18 Items Tagged

Economics

To Pay Rent in Medieval England, Catch Some Eels

The “Surprised Eel Historian” has mapped every eel rent recorded in medieval England.

Leah Hamilton May 18, 2023

What’s the Real Christmas Tree Capital of the World?

At least a half dozen communities in North America have claimed the title.

Justin Franz December 7, 2022

London, England

Museum of London Docklands

A museum that chronicles the interesting and often dark history of the London docklands, once one of the major trading ports of the world.

When Ships Are Abandoned, Stuck Sailors Struggle to Get By—and Get Paid

“We are satisfied with little, but even that little is impossible today.”

Federico Formica November 17, 2020

In 1930s New York, the Mayor Took on the Mafia by Banning Artichokes

Gangs and mafiosos have a long history with food crime.

Mark Hay January 17, 2020

New York, New York

Matryoshka at Wall Street Bath & Spa 88

This Russian bar-restaurant lies within a three-story underground bathhouse.

For Sale: Gold From One of the Worst Shipwrecks in U.S. History

Much of the cargo is still missing, but for different reasons.

Matthew Taub March 4, 2019

HSBC Building Feng Shui Cannons

Two cannon-like cranes were installed on top of the bank building to fend off bad feng shui.

Lisse, Netherlands

Black Tulip Museum

A journey through 430 years of bulbiculture in the Netherlands.

The Nazi Spy Tactic That Almost Destroyed Britain's Economy

The German army's Operation Bernhard sought to flood the British economy with counterfeit bills.

Lizzie Philip January 9, 2019

The Glendale Steps

An elegant sandstone stairway built by the WPA still connects two neighborhoods in Akron.

A Time-Twisting Visit to the Museum of Capitalism

How artists and curators are attempting to defamiliarize America's current economic era.

Cara Giaimo September 5, 2018

An All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant Went Bankrupt Because People Ate Too Much

Unlimited hot pot gone wrong.

Paula Mejia June 18, 2018

When Two Economists Scientifically Ranked New York's Best Deli Sandwiches

The Madansky-Shubik experiment settled one beef and started many more.

Jessica Leigh Hester June 7, 2018

science fiction

How Much Would Chinese Food Cost on the Moon in 2080?

Andy Weir on creating a believable food culture for his latest sci-fi novel.

Alex Mayyasi February 20, 2018

Why a Small Town in Washington State Is Still Printing Wooden Money

In Tenino, a Depression-era tradition lives on.

Eric Grundhauser February 12, 2018

The Sweet Monopoly That Enriched the Mormon Church

A divine revelation led to the sugar beet business.

Beth Ward January 25, 2018

Adjaruli Khachapuri

Economists use this cheesy bread as a metric for cost of living between Georgian cities.