Technology Mystery

On July 4, 2012, the announcement came that one of the longest-running mysteries in physics had been solved: the Higgs boson, the missing piece in understanding why particles have mass, had finally been discovered. On the rostrum, surrounded by jostling physicists and media, was the particle’s retiring namesake—the only person in history to have an existing single particle named for them. Why Peter Higgs? Drawing on years of conversations with Higgs and others, Close illuminates how an unprolific man became one of the world’s most famous scientists.

Have you ever struggled to concentrate because there are SO many questions buzzing around your brain? Here are answers to seventy-one of the most bamboozling questions and curious queries that you can think of. How many stars are in the night sky? Why don't animals wear clothes? Do plants have feelings? This book will define, debunk, and demystify the trickiest of questions and open your eyes to amazing facts you have never even thought of!

Throughout history, folklore, and mystery, tales have circulated of massive stones being moved through the air effortlessly, seemingly by means of sound. Bizarre? Well, yes, it is. That doesn’t negate the fact that sound was, and still remains, the key to the construction of the pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, the stone figures of Easter Island, and the massive stones at Baalbek, Lebanon. Were they the work of ancient humans, of equally ancient extraterrestrials, or of both?

Do crocodiles really cry? Why do fireflies glow in the dark? What is the rhino’s horn made of? Why does the hare eat its own droppings? Collaborate with authors Arefa and Raza H. Tehsin on their mission as wildlife detectives to find out what really happens out in the wild, and why animals behave the way they do.

With this Junior Genius Guide to Greek mythology, you’ll become an expert and wow your friends and teachers with all the best ancient stories: how Prometheus outsmarted the gods, how Achilles’s heel led to his death, and how we mere mortals always seem to get mixed up in so many misadventures. With cool trivia and fun quizzes to test your knowledge, this guide will have you on your way to whiz-kid status in no time!

In this celebration of the seemingly mundane, Carlsen opens our eyes to the engineering marvels, human stories, and natural wonders right outside our front door. He guides us through the surprising allure of sewers, the intricacies of power plants, the extraordinary path of an everyday letter, and the genius of recycling centers — all the while revealing that this awesome world isn’t just a spectator sport. Engaging as it is endearing, A Walk Around the Block will change the way you see things in your everyday life.

In this riveting account of an area of Appalachia known as the Quiet Zone where cell phones and Wi-Fi are banned, journalist Stephen Kurczy explores the pervasive role of technology in our lives and the innate human need for quiet.

This real-life The X-Files and Close Encounters of the Third Kind tells the true story of a computer programmer who tracks paranormal events along a 3,000-mile stretch through the heart of America and is drawn deeper and deeper into a vast conspiracy.

These are the adventures and discoveries of the scientists who revealed the secrets of the Komodo dragon. This strange creature inspired myth and legend, luring brave souls into the forests of Indonesia to see if the tales were true. In the end, it attracted scientists, who unraveled the mysteries of how such a remarkable creature could exist, how it uses the deadly germs in its saliva to its advantage, and how those microbes may lead to cures for stubborn diseases.

Learn something about everything with 13 mind-blowing facts plus a little myth-buster about every topic under (and including) the sun! Everyday objects from cars and skeletons to pianos and chocolate take young listeners on an incredible factual adventure.

Have you ever wondered: Why a day has 24 hours? Why is there a hole in the doughnut? Why do we light candles on a birthday cake? Like many people, you’ve probably asked some of these questions when you were younger or maybe recently. Well, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover the interesting and maybe slightly bizarre origins of the strange things we do.

How can massive stones slide across the desert untouched? Can lightning really bounce like a ball? Why was it raining fish in Europe in 2004? Nature holds some of our world's strangest mysteries. Some of the best minds on the planet have tried to explain these unsolved phenomena. Listeners can go on an outdoor adventure to explore some of nature's most puzzling mysteries.

Do you embrace mystery? Or do you need to see it to believe it? This series will challenge your position as you explore the unexplained.

This entertaining book encourages young listeners to become creative thinkers. People with great ideas, some famous and some not so much, invented the things we use every day. Inventors like Ben Franklin, the Wright Brothers, Heddy Lamar, and Josephine Cochran dreamed the big dreams that led to lightning rods, airplanes, torpedoes, and dishwashers.

Did you know that a hippogriff is supposedly the offspring of a horse and a griffin? Or that a Greek sphinx generally has a male face, whereas an Egyptian one has a female visage? Where does the skunk ape roam, and how can you spot a kitsune in human form? Is Slenderman the most frightening mythical creature, or is that honor bestowed on the fearsome gashadokuro? This fantastic book introduces the listener to more than 100 mythical beasts and legendary creatures.

From the food to the rides to the entertainment, fairs are fun for so many reasons! This series will bring listeners to fairs big and small to learn about their histories and all the neat things they have to offer.

It’s a monster with sharp claws and pointy fangs. It howls at the moon as it hunts for its next meal. Stories of werewolves have been told all around the world. Is it possible the legends are true?

Ogres have towered over us in popular fairy tales for years. Have you ever wondered what ogres smell like? Do you know where ogres live? Stomp through the chapters of this book to find out the truth about ogres.

It was a beautiful, mythical city sparkling with riches. But many years ago, a huge wave washed away the entire city. Is it possible the legend of Atlantis is true?

Fairies have fluttered through popular fairy tales for many years. Have you ever wondered what fairies look like, where they live, or what kinds of tricks they play? Fly through this book to find out the truth about fairies.