Throughout history, ideas have played a central role in shaping the world that we know and live in today. From looking outward to find solace in the deities that human beings have worshiped for millennia, to explaining something as inexplicable as love, the key ideas and movements that emerged in the past are likely to continue to echo throughout the remainder of human history. Here's an interactive guide to the history of ideas:
To enjoy a video from the history of ideas, simply left-click on one of the rectangles below. You can enlarge the video to full-screen by left-clicking on the bottom-right-hand icon that appears in the video's popup window. To close a video, simply click on the X in the top-right-hand corner of the video's popup window. Enjoy!
Cover image by Deposit Photos.
All the Best TED Talks On Our Site Are Now In One Place!
TED is a source of plenty of wisdom, and this next collection of TED Talks is no exception. Are you ready for some serious knowledge? Come and take a look!
7:05
A Walk Through the Destroyed City of Berlin in July 1945
In this absolutely fascinating restored footage, you get a glimpse of the partly destroyed streets of Berlin in July 1945, mere months after the German surrender.
11:35
10 Countries That Disappeared from the Face of Earth
The world map changes all the time, with many countries appearing and vanishing on it, some in a matter of days or even hours...
9:41
Welcome to a Virtual Tour of Buckingham Palace...
Welcome to Buckingham Palace! Let us guide you around with this interactive 360 degree virtual tour!
See and Hear Your Favorite Cultural Icon!
Einstein, Asimov, Hemingway, Hitchcok and more - Great writers, dazzling filmmakers and musicians, brilliant philosophers and scientists — you can now hear and see them in their own words. Here we present audio and video that captures the words of o
5:04
Take a Midday Stroll Through Ancient Rome!
This extremely detailed cinematic digital reconstruction offers a unique glimpse of everyday life in Ancient Rome
Do You Know the Truth About These Famous Figures?
Hollywood exaggerates and distorts many historical truths with its movies, but now you're about to find out the truth about some important figures...
20 Stunning Photos That'll Bring Happiness to Your Day
without saying anything, here are 20 photos that say a thousand words.
Video Collection: Learn Something New Today!
It's never too late to learn something new, so give these 16 educational videos a watch and see what you can learn today!
Was There Ever a Real Uncle Sam?
Did you know the same man drew both Unce Sam and Santa Claus as we know them today?
13:02
Were You Aware of These English Language Mistakes?
Learn how to avoid some common English language mistakes by understanding some little-known truths.
Thomas Edison’s Most Inspiring Words of Wisdom
These memorable quotes by Thomas Edison still hold meaning for anyone chasing big goals.
17 Fascinating Facts About Anything and Everything
The world never ceases to surprise us. Here are 17 fascinating facts about history, nature, recent affairs, and anything in between.
What’s Written in the Sky? 8 Greek Constellation Myths!
Have you ever wondered how constellations got their names? These stories from Ancient Greece reveal the mythology behind 8 prominent constellations in the sky.
15 Common Words You Are Pronouncing WRONG
Here is a list of some of the most common English words that are generally mispronounced by a majority of us.
53:06
Full Documentary: Exploring The Lost City of Petra
Petra is famous for its intricate rock-cut architecture, as well as for its fascinating water conduit system. Learn about this historical city in this video.
5:38
The Bizarre History of the World's Most Stolen Painting
This painting is like a magnet for misdeeds, and was stolen again and again.
14 Obsolete English Terms We Wish Were Brought Back!
Over the centuries, so many eloquent and useful English words fell out of use. We wish these 14 clever (but sadly obsolete) terms were used more often.
5 Strange Lesser Known Stories About the British Monarchy
Some of these lesser-known rumors about the British Royal Family are funny, some are mysterious, and some are just plain odd...
Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills with These Great Tips
If you want to improve your critical thinking skills then you should take a look at these fantastic tips.
9 Times the Future Was Predicted With Surprising Accuracy!
These 9 historical events were predicted with extreme accuracy, and here is who managed to forecast them...
25 Incredible Facts About the Famous Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan struck fear into the hearts of his subjects during his reign, but there's a lot more to the man than meets the eye. Here are 25 intriguing facts.
5:07
A Christmas Classic Sung Beautifully by Andrea Bocelli
Celebrate the season with Andrea Bocelli’s soulful rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’.
Bizarre But True: 15 Fascinating Facts That Surprised Us
These utterly amazing tidbits will leave you utterly amazed.
18:27
What is the Story Behind the Scilian Mafia?
Explore the origins of the Sicilian Mafia, known as Cosa Nostra.
With Epitaphs Like These, How Can They Ever Be Forgotten?
Check out this collection of 15 different epitaphs, ranging from emotional ones to highly humorous ones.
The 12 Moonwalkers: The Men Who Touched The Lunar Surface
Here's a look at the only 12 men in history to have walked on the surface of the moon.
The Past Was a Surprising and Truly Strange Time...
Here are some truly weird things that people used to do in the past from days gone by.
6 Creepy Mysteries the World Never Solved
There are some mysteries that, despite scientists’ best attempts, still remain unsolved to this day. Here are 6 such mysteries.
11 English Words You Didn't Know Were Actually Spanish!
Learn about the Spanish etymology of 11 words in American English (and a bonus at the end!)
3:25
Saxophone Magic: 15 Unforgettable Solos
These renditions of epic sax solos are just perfect.
2:10
God Thought Long & Hard Before Creating the Dog...
They do say dogs are our best friend, and there is a reason for that.
6:48
Saffron - the Most Expensive Spice on Earth
Most of us can't even get our hands of this rare and expensive spice - saffron. But why is it so exclusive and pricey to begin with? Find out here
51 of the Tastiest Cheeses From All Over the World!
In this article you’ll find 51 of the tastiest cheeses from around the world. Some you have probably heard of, while others will be totally new to you!
10 Insightful Greek Proverbs You've Never Heard Of
Take a look at some common Greek proverbs that are full of wisdom.
Here Are Some Great Greetings to Send This CHRISTMAS!
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Let your loved ones know that you're thinking of them this holiday season by sending one of these greetings.
10:15
This Animal Video is Sure to Turn a Smile Into a Grin!
Get ready to wear a big smile and a giggle, this video will make your day!
15 Rare Photos of Iconic Authors You've Never Seen
Your favorite iconic authors, as you've never seen them before.
Gene Hackman: A Look Into the Life of a Consummate Actor
The following biography chronicles Hackman’s journey from a modest upbringing and military service to Hollywood stardom, his personal life behind the scenes, and the enduring legacy he left after retirement.
These Inventors Changed the World Forever
These inventors changed the world with their inventions, but can you name any of them? Here are 8 little-known inventors that changed the world.
Love Mythology? You'll Love These Informative Animations!
These informative TED-Ed videos delve into some of the world’s most popular myths and attempt to explain them in all their glory!
These Alternate Versions of History Will Blow Your Mind...
Our world is full of 'what if?' questions, since we just love to speculate about how things could have turned out differently. Here are 10 of the best!
These Everyday Optical Illusions Are Truly Mesmerizing!
Optical illusions can be found all around us, as these 15 photos well and truly prove.
Living to 100: The Most Famous Centenarians of Our Time
Meet the famous centenarians of the 20th century.
16:26
You Won't Believe What This Man Builds Single Handedly
Watch as this man single handed builds a beautiful underground house, complete with pool.
5 Ways Learning a New Language Benefits Your Brain
It turns out that knowing more than one language has a variety of positive effects on our brain
9:25
According to the CIA, This Is How Disguises REALLY Work
Ever wondered how spies and intelligence agencies manage to make their disguises look so utterly convincing? Find out here.
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