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.
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Animal Spies: Fascinating Stories of Non-Human Agents
Who raises less suspicion than innocent animals? Learn of the incredible cases in which animals were trained and used for espionage.
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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.
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History: What Was Life in Germany Like Right After WWII?
From the ashes of the Third Reich, discover how the struggle for survival in a destroyed capital sowed the first seeds of the Cold War.
See and Hear Your Favorite Cultural Icon!
Einstein, Asimov, Hemingway, Hitchcok and more - Great writers, dazzling filmmakers and musicians, brilliant philosophers and scientists โ you can now hear and see them in their own words. Here we present audio and video that captures the words of o
15 Facts So Fascinating Youโll Have to Pass Them On!
A few interesting facts make even the most mundane topic fascinating. Check out these 15 facts across many different topics.
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The Fascinating Tricks Behind 1920 Movie Stunts
Prepare to be amazed by the masters of 1920s movie magic.
How Long Does it Take to See Results From Exercises?
To help clarify what realistic progress actually looks like, we spoke with Micky Lal, a public health professional with a master's degree in kinesiology and more than a decade of experience as a clinical health educator. Here's what he wants you to k
You Will Love This Collection of Rare Historical Photos
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We kind of take surnames for granted, as they are just passed down to us. But every name has an origin and meaning, and some might surprise you.
Keep a Conversation Flowing With These Historical Facts
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10 Admirable Female Warriors Everyone Should Know About
The stories of these warrior women are worth remembering, as their achievements were as admirable as those of Alexander the Great or Napoleon
Do You Know The Origins of These Common Phrases?
There are many phrases that we use in English that we never give a second thought to. Here are 9 common phrases with rather sinister origins.
17 Fascinating Facts About Anything and Everything
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Meet the 10 Most Influential Figures of the Renaissance
Learn about the 10 most influential characters from the rebirth of Western civilization, including sculptors, painters, architects, writers, humanists, scientists, and philosophers.
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What Are the Odds?! - 20 Creepy Historical Coincidences
These are some of the creepiest, and most spine-chilling coincidental occurrences in history...
Boost Your Knowledge & Confidence with These Facts
These 20 facts will help boost your knowledge.
Do You Know What All These Acronyms Stand For?
There are many famous acronyms around, but do you know what they stand for? Here are 21 acronyms you've always wondered about.
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Discover Similarities Between Ancient & Modern Math
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8 Ordinary English Words With Surprisingly Spicy Origins
The origins of all these 8 seemingly innocent words - e.g. gymnasium, avocado, and nice - are not for the faint of heart, as they're quite naughty!
13 Ways the English Language Changed Completely
English has changed so dramatically over the years, that texts from the medieval era are barely legible for modern English speakers. Why?
Spooky! Science Can't Explain These 8 Phenomena
Here are some of the most common inexplicable phenomena - from ghosts to man-like beasts, to unexplained feats of the mind itself.
The 10 Most Powerful Regrets People Have at the End
What are the 10 biggest regrets people have at the end of their days? Find out the truth...
The English Language Desperately Needs These German Words!
Take a look at these 21 incredibly powerful words that the English language desperately needs to adopt.
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A Soulful Harp Cover of the Song 'The Sound of Silence'
Don't miss this soulful and dreamy harp cover of the classic song 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel performed in a forest!
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Hollywood exaggerates and distorts many historical truths with its movies, but now you're about to find out the truth about some important figures...
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6 Ancient Kingdoms You Were Never Taught About
You've probably never heard about these fascinating ancient kingdoms.
10 Incredible Autobiographies We Should All Be Reading...
These autobiographies are absolute must-reads for you to enjoy. They are written by some of the world' most famous people, so you should definitely have a read.
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This Documentary Explains How the Earth Came Into Being
Ever wondered how the planet that we call home came into being? Well, this informative documentary will clear all that up for you! Take a look!
8 Well-Known Mysteries We Never Knew Had Been Solved
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How About Learning Some Fun SLANG From Colonial Times?
Here are 14 fascinating words from Colonial times that sadly didnโt survive until the present days, but we certainly think theyโre worth bringing back!
These Quotes Are Often Misused or Misunderstood By People
There are many famous quotes that get used continuously by people around the world, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're being used properly.
4:56
Historyโs First Author Is Largely Unknown, Who WAS She?
Meet the First Author in History - Enheduanna, an ancient Sumerian high priestess with a tragic and heroic life story...
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What Did the Future Mean to 1958 High Schoolers?
Peep into a high school debate from 1958 about the teenager's future. Are their arguments still relevant today?
You'd Best Think Twice Before Consuming These Delicacies!
Here are 10 dishes that can give you an adrenaline rush stronger than that from any roller-coaster, while testing your luck better than the lottery.
What Does the Color of an Egg Yolk Mean? Find Out Here!
Ever wondered what the color of an egg yolk says about the quality of the egg? If so, then wonder no more...
12 Secret Historical Facts You Never Heard
12 historical facts you may have never heard of before are presented here.
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Learn All About the History of the English Language
Ever wondered where the English language came from and how it evolved over time? If so, then this is the perfect video for you!
27:39
5 Terribly Disastrous First Contact Stories from History
Each story is a lesson in misread intentions, power struggles, and the high stakes of meeting the unknown. Watch how these pivotal moments shaped the world.
10 of the OLDEST Perfumes in the World
Here's a list of 10 perfumes on the scale from vintage to antique you can still buy today WITHOUT breaking the bank!
These American Facts Are The Strangest I've Ever Heard
We all know the saying "truth is stranger than fiction", and judging from these 15 strange facts, it can certainly be applied to the USA, too!
These Handy Charts Offer All Sorts of Practical Knowledge!
These charts have a lot of practical info, like how to make a wind-proof fire, or how the color of a specific fruit can tell you which antioxidants it contains.
Step Back In Time: A Glimpse Into '50s and '60s New York
New York City was a vastly different places in the 1950s and 60s. These black and white photos by Vivian Maier captured it perfectly.
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True Crime Story: The Shotgun Booby-Trap
The case of Bertha Briney and the house that was booby trapped with a shotgun...
1:40
The Man Who Saved 669 Children
Sir Nicholas Winton organised the rescue and passage to Britain of about 669, Czechoslovakian children, mostly Jewish, destined for the Nazi death camps before World War II in an operation known as the Czech Kindertransport. This video is the BBC Pro
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17 fascinating photos of beauty procedures, treatments, and practices from the first half of the 20th century that look strange and curious today
15 Quotes by Meryl Streep That Inspire Everyone
Meryl Streep, the queen of acting, has shared many wonderful words on life and success that everyone will find inspiring.
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