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.
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
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!
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15 Historical Photos with a Fascinating Backstory
What story do these 15 photos have to tell? Turns out, quite a lot of stories...
9 Recent Health Warnings You Should Know About!
You should definitely know these health warning signs, because doing so could actually save your life. Enjoy this interactive collection today.
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
View the Destruction Caused By The Year's Giant Hurricanes
This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been a very busy and destructive one. This interactive map will allow you to survey the damage for yourself.
Ever Hear of the 54321 Shopping Method to Buying Groceries?
Grocery shopping has become increasingly stressful as prices continue to climb. Many shoppers find themselves struggling to balance their budgets while still putting nutritious food on the table. But a straightforward shopping strategy is helping peo
12 Crash Course Videos That Will Expand Your Horizons
Quarantine is an opportunity to learn something new! Check out this well-made series of videos that cover almost any topic you can think of!
These Foods Are Considered Bad Luck on New Year’s!
It's considered extremely unlucky to eat these foods before the New Year.
The Fascinating Last Words of Famous Historical Figures
Some of the most important figures in world history, along with some of the most notorious, had some fascinating things to say just before they left this world.
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The Different Origins of Fruit: A Fascinating Discovery...
Where does fruit come from? Find out here.
18 Fun Facts You Likely Never Heard of Cutely Illustrated
Don't the cute exterior of these illustrations deceive you. This is a real treasure trove of fascinating facts about the world we live in
20 Cognitive Biases Ruining Our Decision Making Process
If you find it hard to make a decision, these cognitive stumbling blocks could be what's affecting your behavior.
10 Unmissable Historical Fiction Novels You Must Read
If you’re a fan of history, then these books have to be on your to-read list.
These Archeological Finds Continue to Baffle Researchers
Some archeological discoveries that have been made simply cannot be explained away by modern researchers. Here are 15 of these baffling finds.
These 15 Interesting Facts Really Surprised Me!
Our world is full of surprises, amazing stories, funny coincidences and events you've never heard of - so we've collected 16 of them to share with you ...
14 Positive Stories to Bring Some Cheer Amidst the Gloom
These positive news stories show that there are still things to smile about.
Turns Out There’s a Chart for Literally Every Little Thing
Learn something useful and fun with these helpful charts!
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?
These Wonderful Shots Are From Many Special Times Gone By
Nostalgia can be a beautiful thing, and these beautiful black and white images reinforce that notion. Jump back into the past with these shots.
The Golden Age of Old Hollywood: The People We Loved
Look at these gorgeous pictures to see how stars used to be...
You’re Wrong About These 10 Historical “Facts”
We list 10 common beliefs about famous historical figures and places that were all wildly misconstrued - from Julius Caesar’s birth to the black ninja uniform.
How I Would Love to Walk in New York of a Century Ago
These images of old New York, supplied by the Library of Congress, give us an idea of what life was like in the early 1900s in this city.
The Unlikely Chance Encounters That Shaped the World
One chance meeting could change history. Check out the stories of the most world altering encounters that happened completely at random.
Thomas Edison’s Most Inspiring Words of Wisdom
These memorable quotes by Thomas Edison still hold meaning for anyone chasing big goals.
14 Famous Disappearances That Still Baffle Investigators
These fanous disappearances haunt our collective imagination.
14 Fascinating Museum Treasures That Stole the Show
These 14 museum finds are truly impressive.
12 Misnomers That Have Been Fooling Us All Our Lives
The true stories behind 12 popular misleading misnomers are explained here.
24 Amazing Antarctica Facts to Thrill Your Friends With
Antarctica is the place that people know least about. But after you read this, you'll be able to amaze them with some stunning facts.
15 Intriguing Facts About the World Around Us
A whole lifetime wouldn't be enough to learn all there is to know about the world. Here are 15 fascinating facts you probably didn't know.
9:16
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!
10 English Words That Come From Native American Languages
Some seemingly ordinary English words, such as barbecue, raccoon, and even squash, actually come from Native American languages and it's fascinating!
These Famous Characters are Based On Real People...
Did you know that certain characters draw heavily on real-life people? Here are 10 iconic characters that were based on people that really existed.
WW2 Changed These Places Greatly. How Do They Look Now?
Incredible! This is how the war has changed these places.
12:39
WATCH: 110-Year-Old Supercentenarian Talks of Life
Born in 1906, and having served in the South Pacific during WWII, Richard Overton is the US' oldest living veteran. Watch this video about his remarkable life.
This Family Moved to the Arctic Circle to Live in a Dome
This Norwegian family is incredibly bold - its members chose to move to the Arctic Circle to live there permanently. Their home is also sustainable. Take a look
9 Extraordinary Women Who Beat Men at Their Own Games
These 9 women are among the most important names in history, but do you know their names and inspiring stories.
15 Rare Photos of Iconic Authors You've Never Seen
Your favorite iconic authors, as you've never seen them before.
You’d Be Surprised at How Valuable These Old Items Are!
These 9 ordinary old items that could be extremely valuable today. Some of them may be collecting dust in your home right now...
The Medieval Disease That’s Perplexing Science to This Day
Past epidemics have turned into a hot topic recently, but there is one disease that seems to be forgotten. What is the sweating sickness and how did it originate?
Real-Life Superheroes: Their Stories Will Amaze You
These real-life superheroes deserve recognition!
Incredible Story: The Woman Who Can SMELL Parkinson's
In this piece, we'd like to introduce you to Joy's story, the series of events that led her to "encounter" Parkinson's disease, and its significance for the future of the medical world.
These 6 Mysterious Objects Can't Be Explained by Anyone
Archaeology is a very rewarding discipline, but there are some mysteries that never get solved. Take these 6 ancient objects. What they are is anyone's guess!
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
11:02
The Incredible History of China's Terracotta Army
China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, had built a platoon of clay soldiers to accompany him in the afterlife. Find out more about this unusual piece of history.
The 20 Most Impressive and Random Collections People Keep
We have all heard of a stamp or comic book collection, but we bet you have never seen collections like these before.
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!
How 10 Ordinary English Idioms and Phrases Began...
Many English phrases and idioms have fascinating histories behind them, here is a selection of 10 astounding examples.
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