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
14:32
This Old Interview Sheds Light on 19th Century Living
This collection features rare, restored interviews with individuals born in the nineteenth century
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...
Historical Overview: Timeline of the US Healthcare System
This interactive infographic reviews the historical eras in USA healthcare since 1943 and until today.
Can You Guess the English Word With Over 600 Meanings?
The English language has been around for so many centuries, it has gathered quite an elusive and industrious history, as seen in these facts
12:17
What the Japanese Thought of the First European Explorers
This video shows how Japanese historians described the first contact with Europeans, and it’s curious to say the least!
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 Essential Legal Terms That Sound Confusing to People
If you want to understand legal representatives better and simply enjoy your favorite legal TV show to the fullest, learn these 15 legal words and phrases.
7 Creepy Historical Facts You Won’t Soon Forget
These true historical facts prove reality can be more creepy and disturbing than any ghost story.
From Ancient Persia to Modern Iran: A Sweeping History
Let us take a journey through the long and fascinating past of the ancient land of Iran.
These Words Wouldn’t Exist Without These 10 Famous Authors
Learn of 10 commonly-used English words that were coined by famous authors and philosophers.
20:44
Of the Transformative Power of Classical Music...
A fascinating TED talk by Benjamin Zander.
6 Facts You May Have Not Known About King Charles
Did you ever know Prince Charles also dabbles in art? And what about his musical skills? Let's get those royal facts.
You Won't Find These Unusual Facts in An Encyclopedia!
In this article we have collected some incredible facts about our world that you definitely won’t find in an encyclopedia! Take a look!
In the 1800s, They Thought We'd Be Living Like This Today?
The European artists who created the postcards below were asked to predict what life would be like in 2000.
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.
10 Unspoiled Fossils of Animals & Other Items Explained
Every year, new amazing fossils are uncovered, and in this article, we explain some impressive recent finds.
Discover How This Board Game Saved Thousands During WWII
Find out how a simple board game helped around 20,000 British prisoners escape from German camps during World War II.
13:27
Can You Guess How Much These Luxury Properties Cost?
Take a brief tour of the lavish homes of America's billionaires.
12 Oddly Specific and Often Funny Terms You Didn’t Know
Did you know the space between your eyebrows has a name? Or what a tittle is? Learn these oddly specific and quite funny terms in this article.
7:55
Welcome to Professional Santa Claus School!
Peek into the classrooms of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan. This is where they make Santas!
The Mandela Effect: How Collective False Memories Occur
When masses of people share false memory that didn't actually occur, it's called the Mandela Effect. Learn more about this heavily debated topic.
10:42
Meet the 10 Most Dangerous Creatures from the Greek Myths
Greek mythology is filled with some truly fascinating and terrifying creatures. Get to know more about a few of them.
7:20
Hallelujah! Watch Leonard Cohen Perform His Popular Song
Watch Leonard Cohen spellbind a London crowd with his magical rendition of the "Hallelujah" song.
Just Wanted to Say: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Halloween is the time for ghouls, witches and strange bumps in the night. Share some of your holiday excitement by sending these video greetings to a loved one!
9:01
The Problem with Concrete and What Can Be Done About It
Concrete literally makes up the cities we live in, yet it also puts us in danger. What can be done about it? Find out in this video
12 Practical Infographics You’ll Want to Save For Later
You’ll surely enjoy this collection of charts. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge about our health, nature, and human society.
17 Historical Photos That Tell Unforgettable Stories
We’ve gathered 17 fascinating photos and facts that offer a unique glimpse into the past.
The Weird and Wonderful History of Perfume!
Perfume has been around for centuries and this article takes a look at its strange history.
Choose a Word, and I’ll Tell You Where You’re From
Let’s do a quick test: in your mind, count the number of syllables in the word ‘caramel’, and let us reveal where you’re from. Click here to find the answer.
3:37
This Famous Speech is Still Amazing Today!
One of the greatest speeches ever made, for the love of freedom, the love of human beings.
20 Astounding Things Changed Forever By Time
Here are 20 photos of astounding things that were changed forever by time.
25 Old Photos That Show How Different the World Used To Be
Check out this amazing collection of vintage pictures that show us how much the world around us has changed.
Where Did Famous Tongue-Twisters Come From?
Many traditional tongue twisters have long histories full of unexpected twists and turns - not unlike the acrobatics our tongue goes through as we pronounce them.
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
7:04
48 Names For Things You Never Knew Had Any
Watch this fascinating video that will reveal to you some words you'll never hear spoken and yet describe things you see every day!
A Dying Father's Heart Moving Gesture...
A beautiful and touching gesture by a dying father.
13:08
The Epic Battle of Stalingrad Comes to Life
One of the most epic battles in history, and the biggest of WWII comes to life and explored in this in-depth video.
I Wish They Taught Me These Math Tips at School
Bad at math? Learn how to use these quick and easy methods.
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?
13 Geniuses, Who On Some Level, May Have Been a Little Mad
These geniuses may have been smart, but they are incredibly weird too!
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.
These 11 Alcoholic Drinks Have a Fascinating History!
In this article, we’ll tell you about the truly fascinating origins of 11 time-honored cocktails!
12 Fascinating Facts About World War II
These snippets peel back the textbook narrative to reveal humanity, ingenuity, and sheer absurdity beneath the battles.
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!)
7 Guns that Changed History
This article explores famous firearms’ backstories, the events they were part of, and the legacies they left behind.
6 Famous Places And Objects Which Never Existed
If you hear a story enough times, eventually you will start believing it's true. Here are 6 examples of famous historical places and objects which never existed...
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