Margaux Roberts

It’s almost surreal to think that one of the most groundbreaking ideas in the history of science—natural selection—might have never seen the light of day. Charles Darwin, the man who shook the foundations of biology, almost kept his theory locked away, quietly tucked in his notebooks. Imagine a world where the phrase “survival of the … Read more

It’s wild to think how close the Wright brothers came to throwing in the towel after a nasty crash nearly crushed their dreams. You know the story—two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, fiddling with gliders and engines, all against the odds. But what often gets lost in the history books is the real grit behind … Read more

Countless nights, stargazers and astronomers have gazed up at Saturn, marveling at those shimmering rings. You’d think something so iconic and spectacular would have been understood in an instant, right? Nope. For a long time, Saturn’s rings were a cosmic enigma, mistaken for something entirely different—moons. Yes, moons. It sounds almost laughable now, but that’s … Read more

It’s wild to think about now, given how iconic Apollo is—the moon landing, the giant leaps, the “one small step” moment etched into collective memory. But let me throw this at you: The Apollo missions nearly got cut dead before they even really launched into history. Yeah, the same ones that defined a generation, sparked … Read more

Imagine stumbling upon a dusty slab of rock, buried under centuries of sand and silence, without a clue that it would one day crack open the ancient world’s most stubborn code. That’s exactly what happened with the Rosetta Stone—a colossal game-changer that nearly slipped through history’s fingers before scholars could piece together its secrets. How … Read more

There’s a curious twist in history tucked away in the name of the Pacific Ocean, one of the grandest bodies of water on this planet. You might think the name “Pacific” was just a straightforward choice—after all, it’s supposed to mean peaceful, right? But how many times have you heard someone say, “Peaceful? Have you … Read more

It’s wild to think about a world where Velcro was nearly tossed aside as a silly gimmick. Imagine slipping into your sneakers and—oh wait—no easy fastenings, because the genius invention we all take for granted was once mocked, even dismissed by the very people who could have helped it soar. Velcro almost tripped and fell … Read more

Imagine living in a world where darkness isn’t just a nighttime visitor but a constant companion strangling your evenings, your work, your very way of life. That was the reality before the lightbulb became a household staple. But here’s the kicker: the lightbulb, as we know and cherish it today, barely clawed its way out … Read more

There was a moment, believe it or not, when the Great Wall of China—a hulking, winding fortress that stretches thousands of miles—stood on the brink of irrelevance. Almost cast aside like one of those forgotten relics gathering dust in a museum basement. It’s hard to imagine now, with the Wall’s global swagger as a symbol … Read more

Ever wonder what would have happened if the very first email had never zipped across the wires? Like, what if the guy who sent it decided not to press “send”? Today, email feels as natural as breathing. It’s how we keep in touch, plan weddings, squabble over weekend plans, and yes, drown in newsletters about … Read more