Full Width [alt+shift+f] Shortcuts [alt+shift+k]
Sign Up [alt+shift+s] Log In [alt+shift+l]
60
It’s that time again—mini-stories are back! Get ready for a whirlwind tour of short, surprising, and fascinating tales. This week we have punny highway signs, a PAC funded by exercise, the explosive history behind the Nobel Prize, and some long toes. Let’s get into it! Slow Down, Get There Late with Chris Berube In the
2 months ago

Improve your reading experience

Logged in users get linked directly to articles resulting in a better reading experience. Please login for free, it takes less than 1 minute.

More from 99% Invisible

The Nazi Block

In the heart of Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, an unusual concrete cylinder sits as an abandoned eyesore. At first sight, it might be mistaken for a deteriorating grain silo or a remnant of Cold War infrastructure. But this peculiar structure, known officially as the Schwerbelastungskörper (“heavy load-bearing body”), carries a darker history: it was the first

4 days ago 6 votes
The Power Broker Breakdown Wrap-Up

Join Roman and Elliott one last time as they reflect on their journey with you all through The Power Broker, exploring their favorite moments and answering listener questions in this bonus episode. If you finished The Power Broker with us (or know someone who did), get the 99PI Power Broker challenge coin to commemorate your

a week ago 7 votes
Your Own Personal Jesus

The most popular image of Jesus Christ in the world—a white man with blue eyes, wavy brown hair, and a soft, peaceful gaze—comes from Head of Christ, a 1940 painting by Chicago artist Warner Sallman. It’s been reproduced over a billion times, shaping how millions imagine Jesus. Sallman started as a commercial illustrator, sketching ads

a week ago 14 votes
The Wide Open

When the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973, it was considered a bipartisan home run. The Act established protections for plants and animals on the endangered and threatened species lists, and across the aisle, everyone seemed to agree that it would be bad for a bunch of species to go extinct. When the act went

2 weeks ago 13 votes
Valley So Low

In 2008, a billion gallons of toxic sludge spewed across 300 acres of Tennessee in the middle of the night. It was just before Christmas. At the time, Jared Sullivan was in high school and remembers the disaster. For over fifty years a power company called the Tennessee Valley Authority – or the TVA –

3 weeks ago 12 votes

More in architecture

A Wedge-Shaped House

Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos + Felipe Toro have shared photos of a small wedge-shaped home they completed that’s located on the windy beach of Matanzas, Chile. Surrounded by forests, ravines, and trees, the home is positioned on the only flat space of the land. The construction is characterized by the repetition of a module that houses […]

2 days ago 3 votes
New York City Is Losing Affordable Housing at an Alarming Rate

The problem is that City of Yes was an open call to build with no requirements that lost affordable units be replaced.

2 days ago 2 votes
2025 Summer Architecture Programs for Adults and High School Graduates

Archinect’s 2025 roundup of summer architecture programs continues with Part 2, focusing on opportunities for high school graduates, college students, and adults of all experience levels. Whether you're exploring architecture for the first time or seeking to deepen your knowledge in a specialized area, these courses and workshops — hosted by top academic institutions and organizations across the U.S. — offer a valuable introduction to architectural education. From foundational design skills to advanced topics, there’s something for everyone. Apply early, as spots fill up fast! If you're interested in summer programs for kids and high school students, check out our recently published Part 1.

2 days ago 4 votes
The Nazi Block

In the heart of Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, an unusual concrete cylinder sits as an abandoned eyesore. At first sight, it might be mistaken for a deteriorating grain silo or a remnant of Cold War infrastructure. But this peculiar structure, known officially as the Schwerbelastungskörper (“heavy load-bearing body”), carries a darker history: it was the first

4 days ago 6 votes
“AI Is Just a Tool”—and Other Fictions

AI usurps the freedom to experience the pain, growth, and satisfaction of true artistic and design growth.

4 days ago 6 votes