Victorian Doctors Invented the Vibrator (and Didn't Mention It at Dinner)
In the late 19th century respectable physicians treated 'female hysteria' with manual pelvic massage, then invented noisy mechanical contraptions to stop their hands aching - and yes, the machine was called a medical instrument.Read More 
That Tiny Hole in Your Sternum Nobody Mentions
Some people carry a perfectly ordinary secret doorway in their breastbone and acupuncture enthusiasts should mind their manners.Read More 
Puckle's Revolver: The 1718 Machine That Misfired
In 1718 a well-meaning inventor built a cranky 'repeater' that promised to rain lead and instead delivered embarrassment, pamphlets and a few sad test firings.Read More 
Hag Stones: Holey Rocks That Outsmarted Witches
Tiny holed stones were hung in cradles, stables and boats as talismans against curses, lightning and bad luck-people even peered through them to glimpse fairies.Read More 
Tokyo's Replaceable Flats That Never Got Replaced
A 1972 Tokyo tower of 140 prefabricated 'capsules' was supposed to be swapped out like appliances - but the future forgot to turn up.Read More 
When Your Partner Is Secretly An Impostor (Your Brain's Fault)
Some brains recognise faces but refuse to believe they're real people, insisting loved ones are cunning fakes - and science has a ghastly explanation.Read More 
She Froze To 13.7 C And Walked Out
She plunged under ice in 1999, her heart stopped, her core temperature fell to 13.7 C and doctors dragged her back from the absolute brink; it reads like science fiction but it is proper, stubborn medicine.Read More 
The Floating Trash Island That Isn't
People imagine a plastic continent you could camp on; in reality it's a greasy, invisible soup of microplastics, nets and bad ideas.Read More 
Say One Word Until Your Brain Gives Up
Repeat a word enough and your brain will strip it of meaning like a grumpy mechanic pulling a spark plug.Read More 
The Bloke Who Ate a Plane (Seriously)
Michael Lotito munched bicycles, TVs and even a Cessna 150 - and no, he was not dieting.Read More 