Crossing the Atlantic in a One-Person Boat: The Story of John Fairfax

This story from 1969 is crazy. John Fairfax decided to paddle across the Atlantic Ocean in a trip that took 180 days. Most people picturing a solo row across the Atlantic think of loneliness as the most daunting obstacles to overcome. But John was estranged from that emotion. He’d always been happy alone, and he […]

7/18 Destination: Savannah, Georgia, USA

50 greatest innovations since the wheel

The Atlantic asked a group of historians, scientists, and engineers to rank the 50 greatest innovations since the invention of the wheel. Here they are. 1. The printing press, 1430s The printing press was nominated by 10 of our 12 panelists, five of whom ranked it in their top three. Dyson described its invention as […]

“The greatest carver does the least cutting.”