Stories

Highlighting the magic behind people, places, science, and art.

Inside the Mathemagical Event Gathering 4 Gardner

Inside the Mathemagical Event Gathering 4 Gardner

Gathering 4 Gardner invites people from all levels of education and life experience to explore the interdisciplinary fields of mathematics, art, magic, and puzzles.

Armchair Treasure Hunts

Armchair Treasure Hunts

In this exclusive book excerpt from The Puzzler, New York Times-bestselling author A.J. Jacobs details one of the longest ongoing treasure hunts in the world.

Cluebox Puzzles Pack a Story

Cluebox Puzzles Pack a Story

The Cluebox series captures the escape room experience. Here's how German company iDeventure packs stories into puzzle boxes.

One of the Biggest Miniature Museums is in Las Vegas

One of the Biggest Miniature Museums is in Las Vegas

Filmmaker Jessica Oreck has spent her life hunting for the strangest miniature objects—from tiny dice to pinky-tall camels.

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Susanna Bauer crocheting a magnolia leaf

Susanna Bauer Crochets Leaves Into Masterpieces

Susanna Bauer's meticulous designs are made using a hook, thread, and enough muscle control to work down to one-tenth of a millimeter.  

John Pugh's "Revolution" mural on the side of an apartment building

8 People Pushing Anamorphic Art to New Limits

Here are eight anamorphic artists from around the world—including Adry del Rocio and Jonty Hurwitz—that are breaking our brains.

Card Shark Focuses Gameplay Around Sleights and Cheats

Card Shark Focuses Gameplay Around Sleights and Cheats

Card manipulation and sleight of hand take center stage in the latest video game published by Devolver Digital.

A Pepper's ghost effect of a goldfish in a bowl

Spectral Illusions: The Pepper’s Ghost Effect

The illusory stage effect seen in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion traces back to the 1500s. Here's how you can make your own!

Build Your Very Own LEGO® Puzzle Box

Build Your Very Own LEGO® Puzzle Box

Find your Zen by building a puzzle box using common Lego elements.

How One Collector Amassed Over 35,000 Puzzles

How One Collector Amassed Over 35,000 Puzzles

Jerry Slocum has been collecting puzzles since 1941. Now the 90 year old is treasure-hunting across Europe and Asia to find some of the oldest ones in the world.