SHORT STORIES

The Rube Who Invented Goldberg's Machine

Since 1912 Rube couldn’t leave the house without being asked about shoeboxes. Before he patented the concept, millions of Americans had two options at the shoe store: wear them home, or tie the laces together and drape the shoes over their shoulders. Occasionally shoppers would slip one pair on their thumbs, the old pair on their forefingers and walk home barefoot to reduce wear. 

Making, Forgetting, and Breaking the World's Most Uncrackable Code

No one in the country had heard much of New Abago until the Red 40 revolts began. But after a White House intern cleverly googled, “Where does Red Dye 40 come from?” it was discovered that the remote country sat atop a reservoir of the now-coveted resource. Two days later, boots were on the ground.