QR Codes: The Smart Design That Still Works When Damaged

You’ve probably scanned a QR code with a cracked screen, poor lighting, or a code that looks scratched, smudged, or partially torn. And somehow… it still worked. That tiny black-and-white square, which looks fragile and chaotic at first glance, hides one of the cleverest design decisions in modern technology. QR codes aren’t just convenient — … Read more

QWERTY Keyboards: A 150-Year-Old Design We Still Can’t Let Go Of

Right now, as you read this, your fingers probably know exactly where to go. Q, W, E, R, T, Y — a familiar pattern you’ve used thousands of times without thinking about it. Whether you’re typing on a laptop, phone, tablet, or desktop keyboard, the layout is almost certainly the same. What’s strange is not … Read more

Coins: The Circular Design That Survived Centuries

Coins are among the oldest objects humans still use every day. They pass through countless hands, pockets, and purses. They survive drops, scratches, water, dirt, and time itself. And despite thousands of years of technological progress, their basic shape has barely changed. Round. Flat. Circular. This isn’t tradition for tradition’s sake. The circular coin is … Read more

What Was Tsar Bomba? The Most Powerful Explosion Humanity Ever Created

What Was Tsar Bomba? The Most Powerful Explosion Humanity Ever Created On October 30, 1961, the Earth briefly experienced something it had never encountered before—and has never repeated since. High above the Arctic Circle, a single explosion released more energy than every bomb used in World War II combined. The shockwave circled the planet multiple … Read more

Why Are Banknotes Different Sizes and Colors? The Hidden Design Choices That Protect Your Money

Take out a few banknotes from your wallet and place them side by side. Even without reading the numbers, you can probably tell which one is worth more. One feels longer, another wider. One bursts with color, while another feels deliberately restrained. This isn’t accidental. It isn’t decorative. And it certainly isn’t arbitrary. Every banknote … Read more