Distillations magazine
Distillations articles reveal science’s powerful influence on our lives, past and present.
From Barbers and Butchers to Modern Surgeons
How Joseph Lister’s application of germ theory revolutionized surgery in the mid-19th century.
What’s That Smell You’re Reading?
Sniffing out a peculiar love of books.
Cat Craze
Do cats mess with your brain?
Old Friends
Through fame, controversy, and peril Josiah Wedgwood and Joseph Priestley’s bond endured.
Sketch of a Scientist
An illustration of a biochemist connects two British political icons.
Braving the Elements: Why Mendeleev Left Russian Soil for American Oil
The story behind a rare work by the father of the periodic table.
Fit as a Fiddle: The Remarkable Lives of Cremonese Violins
About half of the 1,100 instruments made by master luthier Antonio Stradivari have been lost or destroyed in the past 300 years. Should the instruments that remain be played or preserved?
The Art of Memory
A memento reveals how the demand for cheap copies of famous paintings helped democratize art ownership in the 19th century.
The Scent of a Molecule
Can artificial intelligence help us decipher smell?
A Giant of Astronomy
William Herschel had a conflicted relationship with his biggest creation.
Stradivari and the Search for Brilliance
Can science tell us what makes a Stradivarius so special?
Concrete Solutions
Making eco-friendly cement is easy; the hard part comes later.
Data from Disaster
Many tragic accidents have provided unexpectedly valuable information for scientists.
Greetings from Isotopia
Why would anyone visit a radioactive ghost town or the remnants of a nuclear reactor?
Our Mutual Friend
Candy stores in the 19th century sold sweets as deadly as they were delicious.
The Birds, the Bees, and the Froggies
A globe-hopping doctor and a weird amphibian produce a fast, inexpensive pregnancy test.
Science and Disability
Scientists with disabilities have frequently faced intolerance and prejudice in their careers.
A History of Violence
A painting bears the mark of Nazi brutality but also speaks to our capacity for kindness and bravery.