Kurt Vonnegut is now known as a famous author, but for most of his life he lived in the shadow of his brilliant scientist brother, Bernard Vonnegut.

Fritz Goro/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Kurt Vonnegut is now known as a famous author, but for most of his life he lived in the shadow of his brilliant scientist brother, Bernard Vonnegut.

Fritz Goro/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
You Can Approximate Pi by Dropping Needles on the Floor
Who needs a supercomputer when you can calculate pi with a box of sewing needles?
Left-Handed People Are More Competitive, Says Science
A recent study suggests that left-handed people have an advantage in competitive contexts, while righties tend to cooperate better.
How Can a Locomotive Pull a Long Train That’s Much Heavier?
For railroads, it’s all about managing static and kinetic friction.
Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas Has Another Surprise: It’s Full of Alcohol
Analysis of the tail of 3I/Atlas reveals that it contains an anomalous proportion of methanol, a class of alcohol used in fuels.
Your Vape Wants to Know How Old You Are
Companies hope that biometric age-verification tech in cartridges could put flavored vapes back in business. But it's unlikely to solve the real problems.
Artemis II Mission Launches Successfully
The crew of Artemis II will not descend to the moon, but their capsule will fly over the far side of its surface.
Don’t Expect Big Surprises in the Government’s Alien Files
Donald Trump has ordered the release of files related to aliens, UAP, and UFOs. If previous disclosures are any indication, get ready for a letdown.
COBOL Is the Asbestos of Programming Languages
The most widely adopted computer language in history, COBOL is now causing a host of problems. It's also dangerously difficult to remove.
How Invisalign Became the World’s Biggest User of 3D Printers
Joe Hogan, Align Technology’s plastics-nerd CEO, says you shouldn’t eat with your aligners and that you don’t need to wear your retainers every night.
The US Military’s GPS Software Is an $8 Billion Mess
The GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System was due for completion in 2016. Ten years later, the software for controlling the military’s GPS satellites still doesn’t work.
Stephen Clark, Ars Technica
A Billionaire-Backed Startup Wants to Grow 'Organ Sacks' to Replace Animal Testing
R3 Bio has a bold idea for replacing lab animals: genetically-engineered whole organ systems that lack a brain. The long-term goal, says a cofounder, is to make human versions.
Livestream Replay: The War Machine
A panel of WIRED experts dissected the defense tech industry’s impact on modern warfare.