As Benjamin Franklin once quipped: "There never was a good war or a bad peace." That's why these five countries have gotten out of the military business entirely.

How do leopards hide their kills? How does the Australian jumping spider trick its prey? Check out this Animal Planet series to learn more about the "tricks of the trade" that animals across the world use to survive.

Imagine walking through a field and stumbling upon scads of corpses, all in various states of decomposition. It's not the setting for your next nightmare, but rather a very real discipline of forensic anthropology. Get the scoop in How Body Farms Work.

Which photos are the strangest? The funniest? The most awesome? Vote for your favorites, or submit your own photos for a chance to win an iPad on June 1.

Facebook's $38-a-share initial public offering raised $16 billion. That makes it the world's biggest tech IPO and the third biggest in U.S. history. Get the inside story on 10 of the world's most successful IPOs.

Could you win a fight with a giant squid? How do modern-day vampires get their fangs? Where is Bigfoot, anyway? Find out the science behind your favorite monsters in these clips.

Computers can make calculations faster than the human brain. But thinking and calculating are two different things. Can computers be programmed to think for themselves better and faster than we can?

Do you know what it takes to build the ultimate race car? Roll up your sleeves and learn about aerodynamics, carbon fiber and engine technologies that make fast, winning machines.

In an era of constant innovation and discovery, we may not realize that most inventions take years to develop. But sometimes, all it takes is an accident. Here, 10 inventions we'd never be able to enjoy if not for an apparent mistake.

Who was the greatest inventor of all time? Votes are in! Out of sixteen superstar inventors, see who came in first.

Pop principles about love often end up on the chopping block, but classic wisdom about happily-ever-after may not be so spot-on, either. Which time-honored, love-related truisms break down when put under the microscope?

In the battles of the sexes, do brains matter? Learn about brain gender, teenage brains, aging brains and if you could function with only half of the matter between your ears.

These people aren't tied down to a desk job. If you've ever wondered how to dock a container ship, make gummy bears, certify diamonds and design hovercrafts, take a look at these videos.

Do you check your horoscope compulsively, or snort derisively at the very thought? Before you dismiss astrology as nonsense, consider this: It has a long history with timekeeping. We're happy to tell you all about it.

Not all world records involve a stopwatch. See these people cover themselves in bugs, get extreme on unicycles and create huge geysers using breath mints and soda – all for a chance at getting into the history books.

The recently reported $2 billion loss at JPMorgan was a result of risky investing in credit default swaps. While some investments consistently make money, others -- like the ones on this list -- stand a greater chance of losing it.

Astrophysicist, cosmologist, lecturer, cartoon voice actor, author, parent, grandparent -- Stephen Hawking wears many hats, and he also has a few ideas about black holes, time, aliens and wormholes.

What are the odds you'll be struck by lightning? Become a millionaire? Be in a plane crash? Find out with these videos.

Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson resigned last weekend after it was discovered that he listed a degree on his résumé that he didn't really have. Most of us know how to write a résumé, but you'd be surprised at the unnecessary information that people place on them.

It's a bird; it's a plane; it's a stealthy military aircraft. Take a look behind the scenes at special planes and technology used in warfare and peace-keeping.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 was released on Sunday, adding yet another choice to the already vast Android tablet market. With few built-in controls except for a flat touch-screen interface, tablet computers are attractive, highly portable, easy to use and just plain cool. But how do you decide which one is right for you?

What goes on inside the mind of a serial killer? What motivates a stalker? What prevents criminals from feeling remorse? Learn about criminal psychology in these videos.

Graduation is just around the corner, and many new graduates want to get out and see the world. What if you could travel the world and get paid for it? Sound too good to be true? Here are 10 careers designed to satisfy anyone's wanderlust.

Pisa without its precariously tilted landmark is like San Francisco without the Golden Gate or London without Buckingham Palace. Will the peculiarly enduring tower ever vanish from the Italian skyline?

Learn about the science behind surreal and supernatural phenomena, from alien hand syndrome to zombies, in these videos from Stuff You Should Know and Stuff They Don't Want You to Know.

Google has acquired a license to operate self-driving cars -- just one of the technologies on our list. One down, four to go. What else is in store for future cars?

How can meditation help a fighter? How does the U.S. Army use ancient martial arts techniques? How can basic karate moves help you defend yourself against attackers? Learn about the many martial arts disciplines in these videos.

It's hard to believe that we're the only life-form in this vast universe, and scientists are fervently seeking proof of other life-forms. Watch these videos to learn about the technologies used to track down Earth-like planets, and find out what clues we've already found.

Ever wonder if you can go backwards in time and start over? According to the Big Crunch Theory, you can repeat history -- in a couple billion years. Learn all about the Big Bang and what could happen if the universe keeps on expanding.

From UFOs to psychic powers and government conspiracies, history is riddled with unexplained events. Get a closer look at the Stuff They Don't Want You to Know in these videos.

There are millions of shipwrecks on the ocean floor, but not all are valuable. What does it take to find the good stuff? Before you set out on the seven seas to find your retirement cushion, check out these clips.

How warm is too warm? Can reverse global warming or are we all simply doomed. The idea of global warming is well known, if not well understood. Get answers to all your global warming questions in these clips.

Monsters. Rainbows. Magnets. Volcanoes. Kids love 'em. (We do, too.) These videos showcase a variety of wild, weird and fascinating topics to make your offspring's’ jaws drop.

When you think of hypnotism, you might think of an evil genius exerting mind control over humans turned into selfless, obedient zombies. Is there any truth to that image? And can you really use hypnotism instead of anesthesia?

Whether it's the ABG Titan Road Paver or the Odyssey Launch Platform, the Mega Machines series covers some of the world's largest, most heavy-duty vehicles. Check out this playlist for a closer look.

From religion in space to digital immortality, the future is full of profound challenges and astonishing opportunities. Join the staff of HowStuffWorks.com as we explore some of the most promising -- and perplexing -- global issues of the future.

Take a ride down Route 66, explore Yosemite National Park and cruise through the Everglades with the hosts of The Coolest Stuff on the Planet as they explore the United States' most amazing sites.

How can physical mediums convene with the spiritual? Do zombies really exist? What are the origins of the legend of Bloody Mary? Find out in these videos.

Isaac Newton may very well be the greatest scientific genius to ever walk the Earth. He was also competitive, temperamental and fascinated with alchemy. Learn more about Newton and his contributions to science in these videos.

Learn about the history and future of fashion, from high heels to blue jeans, with these videos from the Stuff of Genius and Stuff From the Future.

Whether it’s the flexible straw or the search engine, every invention has a story. Get a closer look at the inventors responsible from everything to dishwashers to dynamite in this animated series by HowStuffWorks.com.

Was it an ancient curse or mere coincidence that caused the death of Lord Carnarvon's archaeological team following their discovery of King Tut's grave? Learn about King Tut and other famous mummies in these videos.

Poisonous plants, malaria-carrying mosquitoes, hungry beasts five times your size and no water for miles. You get the picture: The wilderness is no place to get lost. If you want to make it out alive, you need to brush up on your skills.

People with a penchant for adopting wild animals often find their lives are in danger. Watch these "Fatal Attraction" videos to see what can go wrong when precious pets suddenly turn against their caretakers.

Secretive and silent, the ninja strikes fear into the hearts of peasants and emperors alike. Watch these videos for ninja fact, ninja fiction, and some of the most clever, terrifying weapons used by the shadowy mercenaries of ancient Japan.

The depths of the ocean's might hold the last great frontier for scientists. What's actually down there? See strange creatures and learn about early human expeditions under the sea in these clips.

Superpowers aren't just the stuff of comic book legend anymore. Watch these clips to discover the science behind everything from magnetic levitation to telekinesis to laser weapons.

Was Lizzie Borden guilty? What's the big deal with WikiLeaks? Podcasters from Stuff You Should Know and Stuff They Don't Want You to Know reveal the truth.

Volcanoes are some of nature's most awe-inspiring displays, with everything from exploding mountaintops to rivers of lava. See how volcanoes are formed and watch the devastation caused by eruptions in these videos.

Can dreams predict the future? What about smoking a little nutmeg for clairvoyance? Do animals have a sixth sense that allows that lets them make accurate predictions? Watch these clips for all the answers.

It can be costly -- and a lot of work -- to remodel a home. Before you grab the sledgehammer, get valuable tips from the professionals in these videos.

Every few years, some thrill-seeker invents a new sport while in search of that adrenaline high. It might involve jumping out of planes, rolling down hills in giant balls or taking high speeds to the next level. Would you dare try any of these modern pastimes?

Can humans cause earthquakes? What the heck is alien hand syndrome? Join Chuck and Josh as they explore the some of the coolest (and weirdest) Stuff You Should Know in their television shorts on Science.

Changing a tire can be tricky if you don't know what you're doing. How knowledgeable are you when it comes to changing a tire? Take this quiz and find out!

Fiery explosions, boiling lava, hot ash spewing everywhere -- total disaster is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think "volcano." And, yes, that is certainly a possibility. But do you know what’s really going on when a volcano erupts?

Computers can make life easier, but they also can put your private information at risk. Find out how much you know -- or don't know -- about computer security by taking our quiz.

Stuff You Should Know's mafia episode was so rich with movie references we decided to cook up a quiz. Test your knowledge of cement shoes and tommy guns.

Frankenstein's monster is all up in your pop culture, fighting werewolves and letting you know what he thinks about fire (it's bad). So grab a torch, storm the walls of this quiz, and see if you have what it takes to come out the victor.

How much RAM is in your computer? Do you need more? And if you do, how do you know? Take the quiz to learn everything there is to know about RAM.

As the saying goes, home is where the heart is. But just how does one go about building a home in the first place? Find out some fun facts about this detailed process by taking the quiz.

Artists are the visual historians of society, transforming ideas and events into paintings, drawings, sculptures and more. Certain artists have wielded their craft so successfully that their work, in turn, has influenced history.

It's pretty clear that a doctor makes more money than a fast-food worker. But does a surgeon bring home more bucks than an anesthesiologist? Test your knowledge with the ultimate best- and worst-paying jobs quiz.

From Big Brother security myths to the fabrication of what the Internet actually is, cyberspace is full of fictions of its own. Can you call a myth's bluff? Test your knowledge on what's real and what's not in the globe's largest electronic world.

The topic of murder stirs up fear in almost any context, and serial killing tends to multiply that fear to the tenth degree. Test your knowledge with this serial killer quiz.

Squared off on opposite sides of the Force, it might seem like Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi have nothing in common. One is tall, dark and deadly, and the other's, well, not.

Hydraulic equipment is amazing in its strength and agility. From common backyard machines to the huge machines you see on construction sites, hydraulics make quick work of even the most difficult tasks. How much do you know about hydraulic machines?

Being stranded in the wilderness may make for a good movie, but in reality, it's a harrowing experience. Staying alive may require you to build a shelter, start a fire and even eat bugs for nourishment. Do you have what it takes to survive this quiz?

Grab your pigskin: It's time for football trivia. We don't mean winningest coaches, Heisman winners or team mascots, but rather the nitty-gritty of the gridiron. How does the QB make that ball spiral? Wouldn't "handball" make a better name than "football"? Pad up and get on the field ... the football quiz field, that is.

Sure, a bubble bath can make your bathroom feel luxurious. But wouldn't an HDTV make it even nicer? Take a look at some of the most expensive and outrageous bathroom fixtures -- can you tell fact from fiction?

It's time to step into the time machine and travel back through history. Of course, if you hope to survive, you're going to want to separate what you actually learned in history class from all the historical inaccuracies in the movies.

We live in a radioactive world, and we're not just talking about the times when a nuclear plant is melting down and scaring the heck out of us. How much do you know about the ABGs (or alphas, betas and gammas) of nuclear radiation?

If you're an American and you're reading this, then there's about a 30 percent chance you're addicted to nicotine. If you listened to this podcast, then you should have no problem scoring well.

Java is a popular programming language that's relatively easy to use. Are you a programming guru or a novice? Take our quiz to find out.

Whether racecar driver or casual commuter, odds are you're going to be concerned about engine performance at some point in your driving career. But can you even tell the difference between a camshaft and a stick shift? You will once you take the engine performance quiz.

Monopoly, one of the world's most popular board games, is available in 111 countries and in 43 different languages. It has a complex set of original rules, as well as a number of common player-created rules (otherwise known as house rules). How well do you know them -- and how effectively does your family break them? Test your knowledge by taking our quiz.

Astronauts have a reputation for being the brave and skilled few willing to risk their lives by strapping themselves aboard a rocket and blasting into outer space. But before they can don the orange jumpsuits and go into orbit, they must endure an intense selection and training process. How did guys like Neil Armstrong and John Glenn make it into space?

As far as gadgets go, the world completely changed during the 1980s and '90s. Think about it -- we started the '80s without VCRs and answering machines, and by the end of the '90s, most of us were running around with tiny cell phones in our pockets. Can you guess which of these iconic gadgets was introduced in which decade?

The popular image of concept cars is that they're not just leading edge, but bleeding edge: a little too "out there" to be viable, roadable vehicles anytime soon. But the concepts in this quiz show you can package innovative pizzazz with production-ready practicality.

People donate their bodies to science all the time, usually after death. Here, we highlight 10 scientists who experimented on themselves while they were still alive.

These films look like blooper reels when you compare them to history books. From anachronisms to flat-out lies, creative license reigns in this list.

When you think about space travel, you don't usually take time to wonder how astronauts go to the bathroom. However, the annals of aeronautic history abound with tales of space bathroom mishaps. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Food is something we can't live without. But sometimes instead of nourishing our bodies, it can actually kill us. And it's no cheap (or easy) task to get that food off the market.

Some TV shows are lucky to stick around for a season -- these did that and then some. What made them the longest-running dramas and comedies in television history?

Let's say your vacation tour group ditches you in the outback. Or your car slips off an icy road in the middle of nowhere. Will you have the tools to save your life?

Gentlemen, start your checkbooks! These classic cars each have a history all their own and a price tag to blow your mind. The starting point is $6.9 million if you want one of these beauties parked in your garage.

For more than 150 years, automotive engineers have been continually working on ways to improve the internal combustion engine. What are some of the biggest improvements they’ve made?

There are thousands of apps for the iPhone, and they let you do everything from play games to keep up with stock prices. Some of them are real head-scratchers, though. Do you use any of these weird apps?

By the time space shuttle Atlantis touched down after its final voyage in July 2011, a major shift in strategy for space exploration was already under way. What are NASA's newest programs?

These 10 technologies changed war and the course of history as we know it. Some of these battlefield innovations, like adding grooves to gun barrels, are surprisingly simple. So what else made our list?

Maybe you've heard about Kool Aid or the Family Jams -- but what do you really know about some of the world's most infamous cults?

There's a lot more out there than our measly solar system, and astronomers are becoming more adept at finding those worlds all the time. Here are 10 of their coolest discoveries.

Who can forget all of the famous pitch lines, gizmos and unintentional hilarity packed into late-night paid programming? Infomercials are showy, earnest and often outright deceptive. What are 10 of the best?

Some of the best strategy games -- those that require thinking rather than luck or physical ability -- have been around for centuries, while others have been released in the past decade. Which ones stand out from the pack?

These jobs probably weren't on your list of what you wanted to be when you grew up. But now that you're in the rat race, you may wonder if a dirty job is more profitable than your desk jockey career.

You have a big expense coming up. You need a better car or home, or you want to go back to college. What do you do? Borrow, borrow, borrow -- right? Well, maybe not. Working off of a budget just may save your sanity -- and credit.

Proof that we're living in the incredible future: We can conduct serious business in our pajamas. But what work-from-home jobs are the most lucrative? 

In a pinch, you could probably do without most of the appliances in your home -- but would you want to? Life would certainly be different without these 10.

When a bunch of Twitter geeks get excited about the same thing at the same time, their chatter can crash the whole service. And that's when the dreaded Fail Whale appears.

Distracted drivers: We're not trying to scold you or hasten the dawn of a vehicular nanny state. We're just pointing out some of the most dangerous habits behind the wheel.

You may not be envious of MacGyver's mullet, but having a talent for surviving the elements with only a wristwatch, socks and a soda can is pretty cool.

Most computer-savvy people know about viruses and how to prevent an infection. But what are the most destructive viruses of all time?

It's late at night, you're lying in your tent, and all you can think about are the many reasons a bear might plod into your campsite to eat you. We'll share 10 of them with you.

Casual games are meant to be played for just a few minutes, but some are so addictive you end up playing for hours.

As gas prices continue to rise and global warming becomes more pervasive, more people are using biofuels as a way to save money and decrease their consumption of fossil fuels. And while they're definitely not perfect, they have many advantages over types of fuels.

From smartphone applications to coffee makers, there are many ways simple gadgets can save you money.

The Word Bubbles Game will challenge your verbal agility and put your vocabulary and memory to the test. How many words can you come up with? Exercise your mind and play Word Bubbles today!

In this version of the classic solitaire game, you play through a mountain of cards, eliminating them as you go.

Other sudoku games will let you use cheats, either with or without a penalty. But this game is a different story: one with no cheats!

Play this classic game in 3-D! Just when you think you're stuck, you can rotate the cube to reveal more matches to clear. Mahjongg Dimensions is all about creativity, speed and 3-D memory.

Link letters together to make words. Longer words are worth more points! How high can you score?

If you've ever wanted to build a bike from scratch, you're not alone. Try your hand at piecing together this motorcycle in the Bike Build Game. Once you have everything in place, you can see the real thing!

Are you the ultimate HowStuffWorks podcast fan? Prove it in this word search game with 10 exciting levels, numerous categories and backgrounds inspired by the podcasts.

BenBen the monkey needs your help! It looks like he got himself in some trouble with the local snakes by stealing their rattles. Help him fend off the colorful reptiles one by one in this fun and exciting match-making adventure! With three fantastic chapters, gorgeous visuals and engaging sound, Monkey Gems is one game you'll want to play over and over again!

Watch out for puns, twists, turns, jokes and general trickery as you try to score as many points as you can in this word game.

Alu's Revenge serves up solid gameplay, where stacked stones continue to fall as you use your quick wits and speedy strategy to open the tomb and reveal the jewels inside.

Do you consider yourself a master wordsmith? A superior speller? A vocabulary virtuoso? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, then Word Grid is the game for you.

Take a shot at the all-new excitement of Zuma's Revenge!™, the smashing sequel to one of the biggest hits of all time!

An amusement park classic comes to your desktop. Get some ball-tossing target practice without leaving your chair.

If you're in the mood for a grid-filling game, look no further. You'll find yourself running from mechanical monstrosities as you try to fill in as much of the game board as you can. Keep an eye out for power-ups while you're playing to give yourself a nice boost of speed to help you clear the board even faster!

Visit an old cemetery, a provincial town and other unlikely locations to discover more of these strange letters. With puzzling mini-games, four special help tools and an extra quest to unlock a second mode, you'll be thrilled for hours playing Letters from Nowhere.

Travel through strange new environments, overcome natural disasters, and help appease the gods and their demands. If you succeed, Caesar will be grateful and the gods are sure to smile down on the citizens of Rome.

Find out why this speedy variant of a classic card game is called "Addiction Solitaire."

Numerous hours of challenging discoveries await you in 34 beautiful scenes, 30 mini-games and a host of tricky puzzles.

Figure out the combination with the most letters and move to the next level. A classic word scramble for a digital world. Take a break and exercise your brain all at once!

Are you ready to master a classic crossword challenge? Our online crossword puzzle game is an excellent way to spend some free time building your vocabulary and problem-solving skills, as well as a great way to keep your mind quick and flexible.

Put on your sweatbands and get ready to train your brain! Improve your concentration by matching words and colors in the Color Match Game. Flex your brain and focus your mind, play Color Match today!

With these free jigsaw puzzle games, you won't have to worry about losing a piece under the dining room table.

Take charge of your own Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Cannon, the revolutionary gun that represents the future of U.S. Field Artillery.

Super TextTwist revolutionized casual word games. Now, TextTwist 2 takes it to the next level. Featuring 25,000 words to find, amazing new graphics, and nearly endless family fun, TextTwist 2 is a must-have for word game fans.

Peel back the curtain and visit a 19th century world that never existed in this beautiful hidden object game! The Clockwork Man takes seek-and-find gameplay to new dimensions.

Plant powerful perennials and defend your brain from hordes of hungry zombies in the all-new Plants vs. Zombies -- Game of the Year Edition. The zombies are on the march for tasty brains and only you can stop them!

Enjoy the island fun of Ranch Rush 2, a new tropical farming sequel to the hit game! More than 120 levels of farm-frenzied fun await you in this exciting new adventure.