Dave is a freelance journalist who has contributed hundreds of articles to HowStuffWorks since 2007 reporting on every topic under the sun: history, culture, politics, economics, technology, religion and more. He’s also a regular contributor to History.com and a writer/researcher for Stuff You Should Know.
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dave attended Duke University where he earned a B.A. in comparative religious studies and more importantly met his amazing wife Mandy. They have three kids and live in Boise, Idaho.
Recent Contributions
An obscure passage in Genesis mentions a group of superhumans who were the offspring of angels and women. Who were the Nephilim and what do they have to do with the Watchers?
By Dave Roos
Marcus Junius Brutus, torn between loyalty to Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic, played a pivotal role in the infamous assassination that changed history.
By Dave Roos
ADX Florence in Colorado, known as the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies,' houses the nation's most dangerous criminals under extreme security measures.
By Dave Roos & Talon Homer
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Ashura, observed on the 10th of Muharram, holds varied meanings for Muslims: Shia commemorate Hussain's martyrdom, while Sunnis mark events like Moses parting the Red Sea.
By Dave Roos
Junko Furuta's tragic 1988 murder led to lenient sentences for her teenage assailants, sparking debate over Japan's juvenile justice system.
By Dave Roos
Uncover the intriguing history of Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II's architectural homage to Wagner, and the mysteries surrounding its creation.
By Dave Roos
The Aztec death whistle produces a chilling scream-like noise. Learn about its origins, cultural meanings, and theories behind why the Aztecs used it.
By Dave Roos
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Nearly any discussion around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will include the word Zionism. But what does it even mean, and how has Zionism changed over the course of history?
By Dave Roos
The Bible doesn't say exactly when Jesus was born but a close reading of the text gives us clues to a more correct date than Dec. 25. And why was that date chosen away? It has nothing to do with pagan religions.
By Dave Roos & Desiree Bowie
The pink and white blooms of the cherry blossom tree often herald the arrival of spring. But in Japan, the cherry blossom is also a well-loved symbol of fleeting beauty, nostalgia and loss.
By Dave Roos
MapQuest was a household name in mapping technology, but it was later eclipsed by Google Maps and other technology. What is MapQuest up to now?
By Dave Roos
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The seven deadly sins appear in movies, books, and art, but what are they, and who created the list?
By Dave Roos & Zach Taras
Given Pope Francis's recent health challenges, discussions regarding potential successors have emerged within the Catholic community.
By Kevin Bonsor & Dave Roos
In 1983, the worst-ever diving accident occurred. Five people working on an oil rig experienced explosive decompression, which caused them to die in horrific ways.
By Dave Roos
Economists have historically used GDP per capita to determine the richest country in the world, but that's misleading when you consider the tax havens effect.
By Dave Roos & Talon Homer
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There's a whale of a difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain. But whatever you do, don't call someone from Scotland "English."
By Dave Roos
Nutty Putty Cave, near Salt Lake City, Utah, was discovered in 1960 and sealed up forever in 2009. But why?
She's been described as a chariot-riding queen of night and the mother of death, deceit and dreams. Who was this mist-shrouded figure that even the gods feared?
By Dave Roos
The New Testament is full of tense exchanges between Jesus and the Pharisees, who often tried to trip him up in legalistic debates. But who were the Pharisees really and what did they believe?
By Dave Roos & Talon Homer
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Mabon is a fairly recent Pagan festival created to give thanks for the harvest. What does Mabon mean and how is it celebrated?
By Dave Roos
If someone calls your tastes 'bourgeois,' should you thank them or shake a fist? You might have to check first with Moliere, Marx or Migos to be sure.
By Dave Roos
The most famous story about her says she was so hideous that people who gazed at her would turn to stone. But Medusa was a victim of the Greek gods as well as a victimizer.
By Dave Roos
The books that make up the Bible were written over a span of 1,000 years. During that time, many other religious writings were also produced. So, who decided which would be part of the Bible and which would be left out?
By Dave Roos & Talon Homer
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For centuries, colonizers, missionaries and anthropologists have attempted to make contact with the residents of North Sentinel Island. But outsiders have learned the hard way that, even today, the Sentinelese just want to be left alone.
By Dave Roos
The "Don't Tread on Me" flag, showing a rattlesnake on a yellow background, has its roots in America's Revolutionary War but has become a right-wing symbol in the 21st century. What does it really mean?
By Dave Roos