Oisin Curran is a freelance writer, editor and researcher, as well as regular contributor to HowStuffWorks. He writes on subjects ranging from the Antikythera Mechanism and the Fermi Paradox to Tardigrades and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Oisin also is the author of two novels, including his debut novel, Mopus.
Recent Contributions
Malcolm X was the leader of the Nation of Islam for more than a decade. His speeches were often militant in tone and he was labeled a firebrand. But was he simply misunderstood?
By Oisin Curran
The late American marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book, "Silent Spring," debuted 60 years ago. It's still considered one of the finest works of nature writing ever.
By Oisin Curran
In honor of the 25th 007 film, "No Time to Die," we're celebrating these 25 Bond Girls, whose looks all but gave them a license to kill.
By Oisin Curran
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Money laundering is a crime that disguises where money came from — usually because its source was illegal. How can money start out dirty and wind up clean?
By Julia Layton & Oisin Curran
Earning a medical degree takes a lot of hard work, but sometimes destiny calls to other things. These folks abandoned their medical careers to get involved in other lines of work and make their names.
By Oisin Curran
The wildly successful author of numerous children's books, Shel Silverstein was also a poet, musician, illustrator and man of many talents. He even lived in the Playboy mansion for a time.
By Oisin Curran
John F. Kennedy was the youngest man ever elected to be president of the United States. But his term was tragically cut short when he was assassinated in Dallas at age 46.
By Oisin Curran
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No, a tardigrade's not a type of time-traveling police box on "Doctor Who." It's an ancient water bear, of course!
By Oisin Curran
For centuries, people have considered four-leaf clovers to be magical — whether as an aid to spot fairies or a charm to bring the bearer good luck. So what exactly makes these tiny plants so special?
By Oisin Curran
Antagonists. We need them to provide balance to the protagonists of our stories and myths. Because, really, what kind of world would it be if we all just got along?
By Oisin Curran
Howard Hughes was a man of great intelligence and wealth. He was also a man of mystery, secrecy and, ultimately, debilitating mental illness.
By Oisin Curran
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When you think of the California Gold Rush, you probably think a lot of people made millions off that gold, right? Some did, but it wasn't from panning for it.
By Oisin Curran
Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters in American history, ruling the streets of Chicago with an iron fist. So why did it take tax evasion to bring him down?
By Oisin Curran
This classic celebrated its 150th anniversary of publication in 2018. With a new film adaptation coming out this month, we look at how various movie versions of "Little Women" were tweaked to fit the times.
By Oisin Curran
Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd lived a life of crime robbing banks, stealing cars and killing his rivals. Then J. Edgar Hoover named him Public Enemy No. 1 and a massive manhunt was on.
By Oisin Curran
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You know most of their names, but here are the fascinating stories of how six criminal masterminds of the old West lived and died.
By Oisin Curran
Eighty-seven years ago today, the FBI took down America's first true celebrity criminal and the country's Public Enemy No. 1.
By Oisin Curran
Well before he died, Jesse James was a legend. He was a hero even to the man who shot him in the back.
By Oisin Curran
Billy the Kid, whose legal name was Henry McCarty, was almost certainly killed by Lincoln County, New Mexico, Sheriff Pat Garrett, though questions have always lingered about what really happened.
By Oisin Curran
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Forget Ultimate Fighting. Pillow fighting is the real ultimate sport.
By Oisin Curran
We know they died in a hail of gunfire, but who set this criminal couple up and how many shots were fired?
By Oisin Curran
NOAA is expecting widespread flooding throughout the United States this spring. Are you ready?
By Oisin Curran
The decades-old geyser was created by accident when a geothermal company tried to drill a well. Now the strange geyser is open to tourists for the first time ever.
By Oisin Curran
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When we think of big cats in the wild, we most likely think of lions and tigers. But there are so many more amazing wild cats you've probably never even heard of. Here are five.
By Oisin Curran
The first-ever deep-sea exploration of West Java seas netted more than 12,000 marine creatures, including some new species of crabs, prawns and lobsters.
By Oisin Curran