Category BackStory

Why Is 404 the code for “page not found”?

If you have spent any time on the internet, you have almost certainly encountered the message “404 Page Not Found.” It has become so familiar that it appears in jokes, T-shirts, and even popular culture. But why 404? Is there…

Why do coins have ridged edges?

If you look at any coin, you will notice tiny ridges around its edge. Ever wondered why they’re there? The feature, known as reeding, dates back to the 17th century when coins were made from precious metals such as gold…

Why are courtrooms draped in green cloth?

Walk into an old courtroom almost anywhere in the Commonwealth, and you may notice something curious. The judge’s bench, lawyers’ tables, and even witness stands are often covered with green cloth. It may seem like a decorative choice, but the…

The inner surgery that no ritual can replace

Across cultures and religions, places of worship draw millions of devotees every year. Some wait hours to secure the first glimpse of the deity. Others pay for special access, complete countless pradakshinas, or undertake physically demanding rituals with remarkable endurance.…

How the Gunter chain changed land surveying forever

Long before laser rangefinders, GPS, and digital surveying instruments, land was measured with an ingenious device called the Gunter chain. For more than three centuries, it was the standard surveying tool across Britain, North America, and much of the British…

Can jamun trees foretell a drought?

This year, many parts of India are witnessing an unusually abundant crop of jamun (Syzygium cumini). As photos of heavily laden trees circulate on social media, so do claims that the trees are “predicting” a drought next year and are…