Edgar B. Herwick III
WGBH
Boston, MA, United States
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Past articles by Edgar:
Why is Massachusetts a commonwealth, not a state?
It's a distinction without a difference, Curiosity Desk's Edgar B. Herwick, III found. → Read More
Massachusetts has seven (yes, seven!) state songs. But, is it enough?
Meet the seven: Original state song, patriotic song, ode, folk song, glee club song, ceremonial march and a polka number. → Read More
How did the MBTA train lines get their colors?
It's Boston lore, but probably not the story you've heard. → Read More
Pigeons are everywhere, but have you ever seen a baby one?
Worcester's Bill Hughes hasn't. For years he's wondered why. → Read More
Why do so many Massachusetts' town names end in 'ham'?
Here's a hint: Each one has a counterpart in England. → Read More
Bostonians tell us: What are the unwritten rules of life in Beantown?
This week, the Curiosity Desk heads through the looking glass for an upside-down, inside-out take on our usual question-and-answer format. Instead of digging for answers to your questions, I headed out to Copley Square to get answers from you about the unwritten rules of Boston. Or is it Beantown? Check out the answer to that and other insights into our city's quirks and eccentricities. → Read More
What’s the difference between a rotary and a roundabout?
Plus, other Curiosity Desk audience questions answered. → Read More
How do fruit flies appear, seemingly, out of nowhere?
They may be a blight on bananas, but they're a boon for biochemistry. → Read More
Why do all microwaves have the same 'beep'?
We gathered as many microwaves as we could get our hands on. → Read More
Do birds have a sense of smell?
Local bird lover John Goldthwait has wondered for years. → Read More
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins Into Jack-O'-Lanterns For Halloween?
It's a tale thousands of years in the making. → Read More
Is It Really Illegal To Remove That Tag On Your Mattress?
It all goes back to the mattress-making industry’s “wild-wild west” phase. → Read More
As We Close The Book On Summer, What (And Exactly When) Are Those Dog Days?
And what do they have to do with the ancient Greeks, the Earth's orbit and bloodletting? → Read More
Boston Archdiocese To Launch First New Catholic School In Half A Century — Online
Lumen Verum Academy will be a "blended learning" experience. → Read More
MOXIE Has Pulled Breathable Oxygen Out Of Thin Martian Air
MIT's Michael Hecht, MOXIE's chief scientist, is "giddy." → Read More
Massachusetts' New Pre-Registration System For COVID Vaccination: An Explainer
How does it work? What will I need? We got you covered. → Read More
The Pandemic Has Transformed The English Language
Lockdown, super-spreader, bubble, cancel -- how the COVID-19 pandemic has added new words and meanings to our pandemic vocabulary. → Read More
Can We Make Oxygen Out Of Thin (Martian) Air? MIT's Michael Hecht Has The MOXIE To Try
MOXIE is one of seven scientific instruments aboard NASA's Perseverance rover. → Read More
Computers Gave Us The Word Multitasking, But Can We Actually Do It?
"When you think you’re multitasking what you’re actually doing is task switching," says an MIT neuroscientist. → Read More
COVID Has Come, And COVID Will Eventually Go, But Snow Space Saver Controversy Is Part Of Boston's Soul
Walsh also addressed how the homeless and the elderly will fare this winter. → Read More