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Chicago’s rat hole wasn’t made by a rat

Plus a retirement home for penguins and other weird things we learned this week.

At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.

Coin collectors consider the rare 1804 dollar one of the field’s most desirable trophies.

With human help, the mammals can defy ‘the world’s most fundamental natural boundaries.’

A new book explores how humans evolved to be wired for intimacy. It can save our lives.

Obituaries provide a window into the prevailing traditions and moral values of their time.

In 1986, we had huge leaps forward, tragic steps back, and life-changing innovations.

New book explores the philosophy of addiction.

You can’t hit snooze on your brain.

Microwave Vacuum Drying, or MVD, may be a real MVP for snack foods.

The new designs honor the Constitution, Civil War, and more.