Popular Mechanics

Discover the latest in technology, engineering, and tools with Popular Mechanics. Plus, get essential advice on your home and car, useful DIY ideas, in-depth explanations on how things work, and more!

1 My Pop Life • EXPERT HACKS, GEAR RECS & LIFE-TESTED WISDOM FROM OUR STAFF

Popular Mechanics

2 Can’t Stop Thinking About • STRANGELY COMPELLING AND COMPELLINGLY STRANGE TOPICS OUR STAFF IS OBSESSING OVER

ELON MUSK WANTS TO UPGRADE YOUR BRAIN

Teaching Quantum Materials How to Remember

WHAT WE’RE LEARNING FROM SEA SLUGS’ GIANT NEURONS

How to Recover a Stuck Vehicle by Yourself

SELF-RECOVERY AND SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS

How to Build a Particle Collider on the Moon—And Why We Should

WHAT IS A DYSON SPHERE?

There’s Now a Way to Make Soldiers Invisible

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOLDIER CAMOUFLAGE

Did Ancient Supernovae Change the Course of Life on Earth?

I Spy: Iron-60

How to Use Math to Beat Everyone at Pool

Is It Possible to Build a Can’t-Miss Pool Table?

The Science Behind the Reality-Bending Mandela Effect

Planting False Memories on Purpose

THE FATAL ENGINEERING FLAW BEHIND THE DEADLIEST ACCIDENTAL BUILDING COLLAPSE IN U.S. HISTORY

HOW ONE FAILURE CHANGED CONSTRUCTION FOREVER

THE HOLY GRAIL OF BATTERIES IS HERE • Solid-state lithium batteries can last 25 years and charge an electric vehicle in minutes.

HOW I RESTORED A LEGENDARY WOODEN WWII FIGHTER PLANE • Britain delivered more than 6,700 de Havilland DH.98 Mosquitos during WWII, but when Denholm’s team began their build, none of the planes were airworthy.

WHEN MOSQUITOS CRASHED THE NAZIS’ PARTY

Do Everything Better. • “DO EVERYTHING BETTER” IS FAIRLY BROAD. BUT THINK OF IT IN THE CONTEXT OF GEAR: The best product is the one that facilitates, helping you accomplish whatever you’re after more easily, efficiently, and to the best of your abilities. Whether you’re building a deck, fixing a meal as part of your new cooking passion, or running a meeting remotely, the stuff here, which we’ve vetted and tested, will aid you in getting it done.

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Clearing the Surface to Find the Best Wiper Blade

HOW IT SHOOK OUT

WHY BEAM WIPERS ARE BETTER • Beam-style wipers have been around for several decades, cementing themselves as the superior option over their traditional framestyle relatives. Clever design and engineering has allowed a steady increase in performance.

THE BEST OF THE TEST

Making the Most Out of Your Grinder

GENERAL GRINDING SAFETY

DEALING WITH DUST • Grinding is messy—grit flies everywhere. While it may be tempting to use a traditional shop dust-collection system, don’t. Particles of metal coming off grinding wheels are hot and could ignite fine, dry sawdust in a dust collector, causing a fire. There are dust-collection systems specific for grinding, but they’re usually geared toward commercial use, quite expensive, and not practical in a home. Try these strategies to deal with the grit flying around in your shop.

13 How to Be Good at What You Do • // TED EYNON, 58, OWNER OF MEIER SKIS, DENVER //

HOW IT’S DONE