Photograph by Detkov D
Photograph by Detkov D
 
WHAT WE FOUND
An ornate public bathroom entrance from the early twentieth century
Where Did All the Public Bathrooms Go?
Ever notice how hard it is to find a public bathroom that isn’t tied to buying something first? That’s not an accident. It traces back over a century, from ornate Parisian street toilets that accidentally became a secret meeting spot for gay men, to American Prohibition activists who pushed for public “comfort stations” just to lure people out of saloons. As Prohibition wore on, the funding dried up, and cities never really got the habit back. Why they never came back. ›
Dolly Parton performing on stage
How Dolly Parton Told Her Life Story Through Six Iconic Songs
Six songs, one incredible life. From “Coat of Many Colors,” the true story of growing up poor but loved, to “Jolene,” inspired by real jealousy over a bank clerk, Dolly Parton’s biggest hits were never just hits. They were her life, set to music. A look back at the songs that made her one of the most beloved artists there’s ever been. The six songs. ›
 
MORE GOOD STUFF
A hand writing a letter with a fountain pen
7 Letters Everyone Should Write Before They Turn 70
The seven letters worth writing. One of encouragement and one to your future self. Putting it on paper changes what you understand about yourself. All seven. ›
A stack of vinyl records and album covers from different decades
The Number One Album the Year You Left School
Can you remember what you had on repeat the year you left school? Billboard’s number-one album for every year from 1975 to 2025. Thriller took it twice. Find your year. ›
 
TOP SHELF
The soda fountain that turns 11 million pours a day into a product lab. Four reasons Rome fell. And the case for saying no more often.
 
ONE TO FOLLOW
Colourful 80s nostalgia imagery from @rerunthe80s
@rerunthe80s
An account dedicated to reliving the raddest decade ever.
 
LAST WORD
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
— DOLLY PARTON