How Valentina Tereshkova Became the First Woman in Space

Yesterday, 16 June, marked the 52nd anniversary of the day Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. At the time, many wondered how the Russians were able to beat the US when NASA already had an impressive roster of highly qualified female astronauts. In a Life Magazine issue headlined “She Orbits Over the Sex Barrier,” writer Clare Booth Luce offers a simple …

South India’s Old-Fashioned Cinemas

Between 2010 and 2013, artists Stefanie Zoche and the late Sabine Haubitz traveled to South India (and seemingly back in time) to photograph the country’s multitude of old-fashioned theaters. Each cinema they captured “displays an unusual mixture of Modernism, local architectural elements, a strong use of color and, in the case of some older cinema halls, of Art Deco,” writes the duo. The retro theaters …

Futuristic Floating Farms

A rapidly expanding global population, combined with water scarcity in prevalent farming areas make for a grim future. To address impending food shortages, Javier F. Ponce and Jakub Dycha have designed a futuristic floating farm that isn’t too far from reality. The three-story structure incorporates aquaculture, hydroponics and photovoltaics to sustainably and dependably produce a range of crops and fish that, in theory, could feed …