5 THINGS WORTH KNOWING / 8 October 2026

Little Discoveries

Design · Philosophy · Plants · Curiosities · Words. 5 discoveries in this edition.

Michael Thonet: a chair designed for the journey too

In depth · 3 min read

The No. 14 combines bent wood, few components and disassembled transport: design begins well before someone finally takes a seat.

In depth · 2 min read

A sentence from 1620 connects knowledge and action: nature does not change its rules to suit our wishes or our theories.

In depth · 3 min read

New plantlets appear on the long stems of Chlorophytum comosum: following their connection to the parent helps explain how propagation works.

In depth · 3 min read

Beaver incisors keep growing. A 2024 study separates the enamel’s protective material from the source of its striking orange colour.

In depth · 3 min read

The Italian word bazar comes from Persian bāzār, meaning market. Its figurative use is worth recognising without confusing it with its origin.

Original writing and illustrations made with AI assistance. Each discovery includes its sources. Our editorial method