7 THINGS WORTH KNOWING / 6 November 2026

Little Discoveries

Design · Philosophy · Plants · Curiosities · Words · Food · Cultures & peoples. 7 discoveries in this edition.

Peter Behrens: the future had a woven handle

In depth · 2 min read

An AEG kettle from 1909 pairs industrial geometry with a covered handle, showing how a new technology can look familiar.

In depth · 3 min read

A phrase from Xunzi urges continued learning, but its purpose concerns how we behave rather than how much information we collect.

In depth · 3 min read

The trailing stems of this succulent carry densely packed fleshy leaves, whose fragility makes space an important part of care.

In depth · 3 min read

A bathroom hook hides a pressure difference, while a small fish reveals how much depends on the rim that maintains contact.

In depth · 3 min read

The Italian verb preserves a connection to Latin cor, heart: a historical image of memory rather than an account of anatomy.

In depth · 3 min read

The globe artichoke we buy is an immature flower head, and its fleshy parts reveal a plant observed before opening.

In depth · 3 min read

In a Balinese example documented by the Smithsonian, slightly different tunings contribute to a shimmering sound, with precision built collectively.

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