HowStuffWorks is an American commercial infotainment
website founded by professor and author Marshall
Brain to provide its target audience an insight
into the way many things work.
The site uses various media to explain complex
concepts, terminology, and mechanisms—including
photographs, diagrams, videos, animations,
and articles.
The website was acquired by Discovery Communications
in 2007, but was sold to different owners
in 2014.
The site has since expanded out into podcasting,
focusing on factual topics.
In December 2016, HowStuffWorks, LLC became
a subsidiary of OpenMail, LLC, later renamed
System1.
In 2018, the podcast division of the company,
which had been spun-off by System1 under the
name Stuff Media, was acquired by iHeartMedia
for $55 million.
== History ==
In 1998, North Carolina State University professor
Marshall Brain started the site as a hobby.
In 1999, Brain raised venture capital and
formed HowStuffWorks, Inc.
In March 2002, HowStuffWorks was sold to the
Convex Group, an Atlanta-based investment
and media company founded by Jeff Arnold,
founder and former chief executive officer
(CEO) of WebMD.
The headquarters moved from Cary, North Carolina,
to Atlanta.
HowStuffWorks originally focused on science
and machines, ranging from submarines to common
household gadgets and appliances.
After adding a staff of writers, artists,
and editors, content expanded to a larger
array of topics.
In November 2004, HowStuffWorks moved its
entertainment section to Stuffo.
However, in 2006, the team disbanded and the
site now redirects visitors to the site's
entertainment channel.The domain HowStuffWorks.com
attracted at least 58 million visitors annually
by 2008, according to a Compete.com survey.There
have been four HowStuffWorks books – two
illustrated hardcover coffee table books called
HowStuffWorks and More HowStuffWorks, and
two un-illustrated paperbacks called How Much
Does the Earth Weigh? and What If?.
HowStuffWorks puts out an educational magazine
called "HowStuffWorks Express" for middle
school students.
The company has also released a series of
HowStuffWorks trivia "LidRock" discs – CD-ROMs
sold on fountain drink lids at Regal Theaters.Howstuffworks
recently acquired Mobil Travel Guide and Consumer
Guide.Howstuffworks.com spun off its international
division when they went public (Nasdaq:HSWI)
via an acquisition of INTAC, a China-based
company.
In March 2007, HSW International launched
its Portuguese website with headquarters in
São Paulo, Brazil.
The Portuguese term for the site is Como Tudo
Funciona, which means "how everything works."
In June 2008, the Chinese site was launched
with new headquarters placed in Beijing, China.
The URL roughly translates to "Knowledge Information
Web."On October 15, 2007, Discovery Communications
announced it had bought HowStuffWorks for
US$250 million.
The company later chose to use the name HowStuffWorks
as the title of a television series on its
Discovery Channel.
The series, which focuses on commodities,
premiered in November 2008 and is similar
in style and content to other "how it works"
programs like Modern Marvels.On November 2,
2009, HSW International co-founded Sharecare,
developing a social QA platform through which
users ask health and wellness-related questions,
receiving answers from industry experts.
Other co-founders in Sharecare include Jeff
Arnold, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Harpo Productions,
Discovery Communications and Sony Pictures
Television.On April 21, 2014, Discovery Communications
announced that they had sold HowStuffWorks
to Blucora for $45 million.
In July 2016, Blucora announced the sale of
its Infospace business, including HowStuffWorks,
to OpenMail for $45 million in cash.
OpenMail was later renamed System1.In 2014,
HowStuffWorks moved its headquarters from
Buckhead to Ponce City Market, a new mixed-use
development in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood
of Atlanta.
In June 2017, they announced the hiring of
Cracked.com founder and former editor-in-chief
Jack O'Brien for their new comedy podcasting
division.In 2017, System1 spun-off the podcast
department of HowStuffWorks as Stuff Media,
retaining the HowStuffWorks website howstuffworks.com.
In September 2018, Stuff Media announced its
sale to radio broadcaster iHeartMedia for
$55 million.
== Podcasts ==
HowStuffWorks maintains a large number of
podcasts, hosted by its staff writers and
editors.
The Daily Zeitgeist: a daily podcast, humorously
self-described as "second-rate," that discusses
what is trending in daily.
It is co-hosted by Jack O'Brien and Miles
Gray, and features a rotating guest.
Stuff You Should Know: an audio podcast and
video series on various topics from all fields
of interest, co-hosted by senior staff writers
Josh Clark and Charles W. "Chuck" Bryant.
In older episodes, editors Candace Keener
and Chris Pollette co-hosted with Clark before
Bryant became the permanent co-host.
The podcast falls under the category of "Society
and Culture".
It was granted recognition as one of iTunes'
Best of 2008 podcasts.
Stuff You Missed in History Class, originally
called Fact or Fiction?
History Stuff for the History Buff: important
historical events originally hosted by Candace
Keener and Josh Clark.
He was replaced by Jane McGrath in November
2008, who in turn was replaced in June 2009
by Katie Lambert.
In August 2009, Keener was replaced by Sarah
Dowdey.
In November 2010, Deblina Chakraborty replaced
Lambert, Candace Keener guest co-hosting for
three episodes between Lambert's departure
and Chakraborty's arrival.
In February 2013, Chakraborty left the podcast
and was replaced by editor Holly Frey.
In March 2013, Dowdey was replaced by Tracy
Wilson.
TechStuff: dedicated to demystifying technology
and discussing its impact on society, originally
hosted by technology editor Chris Pollette
and senior staff writer Jonathan Strickland.
In January 2013 Chris Pollette was replaced
as co-host by Social Media Editor Lauren Vogelbaum.
Vogelbaum left the program in 2015 and Strickland
became a solo host.
Topics range from the history of tech companies
(i.e. the recent RIM Podcast) to the way a
piece of technology works (I.e. a podcast
on micropayments) to the way things work to
fictional tech ("The Tech Of Doctor Who").
Brainstuff: a podcast originally hosted by
Marshall Brain.
It was formerly hosted by a rotating cast
of HSW editors, then Christian Sager and now
Lauren Vogelbaum, and deals with natural sciences.
Usually is a 5 to 10-minute podcast.
Stuff Mom Never Told You: explores feminism
and gender roles, and highlights notable pioneering
women, hosted by staff writers Caroline Ervin
and Cristen Conger.
Ervin replaced original host Molly Edmonds
in 2011.
The final episode of the podcast was published
December 28, 2016.
The podcast resumed on May 17, 2017, with
new hosts Emilie Aries and Bridget Todd.
Host Anney Reese replaced Aries in early 2018,
and Todd left the show in late 2018.
Stuff of Genius: was a short video format
podcast that focuses on an inventor or innovator
(i.e., genius) for each episode.
The video features humorous animation with
a voice over originally provided by site founder
Marshall Brain with later episodes narrated
by Jonathan Strickland.
Stuff They Don't Want You To Know: a video
and audio podcast that focuses on conspiracy
theories and the evidence and arguments for
or against them.
Hosted by Ben Bowlin, Matt Frederick and Noel
Brown.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind (formerly Stuff From
the Science Lab): focuses on natural science.
It is hosted by Robert Lamb, one of the site's
senior writers, and Joe McCormick.
They replaced Julie Douglas, a writer and
editor, who launched the "Stuff of Life" podcast
in 2015.
Christian Sager left the show in December
2017.
Savor: a food podcast hosted by Lauren Vogelbaum
and Anney Reese.
Formerly FoodStuff.
Part-Time Genius:: a general interest podcast
hosted by Mental Floss founders Will Pearson
and Mangesh Hattikudur.
Atlanta Monster: in cooperation with Tenderfoot
TV, a crime podcast about the Atlanta murders
of 1979–81.
Hosted by Payne Lindsey of podcast Up and
Vanished.
Movie Crush: is a movie discussion podcast
hosted by senior staff writer Charles "Chuck"
Bryant where he interviews celebrities about
their favourite movie.
Drawn: The Story of Animation: a co-production
of HowStuffWorks and Cartoon Network, a weekly
podcast hosted by Holly Frey discussing the
history of animated cartoons.
Couples Therapy: a podcast hosted by Naomi
Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman which examines
relationships.
Behind the Bastards: is a weekly comedic history
podcast hosted by Robert Evans exploring the
lives of deplorable historical figures.
Ridiculous History: is a semiweekly comedy
history podcast about the more unknown, ridiculous
and unbelievable parts of history.
Hosted by Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown.
Hysteria 51: a weekly comedy podcast that
focuses on conspiracy theories, aliens, and
the paranormal.
Hosted by Brent Hand and John Goforth
Food 360 with Marc Murphy: The Chopped judge
and restaurateur examines food culture from
every possible angle, shedding new light on
even the most familiar culinary topics.
=== Canceled ===
CarStuff (formerly High Speed Stuff): dealing
with automotive topics and is hosted by editor
Scott Benjamin and writer Ben Bowlin.
HowStuffWorks NOW: an audio podcast that draws
from the weekly NOW video series.
It was hosted by Lauren Vogelbaum and featured
rotating contributors.
The Stuff of Life: a podcast hosted by Julie
Douglas that focuses on a different question
each week.
There is a regular guest roundtable segment
as well as interviews with researchers and
experts.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet: was a video
podcast that highlights a specific location
and features geographic-specific facts and
trivia.
Stuff To Make You Smarter: was a podcast focusing
mainly on general topics and their impact
on the human body.
Hosted by writers Rob and Chris.
Stuff From the B-Side: was a podcast originally
hosted by senior staff writer Charles "Chuck"
Bryant and staff writer John Fuller and deals
with music.
Later episodes feature Mark Larson taking
Charles Bryant's place as host.
No new episodes have been released since December
2009.
PopStuff: was an opinion based podcast, featuring
Pop culture related topics, including televisions
shows and movies.
Hosted by Holly and Tracy.
The last episode aired on March 18, 2013,
with reruns of certain epsidoes airing until
June 3, 2013.
Stuff for a Stylish Home: was a podcast on
home decor, DIY, and home style.
Fw: Thinking: a podcast that focuses on the
future of science and technology.
It is hosted by Jonathan Strickland, Lauren
Vogelbaum and Joe McCormick.
== See also ==
eHow
How It's Made
The Way Things Work
wikiHow
