50 Years Ago

  1. Animals

    Ants were among the world’s first farmers

    50 years ago, researchers began unraveling the secrets to Attine ants’ green thumbs.

    By Laurel Hamers
  2. Tech

    50 years ago, engineers tried catching commercial planes in nets

    Fifty years ago, aviation experts tried helping commercial aircraft come to a stop during landing by catching them in massive nets. The idea crash-landed for commercial flights, but it’s still used in the military.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  3. Astronomy

    50 years ago, a spacecraft discovered oxygen in moon rocks

    In 1967, scientists dreamed of lunar processing plants to turn moon rocks into oxygen.

    By Kyle Plantz
  4. Psychology

    Confusion lingers over health-related pros and cons of marijuana

    50 years ago, the effects of chronic marijuana smoking on mental health were hazy.