In 1939 a German-born shoemaker named Peter Limmer got the first U.S. patent for a “ski boot”—a stiff, square-toed leather shoe made to order. Today, gray-bearded Peter Limmer III hammers out about 200 pairs of hiking boots a year using his grandfather’s tools in the Intervale, New Hampshire, shop his grandfather opened. There’s a perpetual waiting list for the custom boots, priced at $775 and up; loyalists come from as far away as Tasmania for final boot fittings. Limmer, 63, still loves his work. “The best part,” he says, “is seeing customers dance in the driveway with their new boots on.”
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Animals
- 450 butterfly species rapidly declining due to warmer autumns in the western U.S.450 butterfly species rapidly declining due to warmer autumns in the western U.S.
- Tree of heaven is a hellish invasive species. Could a fungus save the day?Tree of heaven is a hellish invasive species. Could a fungus save the day?
- First great apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animalsFirst great apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animals
- Many exotic pets suffer or die in transit, and beyond—and the U.S. government is failing to actMany exotic pets suffer or die in transit, and beyond—and the U.S. government is failing to act
- A year into the pandemic, Nat Geo photographers turn their lenses on petsA year into the pandemic, Nat Geo photographers turn their lenses on pets
- The world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so specialThe world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so special
- What the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemicsWhat the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemics
- Yellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rareYellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rare
- A lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet tradeA lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet trade
- Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas islandNearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island
- Selfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseasesSelfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseases
- Monkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversyMonkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversy
Environment
- New way to measure Antarctic snowfall helps predict the ice sheet’s survivalNew way to measure Antarctic snowfall helps predict the ice sheet’s survival
- Planting trees helps fight climate change—but we need billions more seedlingsPlanting trees helps fight climate change—but we need billions more seedlings
- Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?
- Environment
- News
Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them? - Solar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disasterSolar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disaster
- The origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deservesThe origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves
- The unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolationThe unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolation
- Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat wavesSame force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves
- This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humansThis in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans
- These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals tooThese widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too
- Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at riskOil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk
- The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.
History & Culture
- America's first investigative journalist got her start in an asylumAmerica's first investigative journalist got her start in an asylum
- Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'
- The untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battleThe untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battle
- Oldest dog remains in Americas discovered in AlaskaOldest dog remains in Americas discovered in Alaska
- Text messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victimsText messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victims
- How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'
- Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.
- 3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments
- How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology, Video StoryHow ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology
- This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and PortugalThis ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal
- Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?
Science
- U.S. announces plan to boost Johnson & Johnson vaccine supplyU.S. announces plan to boost Johnson & Johnson vaccine supply
- The priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dumpThe priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dump
- The U.S. may soon have a third vaccine. Here's how it worksThe U.S. may soon have a third vaccine. Here's how it works
- New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19
- Watch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on MarsWatch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on Mars
- The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 testThe eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test
- Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
- Science
- Mars
Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
Travel
- Where to see northern California’s most spectacular waterfallsWhere to see northern California’s most spectacular waterfalls
- Invasive grass is overwhelming U.S. deserts—providing fuel for wildfiresInvasive grass is overwhelming U.S. deserts—providing fuel for wildfires
- Playing it cool: these artists make music with icePlaying it cool: these artists make music with ice
- These 9 memorials trace the global impact of slaveryThese 9 memorials trace the global impact of slavery
- America’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and raftingAmerica’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting
- From ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in MexicoFrom ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in Mexico
- ‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice
- The legendary community that fought for its freedom in JamaicaThe legendary community that fought for its freedom in Jamaica
- Why this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artistsWhy this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artists
- Families are leading a new wave for Black travelersFamilies are leading a new wave for Black travelers
- Winter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s howWinter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s how
- As Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeysAs Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeys