Explaining modern mysteries:How the Herald answers your curly questions

Explaining modern mysteries:How the Herald answers your curly questions

Explainer editor Felicity Lewis reveals how her team tackles the questions you want answered – and some you hadn’t thought to ask.

  • byBevan Shields andFelicity Lewis

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‘Glamour in a packet’:How I learned stockings were the tip of a nylon iceberg

‘Glamour in a packet’:How I learned stockings were the tip of a nylon iceberg

Gossamer fine,in colours like ‘alabaster’ and ‘chateau’ – pantyhose meant different things to different women,and it was my job to help them find the perfect pair.

  • byFelicity Lewis
Where did Santa come from? Was pudding really served with meat? Everything you wanted to know about Christmas
Explainer
Christmas

Where did Santa come from? Was pudding really served with meat? Everything you wanted to know about Christmas

In this Explainer from our archive,we go behind the tinsel,to a cornucopia of customs and layers of legend in the festive season.

  • byJackson Graham andFelicity Lewis
‘The dead know things’:The spooky history of Halloween
Explainer
Halloween

‘The dead know things’:The spooky history of Halloween

Halloween is an American thing,right? Not exactly. In this Explainer from our archives,we explore how the celebration went from ancient rites to actual riots to (mostly) wholesome fun for all the family.

  • byJackson Graham andFelicity Lewis
Why is cancer so hard to cure?
Explainer
Cancer

Why is cancer so hard to cure?

Some 50,000 Australians will die from cancer this year,despite big breakthroughs in treatments. What makes cancer so very tough to treat?

  • byKate Aubusson,Jackson Graham andFelicity Lewis
Ancient rituals,modern twists:how the coronation worked

Ancient rituals,modern twists:how the coronation worked

Old rituals and modern flourishes will come together in this coronation ceremony. There’s a story behind every robe and sceptre – and a special bit that none of us will see. We explain.

  • byRob Harris andFelicity Lewis
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A dozen undersea cables connect Australia to the internet. What happens if they get hacked – or cut?
Explainer
Cyber warfare

A dozen undersea cables connect Australia to the internet. What happens if they get hacked – or cut?

Hundreds of undersea cables link up the worldwide web,with about a dozen connected to Australia. How does this little-known network work – and what happens if it’s sabotaged?

  • bySherryn Groch andFelicity Lewis
‘Like finishing a marathon,only to be told it’s an ultra-marathon’

‘Like finishing a marathon,only to be told it’s an ultra-marathon’

David Knoff’s team had nearly come to the end of their year in Antarctica when the knock-on effects of the pandemic hit.

  • byFelicity Lewis
‘Like the Wild West’:Who owns the moon and what’s up there?
Explainer
Space

‘Like the Wild West’:Who owns the moon and what’s up there?

Missions are blasting off again for the moon as the new space industry hits its stride. Why go back? And what will be the rules of conduct?

  • bySherryn Groch andFelicity Lewis
Top picks from the explainer desk

Top picks from the explainer desk

From world politics to sport and time travel,national explainer editor Felicity Lewis offers these recommendations for winter reading.

  • byFelicity Lewis
Why F1 drivers are nervous passengers (and other extremely fast facts)

Why F1 drivers are nervous passengers (and other extremely fast facts)

I’m no F1 aficionado but I fancy myself behind the wheel of a sporty car. Turns out so do many others,but they’ve never driven at 350km/h under G-forces experienced by fighter pilots. I spoke with F1 writer Matt Clayton to learn more about life in the fast lane.

  • byFelicity Lewis andMatt Clayton