Awesome Usa

Norwood Viviano uses 3D modeling and 3D printing to create detailed glass sculptures. His latest collection, Recast, features the modern landscape of several US cities sprouting from objects that allude to their manufacturing past. For example, he depicted his hometown, Detroit, rising over an engine block. Learn more in his interview with Colossal.

CGP Grey shares the ridiculous story of New Jersey and New York’s battle over the ownership of the Statue of Liberty. Thanks to England’s vague terms, Liberty Island has been in contention and eventually divided in the course of an unending struggle.

Designer Andrey Avgust came up with a series of futuristic and beautiful designs for United States’ dollar bills. Each bill is made of layers of plastic, with serial numbers, QR codes and other details that are readable under UV light.

“No home in America is modern without a family fallout shelter.” The 1950’s was an absolutely bonkers time to be alive. And not just because of the music. With the start of the Cold War, the US government started a ridiculous DIY trend: the family fallout shelter.

Vox contextualizes Grant Wood’s 1930 painting American Gothic. One thing they failed to point out is the significance of that Gothic-style window – it’s like a carbon fiber hood on a Prius. Whether it’s pathetic, aspirational, or just how life works is up to you.

Transporting the US President is not only dangerous, it’s also complicated and expensive. Wendover Productions identifies the vehicles in a typical Presidential motorcade and estimates how much it costs per minute to ferry the President around.