Heritage

Chemistry

How to make soap in wartime?

During the Second World War, we were short of everything, and therefore of soap. The Belgian population, rationed, made some with its own means. […]

Animals

Why fear wolves?

The fear of the big bad wolf, maintained since the Middle Ages by tales and fables, is linked to the fear of our own animal impulses. But the wolf is practically harmless for the Man […]

Artistic

When the intelligence of plants is exploited by robots. Discover the Plant Fever exhibition at the Centre d’Innovation et de Design in Grand-Hornu.

Plants do not have a brain or nervous system like us. And yet, researchers show that they are gifted with intelligence. Defending themselves against aggression, finding their food, or communicating through their roots, these are all incredible elements that demonstrate the intelligence of plants.
But it is not only scientists who are interested in the plant kingdom. Artists too are amazed at their prowess. So much so that they are inspired by the intelligence of nature to create new, revolutionary, and breathtaking objects or tools. Plant Fever is an exhibition that bears witness to the power of plants… that human is trying to mimic. […]

Food

5,000 years ago, we drank chocolate

You probably eat chocolate every day.
For some people, biting into a piece of chocolate has become a simple, comforting, greedy, daily gesture.
Biting into a piece of chocolate is a tradition that dates back to the 1800s… But did you know that the history of the chocolate drink, or rather the cocoa drink, is much longer?
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Artistic

Understanding optical illusions with René Magritte

Sometimes your brain shows you images that in reality don’t exist or are physically impossible. Images that present a different reality. These are called optical illusions. A principle that René Magritte, the famous Belgian painter, was able to exploit to create remarkable and world-famous paintings. […]