Featured Story

The Story Behind Universal's Rock-It Roller Coaster

We caught up with Louis Alfieri, creative director at Universal's theme parks, to discuss roller coaster design, magnetic floating future coasters, and what it's like to work with Michael Bay on the forthcoming Transformers ride.

Previous Adventures Stories

The Tech Behind Four New Wonders at Disney World Those of us who spent childhood vacations at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida may remember classic rides like Space Mountain and Spaceship Earth. Here are four of the most impressive newer attractions at Disney World, and how they work.
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look at Disney's Expedition Everest Roller Coaster PM is the first to get behind the scenes and see the guts of Disney's Expedition Everest roller coaster.
On the Ski Slopes With Avalanche Patrollers In 2009, 54 people in North America lost their lives to avalanches. Three of those occurred at ski areas. That's not supposed to happen—ever. But there's one thing you learn at places like Big Sky, Montana: In the mountains, you're never completely safe. (Published in the January 2010 issue)
5 Highly Productive, Low-Stress Animals You Can Raise at Home For the aspiring self-reliant survivalist, there's no better complement to an off-grid power system and a fruitful produce plot than a backyard animal. PM identifies five of the most useful, taking initial cost, routine upkeep and ultimate return into consideration.
Marine Biologist Debunks Common Misconceptions About Sharks Andy DeHart, the director of Biological Programs at the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C., has been working with sharks for 20 years. In honor of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, he sat down with PM to debunk shark myths.
Fact-Checking 5 Epcot Rides That Predicted the Future The futurism espoused at Disney World's Epcot theme park in Orlando, Fl. was taken in by generations of kids who saw the world through Walt Disney-colored glasses. Here, we look at five visions of the future in hindsight—and see how they hold up.
New Zipline Tour Helps Protect Trees (With Video!) Clipped to cables, riders on the Treetops Canopy Tour in West Virginia fly by wire on ziplines—and help save an endangered hemlock forest at the same time. (Published in the August 2009 issue)
5 Theme Park Rides That Pushed the Limits of Common Sense In the quest for bigger and better thrills, some rides attempt to betray the laws of physics. And while these rides are usually well-designed, safe attractions—just so big and awe-inspiring that they are frightening—some of them are simply dangerous.
Questions for Bill Gurstelle About the Art of Living Dangerously In his book, Absinthe and Flamethrowers, Bill Gurstelle gives detailed instructions on throwing knives, "thrill eating" pursuits like absinthe, and how to construct a flamethrower. PM talked with the author to ask about living on the edge.
Flying High in Coast Guard Chopper Rescue School At America’s elite helicopter rescue academy, Coast Guard professionals are put to the test by ocean cliffs, sea caves and a treacherous stretch of coastline known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. PM attends one of these challenging courses. (Published in the April 2009 issue)
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Technology

Quieting Your PC

Your personal computer is an assemblage of whirring, vibrating parts and this can amount to a white noise, or an irritating drone.

Automotive

Toyota's Pedal Problem

PM's Mike Allen explains why widespread theories about electrical throttle problems and electromagnetic interference are misguided.

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