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Popular Mechanics US Magazine - January / February 2026

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In this issue

The Sand Mafia
Sand is the hidden backbone of our modern world, and it’s running out. Now, criminal networks are illegally mining the precious resource—and are more than willing to kill for it.
By Andrew Zaleski

WWII’s Secret Pipeline
Inside the daring engineering gambit that funneled fuel under the English Channel and helped the Allies secure

Find the Right Ladder for Any Job
Everything you need to know about how to choose, use, and get the most out of this workshop MVP.

Apocalypse When?
Eighty-two years after her grandfather helped build the atomic bomb, our writer investigates who sets the Doomsday Clock and what they can teach us about living.

HOW TO UNCLOG A SINK

IF YOUR SINK IS CLOGGED AND PLUNGING fails to clear the blockage, look to your P-trap (or simply, “trap”) before calling a plumber.

1 mins

5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GENERATOR IN WORKING ORDER

IF YOU HAVE A GAS GENERAtor, use ethanol-free gas treated with fuel stabilizer, and maintain a full tank when not in use; keep a gas can full of stabilized fuel on hand during peak disaster season.

1 mins

A WEIRD (AND FREE!) SOUND SYSTEM HACK

THERE ARE SO MANY VARIABLES TO how a room's dimensions, a building's construction, the placement of furniture, and the materials of that furniture affect the sound of speakers and subwoofers that there's no way to offer a one-size-fits-all, \"put it here\" maxim for the absolute best subwoofer sound quality.

1 mins

THE BEST HEIGHT TO HANG YOUR TV

MOUNTING YOUR TV UP HIGH, LIKE over the fireplace, can be tempting—but it’s impractical at best and a literal pain in the neck at worst.

1 mins

3 WAYS TO FIND A STUD WITHOUT A STUD FINDER

There is a noticeably hollow sound when you knock on the space between the studs versus when you knock on drywall that has a stud behind it.

1 mins

A BLUEPRINT OF THE HUMAN BODY

MAKE A LIST OF ANIMALS as distantly related to humans as possible, and sea anemones would likely be near the top.

2 mins

AN ANCIENT WOODEN FACE

Archaeologists from Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) discovered a 1,000-yearold wooden face during an underwater research expedition in Poland's Lake Lednica.

1 mins

Tomb 38

TUCKED AWAY MORE THAN SIX FEET underground, down a stone staircase in Egypt's Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan, archaeologists discovered what they call \"one of the most architecturally impressive and well-preserved tombs unearthed to date.\"

1 mins

Our Shifting Poles

EVER SINCE WE STARTED constructing them, man-made dams have come with unintended consequences.

2 mins

The Shroud of Turin

THE FAMED SHROUD OF TURIN GAINED its status in the 14th century thanks to its apparent depiction of an adult man with long hair and a beard—very similar to the generally accepted image of Jesus Christ.

1 mins

Minivans

MINIVANS ARE MAKING A COMEBACK, and that's kind of surprising, as they're some of the most polarizing vehicles on the road and have always been built with a function-over-form ethos.

1 mins

A Cell-Sized Elephant

EVER SINCE THE POPULARITY OF 3D printing skyrocketed in the midaughts, people have been manufacturing everything from chocolate to rocket fuel-and that list now includes a microscopic elephant inside of a living cell. Technology has really leveled up since 2005.

1 mins

The Hot Blob Headed for New York City

GERMAN METEOROLOGIST ALFRED Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift more than a century ago, in 1912.

2 mins

A STONE VIKING FACE

Graduate student Katie Joss from the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute dug up a piece of limestone from a former Viking settlement and found a face carved into the stone.

1 mins

The Fringes of Life

AT FIRST GLANCE, CREATING A DEFINItion of \"life\" seems simple.

2 mins

A Lost Explorer Found

IN JUNE OF 1997, A 31-YEAR-OLD PAKISTANI man by the name Naseeruddin disappeared into a cave while traveling in the Supat Valley in the mountainous northern region of Pakistan called Kohistan, never to be seen again.

2 mins

THE SAND THIEVES

Sand is the hidden architecture of our modern world—but it's running out. Global mafias are stealing this precious resource from right beneath our feet, and they're willing to kill for it.

10+ mins

OPERATION PLUTO

THE ALLIES’ SECRET UNDERWATER WEAPON THAT HELPED DEFEAT THE NAZIS

10+ mins

The DIYer's Guide to Ladders

WHILE WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN HUMAN beings made a conscious effort to leave the ground, one possible clue about that timeline comes from cave paintings discovered in Spain in the 20th century.

9 mins

WHO SETS THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK?

In the shadow of my family's atomic legacy, I set out to understand the increasingly urgent debate about humanity's capacity to end itself and what it can teach us about living.

10+ mins

Read all Stories from Popular Mechanics US

Popular Mechanics US Magazine Description:

Publisher: Hearst-magazines

Category: Science

Language: English

Frequency: Bi-Monthly

Popular Mechanics US is a widely recognized magazine that caters to enthusiasts of science, technology, and all things related to mechanics. Here's an overview of the magazine's content and its focus on providing valuable insights and information to its readers:

Popular Mechanics US offers a diverse range of content, covering topics such as engineering, DIY projects, automotive advancements, home improvement, technology trends, outdoor adventures, and more. With a rich history dating back to 1902, the magazine has remained a trusted source for practical advice, expert guidance, and in-depth features.

1. Science and Technology: Popular Mechanics US keeps readers informed about the latest scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and innovative ideas shaping the world. It covers topics like space exploration, robotics, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and emerging technologies, providing insights into how these developments impact our daily lives.

2. DIY Projects and How-Tos: The magazine features step-by-step guides and tutorials for DIY enthusiasts and individuals interested in hands-on projects. From home improvement and woodworking to electronics and automotive repairs, Popular Mechanics US offers practical tips, tool recommendations, and detailed instructions to help readers tackle various projects.

3. Automotive: Popular Mechanics US has a dedicated focus on automobiles, providing coverage on the latest automotive technologies, industry news, and reviews. Whether you're interested in new car models, maintenance tips, or insights into electric and autonomous vehicles, the magazine offers a wealth of information for automotive enthusiasts and consumers.

4. Home and Workshop: Readers looking to enhance their homes or workshops can find inspiration and guidance through Popular Mechanics US. The magazine offers articles on home improvement, DIY renovations, tool recommendations, and tips for maintaining and upgrading living spaces and work areas.

5. Outdoor Adventures and Gear: From camping and hiking to fishing and off-roading, Popular Mechanics US caters to outdoor enthusiasts. It features articles on adventure travel, gear reviews, survival tips, and insights into outdoor recreational activities, helping readers make informed choices for their outdoor pursuits.

6. In-Depth Features and Interviews: Popular Mechanics US delivers in-depth features, interviews, and profiles of experts, innovators, and thought leaders in various fields. These articles provide readers with a deeper understanding of groundbreaking technologies, scientific breakthroughs, and the people behind them.

Popular Mechanics US continues to engage and educate readers by exploring the intersection of science, technology, and mechanics. Through its informative articles, practical tips, and inspiring stories, the magazine empowers readers to stay informed, pursue their interests, and embrace the world of innovation and engineering.