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HowStuffWorks

Screenshot  Screenshot of HowStuffWorks as of June 13, 2008
URL	HowStuffWorks.com
Slogan	It's good to know
Commercial?	No
Type of site	How-to website
Registration	None
Available language(s)	English
Owner	Discovery Communications
Created by	Marshall Brain
Launched	1998
Current status	Active

HowStuffWorks is a website dedicated to explaining the way many things work. The site uses photos, diagrams, video and animation to explain complex terminology and mechanisms in easy-to-understand language.

[edit] History

In 1998, former North Carolina State University professor Marshall Brain started the site as a hobby. In 1999, Brain raised venture capital and formed HowStuffWorks, Inc. In March 2002, HowStuffWorks was sold to the Convex Group, an Atlanta-based investment and media company founded by Jeff Arnold, founder and former chief executive officer (CEO) of WebMD.^[1] The headquarters moved from Cary, North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia. HowStuffWorks originally focused on science and machines, ranging from submarines to common household gadgets and appliances. After adding a staff of writers, artists, and editors, content expanded to a larger array of topics.

In November 2004, HowStuffWorks moved its entertainment section to Stuffo.^[2] However, in 2006, the team disbanded and the site now redirects visitors to the site's entertainment channel.^{[citation needed]}

The domain howstuffworks.com attracted at least 58 million visitors annually by 2008, according to a Compete.com survey.^[3]

There have been four HowStuffWorks books including two hardcover, illustrated coffee table books, called HowStuffWorks, and More HowStuffWorks, and two unillustrated paperbacks, How Much Does the Earth Weigh? and What If?. HowStuffWorks puts out an educational magazine called "HowStuffWorks Express" for middle school students. The company has also released a series of HowStuffWorks trivia "LidRock" discs — CD-ROMs sold on fountain drink lids at Regal Theaters.^{[citation needed]}

Howstuffworks recently acquired Mobil Travel Guide and Consumer Guide.^{[citation needed]}

Howstuffworks.com spun off its international division when they went public (Nasdaq:HSWI) via an acquisition of INTAC, a China based company. In March 2007, HSW International launched its Portuguese website with headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil.^[4] The Portuguese term for the site is Como Tudo Functiona, which means "how everything work". In June 2008, the Chinese site was launched with headquarters in Beijing, China. The URL roughly translates to "Knowledge Information Web".^[5]

On October 15, 2007, Discovery Communications announced it had acquired HowStuffWorks for US$250 million. Today, HowStuffWorks is a hit television show that is watched by millions of people.^[6]

[edit] Podcasts

HowStuffWorks has created multiple podcasts hosted by its staff writers and editors. The podcasts are listed below in order of popularity.

Stuff You Should Know is co-hosted by staff writers Josh Clark and Charles "Chuck" Bryant. In older episodes, co-hosts other than Bryant joined Clark, editors Candace Gibson and Chris Pollette. The podcast falls under the category of "Society and Culture." It was granted recognition as one of ITunes' Best of 2008 podcasts.

Stuff You Missed in History Class is hosted by editor Candace Gibson. She is joined by co-hosts Josh Clark (older episodes) and Jane McGrath (newer episodes). The original title of the podcast was Fact or Fiction? History Stuff for the History Buff.

Brainstuff is hosted by site founder Marshall Brain and deals with natural sciences.

Tech Stuff is hosted by editor Chris Pollette and staff writer Jonathan Strickland.

Stuff From the B-Side is hosted by staff writer Charles "Chuck" Bryant and deals with music.

High Speed Stuff is a podcast dealing with automotive topics.

[edit] See also

• eHow - A similar How-to website.
• wikiHow - A how-to website that anyone can edit.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• HowStuffWorks
• Convex Group