Editing HowStuffWorks

{{short description|American commercial infotainment website}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox website
|name             = HowStuffWorks, Inc.
|logo             = Howstuffworks logo.svg
|logo_size        = 270px
|url              = {{official URL}}
|commercial       = Yes
|type             = [[Educational website]]
| location_city = Atlanta, Georgia
| location_country = United States
| country_of_origin = United States
|language         = [[English language|English]]
|registration     = None
|owner            = [[iHeartMedia]] (podcasting)<br />[[System1]] (website)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.openmail.com/job-listing/36322f29-ffa5-4d25-8f3e-135fcf83a350 |title=Content Writer, Ad Operations (Job Listing) |date=March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611201450/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AxE-szFSHZ4oJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.system1.com%2Fjob-listing%2F36322f29-ffa5-4d25-8f3e-135fcf83a350+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nl |archive-date=2019-06-11 |access-date=2019-06-11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Previously called ''OpenMail''.</ref>
|author           = [[Marshall Brain]]
|launch_date      = {{start date and age|1998|7|11}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whois.domaintools.com/howstuffworks.com |title=Whois Record for HowStuffWorks.com |publisher=DomainTools|access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref>
|current_status   = Active
}}

'''HowStuffWorks'''<!-- Please don't add the abbreviation "HSW" here as it isn't used throughout the article and therefore isn't needed --> is an American commercial [[educational website|infotainment]] website founded by professor and author [[Marshall Brain]], to provide its target audience an insight into the way many things work. The site uses various media to explain complex concepts, terminology, and mechanisms—including photographs, diagrams, videos, animations, and articles.

The website was acquired by [[Discovery Communications]] in 2007, but was sold to [[Blucora]] in 2014. The site has since expanded out into [[podcasting]], focusing on factual topics. In December 2016, HowStuffWorks, LLC became a subsidiary of OpenMail, LLC,<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=38042079 HowStuffWorks, LLC: Private Company Information – Bloomberg]</ref> later renamed [[System1]].<ref name=BizJsys1/> In 2018, the podcast division of the company, which had been spun-off by System1 under the name Stuff Media, was acquired by [[iHeartMedia]] for $55 million.

== History ==
In 1998, then [[North Carolina State University]] instructor [[Marshall Brain]] (1961–2024), 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]].<ref name ="BizJournals">[http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2002/09/02/story4.html HowStuffWorks sold to vulture fund] BizJournals 2002-09-02.</ref> The headquarters moved from [[Cary, North Carolina]], to [[Atlanta]]. 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.

On October 20, 2004,<ref>{{cite web |title=Whois Record for StuffO.com |url=https://whois.domaintools.com/stuffo.com |publisher=DomainTools |access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref> Stuffo.com was created, and HowStuffWorks moved its entertainment section over to the new website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stuffo.howstuffworks.com/ |title=Stuffo: Movies, Games, Web, World Domination |access-date=23 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041206090624/http://stuffo.howstuffworks.com/ |archive-date=6 December 2004}}</ref> In 2005, the team disbanded Stuffo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coustan |first1=Dave |title=Stuffo (2004-2005) |url=https://www.extraface.com/ |website=Extraface |access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref>

The [[Domain name|domain]] HowStuffWorks.com attracted at least 58 million visitors annually by 2008, according to a [[Compete.com]] survey.<ref>[http://siteanalytics.compete.com/howstuffworks.com?metric=uv HowStuffWorks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406111439/http://siteanalytics.compete.com/howstuffworks.com/?metric=uv |date=April 6, 2009 }} at [[Compete.com]]</ref>

There have been four HowStuffWorks books—two illustrated hardcover [[coffee table book]]s, ''HowStuffWorks'' and ''More HowStuffWorks'', and two un-illustrated paperbacks, ''How Much Does the Earth Weigh?'' and ''What If?''. HowStuffWorks previously put out an educational magazine, ''HowStuffWorks Express'', for middle-school students. The company has also released a series of HowStuffWorks trivia "LidRock" discs—[[CD-ROM]]s sold on [[fountain drink]] lids at [[Regal Theaters]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lidrock December 08 |url=http://www.ostechno.com.au/news/lidrock-december-08 |publisher=Optical Storage Technology |access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref>

In 2005, HowStuffWorks became the exclusive online publisher for Publications International, Ltd., Consumer Guide and [[Mobil Travel Guide]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NYC Receives Mobil Travel Award |url=https://business.nycgo.com/press-and-media/press-releases/articles/post/press-release-nyc-receives-mobil-travel-award-11-09-06/ |publisher=[[NYC & Company]] |access-date=23 December 2020 |date=9 November 2006}}</ref>

Howstuffworks.com spun off its international division when it went public ([http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/hswi Nasdaq:HSWI]) via an acquisition of INTAC, a China-based company. In March 2007, HSW International launched its Portuguese website with headquarters in [[São Paulo, Brazil]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hsw.com.br |title=HowStuffWorks - como tudo funciona |publisher=Hsw.com.br |date=2000-04-01 |access-date=2009-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905045949/http://hsw.com.br/ |archive-date=2008-09-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Portuguese name of the site is Como Tudo Funciona ("how everything works"). In June 2008, the Chinese site was launched with new headquarters in [[Beijing, China]]. The URL roughly translates to "Knowledge Information Web".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bowenwang.com.cn |title=博闻网 知道就好! |publisher=Bowenwang.com.cn |date=2000-04-01 |access-date=2009-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318112421/http://www.bowenwang.com.cn/ |archive-date=2009-03-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On October 15, 2007, [[Discovery Communications]] announced it had bought HowStuffWorks for $250 million.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119240620469258721?mod=rss_whats_news_technology "Discovery Buys HowStuffWorks.com"] by the [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref> The company later chose to use the name HowStuffWorks as the title of a television series on its [[The Discovery Channel|Discovery Channel]]. The series, which focuses on [[Commodity|commodities]],<ref name="howstuffworks series page">- [http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/how-stuff-works/series.html "Precious Commodities"] . - ''[[Discovery Channel]]'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325003355/http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/how-stuff-works/series.html |date=March 25, 2009 }}</ref> premiered in November 2008 and is similar in style and content to other "how it works" programs, like ''[[Modern Marvels]]''.<ref name=WaskoJ-flowtv-2008-05-07>Wasko, Janet and Calderon, Carlos. - [http://flowtv.org/?p=1299 "Modern Marvels: Celebrating How It Works"]. - ''[[University of Oregon]]''. - May 7, 2008</ref>

On November 2, 2009, HSW International co-founded [[Sharecare]], developing a social QA platform through which users ask health and wellness-related questions, receiving answers from industry experts. Other co-founders in Sharecare include Jeff Arnold, [[Dr. Mehmet Oz]], [[Harpo Productions]], Discovery Communications, and [[Sony Pictures Television]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=HSWI:US&sid=ac9dCGVDwxLU|title=Dr. Mehmet Oz and Internet Entrepreneur, Jeff Arnold, Announce Sharecare Inc., a Web 3.0 Platform, Organizing and Answering the Questions of Health|date=November 2, 2009|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=2011-04-02}}</ref>

On April 21, 2014, Discovery Communications announced that it had sold HowStuffWorks to [[Blucora]] for $45 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-21/discovery-sells-howstuffworks-at-82-loss-after-seven-years.html | title=Discovery Sells HowStuffWorks at 82% Loss After Seven Years | work=Bloomberg | date=April 21, 2014 | access-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref> In July 2016, Blucora announced the sale of its Infospace business, including HowStuffWorks, to OpenMail for $45 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/blucora-to-sell-infospace-business-for-45-million/ |title=Blucora to sell InfoSpace business for $45 million | work=Seattle Times | date=July 5, 2016}}</ref> OpenMail was later renamed System1.<ref name=BizJsys1>{{Cite web| title = System1 raises $270 million for 'consumer intent' advertising| work = L.A. Biz| access-date = 2017-12-01| url = https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/09/20/system1-raises-270-million-for-consumer-intent.html}}</ref>

In 2014, HowStuffWorks moved its headquarters from [[Buckhead]] to [[Ponce City Market]], a new [[mixed-use development]] in the [[Old Fourth Ward]] neighborhood of Atlanta.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/real_talk/2014/10/howstuffworks-moves-headquarters-to-ponce-city.html |title=HowStuffWorks moves headquarters to Ponce City Market |first=Douglas |last=Sams |work=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]] |date=October 28, 2014}}</ref> In June 2017, it announced the hiring of [[Cracked.com]] founder and former editor-in-chief Jack O'Brien for its new comedy podcasting division.<ref name="variety1">{{cite web |year= 2017|url = https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/cracked-founder-exits-to-create-comedy-division-at-howstuffworks-1202473006/ |title = Cracked Founder Exits to Create Comedy Division at HowStuffWorks |publisher = Variety | access-date = July 19, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, System1 spun off the podcast department of HowStuffWorks as Stuff Media, retaining the HowStuffWorks website. In September 2018, Stuff Media announced its sale to radio broadcaster [[iHeartMedia]] for $55 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/iheartmedia-stuff-media-howstuffworks-podcast-acquisition-1202939938/|title=iHeartMedia to Buy HowStuffWorks Podcasting Parent for $55 Million|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2018-09-13|work=Variety|access-date=2018-09-15|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Podcasts ==
HowStuffWorks maintained a large number of [[podcasts]], hosted by its staff writers and editors, but now all former HSW podcasts are owned and operated by [[iHeartRadio]].

* ''[[Stuff You Should Know]]'': an audio podcast and video series on various topics from all fields of interest
* {{anchor|TechStuff}}''TechStuff'': dedicated to demystifying technology and discussing its impact on society, originally hosted by technology editor Chris Pollette and senior staff writer Jonathan Strickland. In January 2013, Chris Pollette was replaced as co-host by Social Media Editor Lauren Vogelbaum. Vogelbaum left the program in 2015 and Strickland became a solo host.
* ''[[Atlanta Monster]]'': in cooperation with Tenderfoot TV, a crime podcast about the [[Atlanta murders of 1979–81]], hosted by Payne Lindsey of podcast ''Up and Vanished''
* ''[[Behind the Bastards]]'': is a weekly comedic history podcast hosted by [[Robert Evans (journalist)|Robert Evans]] exploring the lives of deplorable historical figures.

== See also ==
* [[eHow]]
* ''[[How It's Made]]''
* ''[[The Way Things Work]]''
* [[wikiHow]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
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* {{official website}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q55761581|description=TV series hosted by Gabe Doran, Mike Senese and David Heber}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q7628529|description=Podcast series hosted by Josh Clark, Charles W. Bryant and Chris Pollette}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q123160603|description=TV series hosted by Charles W. Bryant, Josh Clark and Caitlin Bitzegaio}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130204011107/http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/how-stuff-works/how-stuff-works.html ''How Stuff Works''] at [[Discovery Channel]] (archived 4 February 2013)

{{iHeartMedia}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:2002 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2007 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American educational websites]]
[[Category:Education companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1998]]
[[Category:Former Discovery, Inc. subsidiaries]]
[[Category:How-to websites]]