Curious City

11/15/2024

Curious City’s Erin Allen talks with a family enterprise consultant about the ups and downs of getting into business with family and why family business is the “backbone of the economy.”

When you think of a family business, one of two images probably comes to mind: either the mom and pop shop around the corner or the dysfunctional family from “Succession.” But actually, “it could be anything,” says Jennifer M. Pendergast, family enterprise consultant and professor at Northwe...

11/15/2024

Tracking down the oldest family-owned business is tougher than it sounds. We found two contenders that predate the Chicago fire.

10/30/2024

Some visitors say they’ve seen movement in empty cells, heard unexplained voices and felt an overall eerie vibe at the Old Joliet Prison. But do ghost stories detract from the specter of a truly dark history?

Visitors say they’ve seen unexplained movement on the prison grounds. But do ghost stories detract from the specter of a truly dark history?

10/03/2024

Margaret Burroughs is an icon of the Chicago Renaissance and is well known as the founder of the DuSable Black History Museum. Perhaps lesser known is her decades long work teaching visual art and writing in prison. Chicago high school students with the Invisible Institute interviewed Burroughs' former students about her legacy.

Margaret Burroughs is well known as the founder of the DuSable Black History Museum. Her legacy lives on through men she taught in prison.

09/27/2024

During the 1980s and 90s, many Polish immigrants came to Chicago in search of work, including some of Poland’s biggest stars who regularly performed at the Cardinal Club.

Polish immigrants came to Chicago looking for work. Some found their country’s biggest rockstars at the neighborhood bar.

09/21/2024

In Chicago, bicycle culture runs deep. And no bike company has had as big an impact on this city as Schwinn.

For nearly a century, Schwinn bikes were made in Chicago. Today, echoes of the company’s golden age are found in independent bike shops.

09/19/2024

For nearly a century, Schwinn bikes were made in Chicago. Today, echoes of the company’s golden age are found in independent bike shops.

For nearly a century, Schwinn bikes were made in Chicago. Today, echoes of the company’s golden age are found in independent bike shops.

09/13/2024

Last weekend, we attended the CTA bus 'roadeo,' an annual competition to find Chicago's best bus driver. We learned about the history of the event and discovered what exactly goes on at a bus roadeo 🚌🤠

Since the early 1980s, the CTA has hosted a competition to find the city’s best bus driver. Over the years, it’s expanded to include competitions in mechanical and janitorial categories.

09/05/2024

Following several reports of a strange, winged creature around the Chicago area, we try to find out what the heck is going on with the Chicago Mothman 🔎

Following several reports of a strange, winged creature around the Chicago area, we try to find out what the heck is going on.

08/30/2024

From sound “canyons” to temperature inversion layers, we looked at the factors that influence how sound moves in Chicago.

From sound "canyons" to temperature inversion layers, we looked at the factors that influence how sound moves in the city.

08/28/2024

We're looking for spooky stories to investigate for an upcoming episode. Have you experienced something you couldn't explain? Heard rumors about a historical haunting in the Chicago area? Fill out our form, or write to us [email protected] 📬👻 https://trib.al/1E7KXtU

08/23/2024

In 1881, Chicago passed a law making it illegal for people with physical disabilities to be in public spaces. It stayed on the books for nearly a century.

In the 19th century, many U.S. cities had laws that targeted unhoused people with disabilities. Chicago’s law was particularly notorious.

08/19/2024

Hundreds of women and girls were exposed to a radioactive chemical at an Illinois factory in the 1920s. Years later, they helped change workplace safety standards.

Hundreds of women and girls were exposed to a radioactive chemical at an Illinois factory in the 1920s. Years later, they helped change workplace safety standards.

08/18/2024

Summer is the season of sound in Chicago 🔊🎶 From fireworks to car stereos, the crack of a baseball bat to speakers blasting salsa in the park — we're teaming up with our friends at Reset to find out what sounds define Chicago to YOU 📨 Send an email (include a voice memo if you'd like) to [email protected]

08/15/2024

Among the luminescent watch dial makers in the 1920s was the Radium Dial Company in Illinois. Many dial painters at the factory were young women, who were reassured radium was harmless to their health. That turned out to be far from the truth.

Hundreds of women and girls were exposed to a radioactive chemical at an Illinois factory in the 1920s. Years later, they helped change workplace safety standards.

08/09/2024

What are the biggest similarities and differences between this year's Democratic National Convention in Chicago and that of 1968?

While there are parallels between the political environment that surrounded the volatile '68 DNC and today, that doesn’t mean history will repeat itself.

08/01/2024

While there are parallels between the political environment that surrounded the volatile ’68 DNC and today, that doesn’t mean history will repeat itself.

While there are parallels between the political environment that surrounded the volatile '68 DNC and today, that doesn’t mean history will repeat itself.

07/25/2024

We’re at the Chicago Public Library South Shore branch this afternoon gathering your questions about Chicago 💬 Come hang out and tell us what question we should answer next!