In 1904, back when Thomas Edison was alive and Tesla was just his rival's last name, Harvey Hubbell patented the electric plug. Before that, electrical connections were hardwired. Hubbell's plug was ...

You know the struggle: You go to plug something in, but the orientation's wrong. The prongs are different sizes, so you turn it the other way and try again. Still wrong. You finally get it, third time ...

Ever noticed the tiny holes in your plug prongs and wondered why they’re there? You’re not alone. These small details on everyday electrical plugs often go unnoticed, yet they serve several practical ...

You find yourself in an airport or hotel room in another country, and you really need to charge your phone, camera or game system. But what is that strange-looking outlet? It has round holes! And ...

It is the bane of worldwide travel: there isn’t just one way to get AC power from the wall. The exact connector — and what you can expect when you plug in — differs from country to country. Even if ...