Popular Mechanics

Discover the latest in technology, engineering, and tools with Popular Mechanics. Plus, get essential advice on your home and car, useful DIY ideas, in-depth explanations on how things work, and more!

Popular Mechanics

1 My Pop Life • EXPERT HACKS, GEAR RECS & LIFE-TESTED WISDOM FROM OUR STAFF

How You Helped Build This Issue

The Best Motorcycle for Every Type of Rider

The iPad’s Handwriting Recognition Tech Shows How Apple Does Machine Learning

Uncovering the Hidden Secrets of Procedural Generation

The World’s First Fusion Reactor Is (Almost) Ready to Turn On

The Magnetic North Pole Is Racing Toward Russia

Is NASA Working on a Warp Drive?

READER PROJECT: Make Something Old Into Something Cool • We asked you to grab your old junk and repurpose it into a brand-new creation. Here’s what you built.

“MAD MIKE” HUGHES REJECTED SCIENCE AND CHASED FAME. IT KILLED HIM.

HOW MIKE AND WALDO’S ROCKET WORKED • The steam-powered rocket operates on the same principle as a jet engine, creating thrust by expelling gas behind it. It’s Newton’s third law of motion: Every action (shooting steam) has a reaction (flying rocket).

I BUILT THIS BOAT WITH A BOOK FROM 1935 • THE GENTLEMAN’S RACER DESIGN CAME FROM OLD POPULAR MECHANICS PLANS.

DEFIANT VS. VALOR • INSIDE THE HEAD-TO-HEAD BATTLE TO REPLACE THE BLACK HAWK

The Best Multitools to Get Any Job Done

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MULTITOOL

The Best Tents for Sleeping Under the Stars

THE TYPES OF TENTS • Having a preferred shape or style in mind can help you narrow down the options. Some tents are budget-friendly and more suitable for established campgrounds, while others offer more living space and weather protection.

12 Editors’ Choice • AWARD-WINNING TOOLS AND GEAR RIGOROUSLY VETTED BY OUR TEST TEAM

Headphones That Turn Down the Volume on Excess Noise

HOW NOISE CANCELLATION WORKS

Five Mattresses for Your Best Sleep Ever

15 How to Be Good at What You Do • LUIS JAIME PÉREZ SÁNCHEZ, 22, MEZCAL MAKER, OAXACA, MEXICO