Cristen Conger

Cristen Conger

HowStuffWorks

Raised on a steady diet of Technicolor musicals and library books, Cristen Conger always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. While working toward her journalism degree at the University of Georgia, she learned to avoid starry-eyed statements about childhood dreams and stick to hard facts. After graduating, Cristen decided she'd spent enough time chasing down REM band members in Athens and hitched up the road to Atlanta where she jumped on board with the award-winning website HowStuffWorks.com.

As a former writer and blogger for HowStuffWorks and a contributing writer for Discovery News, Cristen specialized in technology and the science of everyday living. Her articles have been featured on Huffington Post, ABC Science and MSNBC.com. She also started and co-hosted the popular Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast, which explores gender issues such as relationships, careers and women's history. A graduate of University of Georgia, where she majored in journalism, Cristen reads, writes, runs and dabbles in improv comedy.

Recent Contributions

In the wild, are brains better than brawn? Find out when your fight-or-flight response is your friend and when it's your enemy.

By Cristen Conger

Ignorance is bliss. But what if you're more than just unaware? If you are dumb as a doornail, flat-out foolish or dim-witted, are you happier than the genius next door?

By Cristen Conger

You may vaguely remember hurting your knee at the age of 3, but do you recall the moment your body burst into the world? Most likely not. Why are our first years devoid of memories?

By Cristen Conger

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Knowing what to expect from a contractor will help you avoid making mistakes. Learn 5 things you should expect from a contractor at HowStuffWorks.

By Cristen Conger

You catch it out of the corner of your eye -- a dark creature crawling up the wall behind your couch. Then the unspeakable -- it dives at your hair. Good grief, it flies? And why is it here?

By Cristen Conger

Ever hear that urban legend about waking up without your kidney? Would organ thieves have to find a new line of work if cloned organs became a reality?

By Cristen Conger

We know which is greener when it comes to gas and electric cars. But which is greener when it comes to stoves: gas or electric? There's more than one way to save energy when you cook.

By Cristen Conger

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Real-life haunted houses make us hide under the covers and sleep with one eye open. Learn about the spooky history of these real-life haunted houses.

By Cristen Conger & Jonathan Atteberry

Mount Vesuvius, located near Naples, Italy, is one of the world's most iconic active volcanoes, renowned for its historic eruption that buried Pompeii. Discover its history, significance, and natural beauty.

By Cristen Conger

Surprisingly, the gentle, loafing moose could be more threatening than a grizzly bear. Find out what you should do if that looming moose barrels at you like a bull.

By Cristen Conger & Kathryn Whitbourne

Whether used in fashion or complicated mating rituals, peacock feathers drive the ladies crazy. But, what happens when a peacock loses his last feather? Will he become a fashion-don't?

By Cristen Conger

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What's a full moon without the cry of a wolf echoing in the background? Are wolves really howling at the moon or just talking among themselves?

By Cristen Conger

Turnspit dogs were a distinct breed of working dogs in the late 15th-18th centuries. Their job was to run on a wheel designed to turn meat roasting over a fireplace spit. And they had to do it all day.

By Cristen Conger

Quinceañeras celebrate Hispanic girls' transition to womanhood and official entrance into society. What makes them different from run-of-the-mill birthday parties?

By Cristen Conger

There's a reason a natural gas leak has a rotten egg odor. That stink is meant to signal danger. Any spark — a match or even a light switch — could cause a serious explosion.

By Cristen Conger

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Between venues, entertainment and a cake to feed a crowd, kids' birthday parties can get pricy fast. What are some ways to keep food costs down and still entertain a passel of potentially picky eaters?

By Julia Layton & Cristen Conger

Contrary to popular belief, the leaders of a wolf pack aren't always hyper-aggressive social climbers. The truth is more nuanced, and more interesting.

By Cristen Conger & Mark Mancini

They range in size from 8 inches to 60 feet, so obviously their food preferences will differ. Sometimes what seems like a good meal, isn't, so they spit it out. That includes humans.

By Cristen Conger

Famous moms are everywhere these days. Every website and tabloid showcases the babies of celebrities. But the 10 mothers we're featuring were world-changers as well.

By Cristen Conger

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If your home has termites and the exterminator is booked, you might want to send in an anteater or aardvark. Though both these animals love insects, they're two totally different species.

By Cristen Conger

Crocodiles look a lot like dinosaurs, and they have certain similar characteristics. But are they related at all, or are the similarities all coincidence?

By Cristen Conger

When the Eagles sang "Take It to the Limit," they weren't referring to your car's towing capacity. There's a rating that defines how much weight your car can handle. Heed this magic number, and you'll be taking it easy on the highway.

By Cristen Conger

Fathers are often the primary guides for showing boys how to grow into well-rounded, successful men. Yet being an effective guide requires time and effort. Here are 10 fun, relationship-building activities that fathers and sons can do together.

By Cristen Conger & Stefani Newman

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Fathers and daughters share a special relationship. By letting your little girl know that she's valued and loved, you can establish a positive precedent for her subsequent male relationships. Here are some ways to spend time with your daughter.

By Cristen Conger & Jill Jaracz

Crafts are a great way to entertain young guests and provide a fun alternative to the traditional birthday goodie bag.

By Cristen Conger & Sara Elliott