Scientific American's October Retrospective Looks Back at Smallpox, Skyscrapers and Racetrack Research

Scientific American has published its regular "science history" feature for October 2026, a recurring column that revisits notable scientific and technological developments reported in the magazine's pages from 50, 100 and 150 years earlier, according to the publication.

Among the topics highlighted in the latest installment are efforts related to smallpox eradication, excavation work associated with skyscraper construction, and research described as having taken place "on the racetrack," Scientific American said.

The column is part of an ongoing series in which the magazine draws on its own archives to trace how scientific understanding and technology have evolved over the decades. Based on the timeframe referenced in the October 2026 edition, the items would correspond to material originally published around 1976, 1926 and 1876, respectively, though the publication did not provide further detail on the specific content of each item in the excerpt reviewed.

Scientific American has run similar retrospective features for years, using its historical record to place contemporary scientific issues in a longer context. The publication did not immediately provide additional details beyond the brief description of the three subject areas.

Further specifics on the smallpox-related item, the skyscraper excavation reference and the racetrack research were not included in the material made available.