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1
My Pop Life
Tips, gear picks,
and confessions
from our staff.
p.2
From the
Editor
The ideal road-
trip car? A two-
seater. p.7
Science
A 2,000-year-
old theory on
why the Earth
fractures into
cubes. p.8
Space
NASA’s best hope
to stop deadly
asteroids might
be a giant lasso.
p.Drinks
How to buy,
pour, and taste
Scotch like a
master. p.5
Deep Math
It represents
infinity in 3D.
They graphed
it in 2D.
p.Outdoor Gear
Winter coats
that will keep you
warm, without any
of the awkward
bulk. p.4
Cars & Trucks
The newest
VW Vanagon
is actually a
Mercedes. p.3
Machines
How do you
improve on an
undefeated fighter
jet? p.6
Military Tech
The powerful sonic
force that police
harness for crowd
control. p.To o l s
Snow blowers
that will make
your driveway
look like it’s
spring. p.Home
Our Test team
finds the smartest,
most time-saving
modern robovacs.
p.How to Be Good
at What You Do
The relentless
innovator of
whistles.
p.POPULAR MECHANICS (ISSN 0032-4558) is published six times per year by Hearst, 300 West 57th St., NY, NY 10019 USA. Steven R. Swartz, President & Chief Executive Officer; William R.
Hearst III, Chairman; Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman; Mark E. Aldam, Chief Operating Officer. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc.: Debi Chirichella, Acting President & Treasurer; Kate
Lewis, Chief Content Officer; Kristen M. O’Hara, Chief Business Officer; Catherine A. Bostron, Secretary. Copyright 2020 by Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Popular Mechan-
ics is a registered trademark of Hearst Communications, Inc. Customer Service: For changes of address, and subscription orders, visit service.popularmechanics.com or write to Customer
Service, Popular Mechanics, P.O. Box 6000, Harlan, IA 51593. Popular Mechanics (PM) cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. Mailing lists: From time to time we make our subscriber
list available to companies that sell goods and services by mail that we believe would interest our readers. If you would rather not receive such offers via postal mail, please send your current
mailing label or exact copy to Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 6000, Harlan, IA 51593. You can also visit preferences.hearstmags.com to manage your preferences and opt out of receiving
marketing offers by mail. Periodicals postage paid at N.Y., N.Y., and at additional mailing offices. Canada Post International Publications mail product (Canadian distribution) sales agreement
no. 40012499. CANADA BN NBR 10231 0943 RT. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); non-postal and military facilities: send address corrections to Popular Mechan-
ics, P.O. Box 6000, Harlan, IA 51593. As a service to readers, PM publishes newsworthy products, techniques, and scientific and technological developments. Due to possible variance in the
quality, condition of materials, workmanship, PM cannot assume responsibility for proper application of techniques or proper and safe functioning of manufactured products or reader-built
projects resulting from information published in this magazine.// ON THE COVER // ILLUSTRATION BY PEDRO OYARBIDE// STA NDAR DS //// FEATURES //The 2020 Pop
Mech Game and
Toy Awards
After days (and days) of
testing during quarantine, we
found the best tabletop and
video games for everyone
in your home, from kids to
adults. p.The Secrets of
the World’s
Greatest Magic
Tricks
He builds magic tricks that
baffle magicians and dazzle
audiences. We went behind
the curtain to learn how he
does it. p.A Bomb Shelter
Holds the Key to
Farming’s Future
Faced with a growing
population and expanding
environmental footprint,
London has developed
an ingenious, apocalyptic
solution. p.How Hollywood
Set Designers
Disguised WWII
Aircraft Factories
To hide a military airplane
assembly line from Japanese
bombers, you build an entire
fake suburb right on top of
it. p.▶
November/
December
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