Who Created HowStuffWorks?
Marshall Brain created HowStuffWorks in 1998. The author and entrepreneur launched the site to explain the mechanics of everyday objects and technologies in plain language; it later evolved into a wide-ranging digital media brand known for explanatory articles and hit podcasts.
Contents
The Founder: Marshall Brain
Marshall Brain is an American writer, educator, and entrepreneur who saw a gap in accessible, clear explanations of how the world works. With a background in computer science and teaching at North Carolina State University, he began publishing approachable, diagram-rich articles online that quickly found a global audience and set the tone for the site’s practical, curiosity-driven style.
The following points highlight key facts about Marshall Brain and his role in creating HowStuffWorks.
- Founded HowStuffWorks in 1998 as an online educational resource.
- Brought an educator’s approach, emphasizing clarity, accuracy, and real-world examples.
- Scaled the project from a personal endeavor into a professional editorial operation.
- Authored books and essays on technology and society, complementing the site’s mission.
Taken together, these facts underline that HowStuffWorks began as Brain’s vision to demystify complex systems for a general audience and grew because that mission resonated widely.
From Side Project to Media Brand
Starting as a simple, searchable repository of explanations, HowStuffWorks expanded into a full editorial team producing articles, animations, and later video and podcasts. The brand became synonymous with clear, nontechnical explanations of science, tech, health, and culture—bridging the gap between expert knowledge and everyday curiosity.
Ownership and Evolution
After its creation by Marshall Brain, HowStuffWorks went through several ownership changes as it scaled into a mainstream media property. The timeline below summarizes the major milestones.
- 1998: Founded by Marshall Brain.
- 2002: Acquired by The Convex Group (an Atlanta-based investment/media company led by former WebMD CEO Jeff Arnold), helping professionalize and expand operations.
- 2007: Purchased by Discovery Communications for approximately $250 million, integrating the brand into a larger factual media portfolio.
- 2014: Sold by Discovery to Blucora for about $45 million amid portfolio reshaping.
- 2016: Acquired by System1, a digital media and technology company, which continued developing the website’s content and audience.
- 2017–2018: The podcast division, operating as Stuff Media, gained investment from The Raine Group and was acquired by iHeartMedia in 2018 for $55 million, moving flagship shows like “Stuff You Should Know” under the iHeartPodcast Network.
These transactions reflect HowStuffWorks’ shift from a founder-led site to a significant media asset, with its website and podcast operations ultimately landing in different corporate homes.
Where Things Stand Now
As of 2025, the HowStuffWorks website continues to publish explanatory articles and is operated by System1, Inc., while the well-known HowStuffWorks-originated podcasts—such as “Stuff You Should Know”—are part of iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcast Network (via the 2018 Stuff Media acquisition). The founder, however, remains the same: Marshall Brain created the brand in 1998.
Why People Ask
Because HowStuffWorks became closely associated with major media companies—first Discovery, and later iHeartMedia for its podcasting arm—many assume a large corporation originally created it. In fact, it began as Marshall Brain’s independent project, and its subsequent acquisitions reflect its success rather than its origin.
Summary
HowStuffWorks was created by Marshall Brain in 1998. He launched it to offer clear, engaging explanations of how things work; the brand later grew through multiple ownership changes, with the website now operated by System1 and its celebrated podcast catalog housed at iHeartMedia.
Who made the website HowStuffWorks?
Marshall David Brain II
Marshall David Brain II (May 17, 1961 – November 20, 2024) was an American author, public speaker, futurist, businessman, and academic, who specialized in making complex topics easier to understand for the general public. Brain was the founder of HowStuffWorks.com and the author of the How Stuff Works book series.
Who founded HowStuffWorks?
author Marshall Brain
HowStuffWorks is an American commercial infotainment website founded by professor and author Marshall Brain, to provide its target audience an insight into the way many things work.
Who is the wife of Marshall Brains?
Leigh Ann
Brain is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann, and their four children.
Who bought HowStuffWorks?
iHeartMedia
Doubling down on the podcasting business, iHeartMedia reached a deal to acquire podcast pioneer Stuff Media, which includes the HowStuffWorks podcasting business and a slate of 25 podcast shows, for $55 million.
