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Mental Floss
Some of the world’s most famous, civilization-altering discoveries happened by accident. Take Penicillin, for example. The guy who discovered it, Sir Alexander Fleming, simply forgot to clean up his work station one night and returned to discover the worl
Haley Sweetland Edwards|
Installment #3: After the Second Moroccan Crisis, Europe’s political and military leaders were hurriedly making preparations for a possible continent-wide war – but some of the fiercest power struggles were internal. The tension caused by these domestic p
Erik Sass|
From its start in 1963, Doctor Who has heavily featured the future and the past -- but stories based on current events have also been part of the series. While it isn't quite Law & Order, sometimes we do get to see Doctor Who: Ripped from the Headlines!
Calli Arcale|
The Short Answer: No one knows, but the search has been interesting.The Long Answer: Getting a pink slip usually means you're fired.
Matt Soniak|
Here are six legendary animals that lived a lot longer than most pets.
Kathy Benjamin|
Everyone's favorite board games get a whole lot more fun when they're super-sized. (Also: the pieces are harder to lose.) We've gathered up a collection of jumbo variations on classic board games—if you think we've missed a good one, let us know in the co
Andréa Fernandes|
The violin is considered by many to be the thinking man’s instrument, famously played by the likes of Albert Einstein and Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional genius Sherlock Holmes. Here are 12 other celebrities who fiddled around in their spare time: 1. Char
Maggie Ryan Sandford|
The circus has always been about performers reaching the pinnacle of courage, strength, and skill, all for the intangible payback of the roar of the crowd. No other acts define this better than those who truly put their lives on the line for your entertai
Rob Lammle|
During last night's GOP debate, Mitt Romney attempted to minimize Newt Gingrich's connection to President
Jason English|
While they may not be the homes of giant woodsmen, these towns frequently have real marvels.
Benjamin Smith|
Ever wonder how singers manage to loser their accent when they sing? Is it there, but we just don't hear it, or is there a reason behind it?
Matt Soniak|
How long have the fashionable people been referred to as "cool"? Where did the word "dude" come from? Here's a look at the origins of six calmly audacious words. 1.
Bill DeMain|
How long have the fashionable people been referred to as "cool"? Where did the word "dude" come from? Here's a look at the origins of six calmly audacious words. 1.
Bill DeMain|
Installment #2: After the turmoil caused by the Second Moroccan Crisis, ending with a humiliating diplomatic defeat for Germany with the Treaty of Berlin in November 1911, Europe’s leaders were suddenly realizing that a general, continent-wide war was now
Erik Sass|
This March will mark thirty years since the premiere of the brilliant short-lived series Police Squad. The six-episode run followed the satirical adventures of Detective Frank Drebin — a character played to straight-faced perfection by the late Leslie Nie
Colin Patrick|
Someone recently played "jute" on me with devastating results. I decided I didn't know enough quick, hard-hitting 'J' words. Here are 11 that I just discovered: 1. Jute A strong, coarse fiber from two East Indian plants often used in making burlap and gu
Jamie Spatola|
If you're planning a trip to Antarctica, here are some things you should know. 1. Nobody owns Antarctica. Although a few nations, including Australia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, have tried to lay claim to it over the years, it remains free of gov
Bill DeMain|
Good morning! It's the 11th of the month, which means we've got lots of '11 lists' for your reading enjoyment. We'll post one list every hour starting at 9:11am until we get tired. It's going to be a good day. If there's one thing we at mental_floss kno
Oliver Noble|
After I posted 8 Heroic U.S. Military Chaplains last week, we heard from a Catholic writer, a chaplain who worked under Father Sampson (who was featured), and the pastor of the home church of one of the Four Chaplains, in comments and email. We appreciate
Miss Cellania|
HU GUANGYAO/Xinhua/Landov Dixville Notch, NH, is a tiny unincorporated township of about 75 residents situated at the foot of the scenic White Mountains and home to The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. But the village's claim to fame is the legendary midnight
Adrienne Crezo|
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