Jake Rossen

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

What Is the Insurrection Act?

Introduced in 1807, the Act affords the president the power to intervene in state law enforcement efforts. But debate rages over when it's appropriate to do so.... READ ON

The Curious Career of Ozzie Canseco

Ozzie Canseco, the identical twin brother of baseball legend Jose Canseco, had all of the tools—but not nearly enough of the practice.... READ ON

10 Secrets of Ice Cream Truck Drivers

Ice cream trucks have been delivering treats to beat the heat for decades. Get the inside scoop of what life is like behind the wheel of one of these trucks.... READ ON

The Right Way to Clean Your Face Mask

Cloth masks worn during the coronavirus pandemic need to be cleaned after each use. Here's how to do it.... READ ON

Prehistoric Great White Shark Nursery Found

Baby shark, do-do-do-do-do-do. Had a nursery, do-do-do-do-do. In prehistoric times, do-do-do-do-do.... READ ON

How the Care Bears Conquered the 1980s

The Care Bears were the result of Kenner wanting a unique teddy bear and American Greetings looking for a greeting card you could hug.... READ ON

The Scientific Reason Some People Don't Return Shopping Carts

Leaving a cart abandoned in a parking lot is a social nuisance. What drives people to practice poor supermarket etiquette?... READ ON

Facts About Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme—a.k.a. The "Muscles from Brussels"—has had a long and storied career full of highs and lows, including the time he threw a papaya at a producer's head.... READ ON

A ‘Censored’ Version of 'Back to the Future Part II' Made It to Netflix

'Back to the Future Part II,' the 1989 sequel to the time-travel classic, briefly featured a bizarre scene edit. Screenwriter Bob Gale provided an explanation.... READ ON

Best Horror Movies on Hulu Right Now

If you're looking to binge a slate of new and classic horror movies this summer, Hulu has you covered.... READ ON

The Reason We Get Morning Breath

Waking up to a foul taste is a common dilemma. Fortunately, there are some easy steps to reduce a bad oral presentation in the morning.... READ ON

Do Dogs Get Headaches?

Dogs and humans share some of the same central neural pathways. Does that mean they need blackout curtains for crippling headaches, too?... READ ON

Why the American Flag Is Displayed Backwards on Military Uniforms

According to the U.S. Flag Code, you shouldn’t let the flag touch the ground or hang it upside-down. While there’s no express prohibition about reversing the image, it’s probably a safe bet you shouldn’t do that, either.... READ ON

Sara Little Turnbull, Whose Bra Cup Design Became the N95 Mask

Design expert Sara Little Turnbull was consulting for 3M in 1958 when she was tasked with creating a better bra cup. Eventually, her design would inspire the N95 mask.... READ ON

Best Horror Movies on Amazon Prime

Subscribers to the Amazon Prime streaming service have access to some serious scares. Here's what to watch when you're in the mood for something spooky.... READ ON

Remembering Nike's Legendary Bo Jackson Ad Campaign

The two-sport athlete slammed home runs in baseball and rushed for 950 yards in football, but it was an endorsement deal with Nike that made Bo Jackson a household name.... READ ON

Sylvester Stallone Is Hosting a 'Rocky' Watch Party

'Rocky' writer/star Sylvester Stallone will be on camera during a free Facebook livestream of the movie to benefit coronavirus relief efforts.... READ ON

Target Free Groceries Text Scam

The text promises recipients $175 in free groceries from Target as part of a coronavirus relief effort. It's not legitimate.... READ ON

How 'Small Wonder' Programmed Itself Into a Hit

Nearly 35 years after its debut, Vicki the Robot and 'Small Wonder' are simultaneously remembered with fondness and outright scorn.... READ ON

Best Documentaries on Netflix Right Now

For the best documentaries, Netflix has no equal. Here are some of the most riveting films currently streaming.... READ ON

James Stewart Facts

Jimmy Stewart fought for the right to see combat in World War II and kept his Academy Award in the last place anyone would look.... READ ON

The economy supermarket giant was founded by two German entrepreneurs—one of whom was once held 17 days for ransom.... READ ON

Best Action Movies on Netflix

Netflix has plenty of options for the action fan, from martial arts classics to gritty thrillers. Check out some of the best and most explosive movies you can stream right now.... READ ON

Fun Fact: Otters Love to Juggle, But Scientists Aren't Sure Why

The playful aquatic creatures enjoy bouncing rocks and pebbles around. Is it just for fun, or are they driven by deeper instincts?... READ ON

Facts About the Summer Movies of 1985

Four John Candy movies, one massive Disney bomb, and a New Coke with which to wash it all down. The summer of 1985 was one to remember.... READ ON

Memorial Day vs Veterans Day: What's the Difference?

Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day are meant to celebrate military veterans, but there's one important distinction you should remember.... READ ON

Bop It: A History of the Popular '90s Toy

Bop It, the popular kid's toy, started out as something called Remote Out-of-Control that required players to pull, twist, or bop it. The last one stuck.... READ ON

The Best Docuseries to Stream Right Now

Documentaries of all types are fascinating, but an episodic docuseries can take viewers deep into a subject. From making murderers to preparing food, take a look at some of the best currently streaming.... READ ON

Why Do Gardeners Have a ‘Green Thumb’?

If our hands turn into a mess of smeared dirt when gardening, how come we have green thumbs? Why not green fingers?... READ ON

Airplane Snacks at Home

Popular airplane snacks like Biscoff cookies and JetBlue's cheese trays aren't going to waste. They're going to grounded travelers and frontline healthcare workers.... READ ON

Why It's Easy to Lose Track of Time in Quarantine

If your Tuesday feels like a Thursday, you're not alone. Here's why we've lost access to our internal calendars.... READ ON

Best TV Shows on Amazon Prime

From 'Fleabag' to 'The Boys,' Amazon's streaming service has something binge-worthy for every taste.... READ ON

Why Virtual Assistants Like Siri and Alexa Traditionally Have Female Voices

Artificial intelligence often skews toward female voices. Is it gender bias, or do companies have hard data to support our seeming preference for feminine AI?... READ ON

Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream

Since Errol Morris’s 'The Thin Blue Line' premiered in 1988 and helped free an innocent man accused of murder, filmmakers and viewers have developed a bottomless appetite for movies based on true stories that shed light on some of the darker sides of the human condition.... READ ON

Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix

Alien seduction. Mind heists. Robot parables. AI love stories. And a Star War. Netflix has got something to scratch every type of sci-fi fan's itch.... READ ON

Early Attempts at Self-Driving Cars

Today's state-of-the-art driverless vehicles have origins dating back to the 1920s, including one automaker who feuded with Harry Houdini.... READ ON

When Magic Eye Pictures Ruled the World

The biggest fad of 1994 was an optical illusion that had people staring at abstract images and getting upset when nothing happened.... READ ON

A Polar Vortex Could Bring Snow in May

The cold front will affect large portions of the Northeast, with snow accumulation possible in Pennsylvania and New York.... READ ON

When Orson Welles Met Adolf Hitler

In a talk show appearance in 1970, the famous filmmaker recalled how he found himself at a dinner party with the leader of the "minority party of nuts" known as the Nazis.... READ ON

Orson Welles's Greatest Insults

Orson Welles could seemingly do it all, from reinventing filmmaking to antagonizing Optimus Prime. But one thing the man seemed incapable of was tolerating impertinence.... READ ON

Creepy Board Games From Your Childhood

Game night became fright night for players sitting around some of these forgotten board games, including one that "bit" players on the finger.... READ ON

The Reason Why the Gas Pump Nozzle Is Always Shutting Off on You

It never fails. You stop to refuel and the gas pump takes on a mind of its own. Here's why it keeps interrupting your flow.... READ ON

Best Horror Movies on Netflix

From Puritan paranormal thrillers to all-out zombie movies, these flicks are guaranteed to rattle your nerves.... READ ON

What's the History Behind Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, is recognized around the country as a time to celebrate Mexico’s cultural heritage. Like a lot of days earmarked to commemorate a specific idea or event, its origins can be a little murky. Who started it, and why?... READ ON

Lucha Libre Wrestler Sewing Masks Instead of Costumes During Coronavirus

Luchadore El Hijo del Soberano had to give up his ring duties during the coronavirus shutdown. Now he's making wrestling-inspired masks to protect the public.... READ ON

Flowbee: A Hair-Raising History

The Flowbee vacuum cleaner attachment became an infomercial sensation for promising to trim hair with the help of the household Hoover.... READ ON

The Scientific Reason Some People Love the Smell of Gasoline

If you find the pungent aroma of gas pleasant at the pump, you're not alone. Here's why fuel tickles your brain.... READ ON

Seniors Can Learn Helpful Tech Skills Via Getsetup

The startup is offering free and premium online classes to help seniors navigate a new world of online grocery shopping, Zoom meetings, and pharmacy deliveries.... READ ON

What You Should Know When Deferring Credit Card Payments During Coronavirus

Credit card companies are willing to work with card holders experiencing financial hardship, but there's some fine print you need to look out for.... READ ON

The Reason ALDI Doesn't Play Music

ALDI, the popular discount food chain, defies retail convention by muting speakers. Here's why music isn't part of their inventory.... READ ON

Popular on Mentalfloss