Jake Rossen

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

Why the Concorde (And Supersonic Flight) Never Took Off

The British/French super plane could travel nearly 1500 miles per hour and get passengers from New York to London in just over three hours. Why didn't it catch on?... READ ON

Meet the Smart Bed That Stops You From Snoring

The Sleep Number 360 smart bed claims to reduce snoring and restless sleep.... READ ON

Goldfish Can Get Depressed, Too

That little bowl can really bring about the blues.... READ ON

What Gives Qizai the Brown Panda His Unique Color?

He's just one of a handful of brown giant pandas in the world. Researchers want to know why.... READ ON

The Paris Photographer Who Matches People to Paintings

It's a kind of social experiment that asks whether people enjoy art that reminds them of themselves.... READ ON

A Look at the World's Only Underwater Post Office

It only accepts waterproof postcards.... READ ON

The Bittersweet Story Behind A Very Special Christmas

Thirty years ago, a personal tragedy led to the creation of the album that brought us "Christmas in Hollis."... READ ON

11 Gifts for the Movie Fanatic

We curate the coolest things for the cinephile in your life.... READ ON

The Bizarre Kidnapping Mystery That Stunned the 1910s South

In 1912, 4-year-old Bobby Dunbar went missing in Louisiana. Eight months later, his parents insisted he had been found. But there was something about Bobby that wasn't quite right.... READ ON

Before Bitcoin: The Rise and Fall of Flooz E-Currency

The debut of the virtual gift currency in 1999 was supposed to change how we shopped on the internet. Russian hackers ruined it for everyone.... READ ON

11 Events Correctly Predicted by The Simpsons

Matt Groening's animated family has demonstrated an uncanny ability to see into the future.... READ ON

The Man Who Killed Santa Claus

Santa was supposed to glide gently down from an airplane via parachute. It didn't go according to plan.... READ ON

12 Gifts for the 'Star Wars' Fan

A Jedi would crave all these things.... READ ON

A.C. Gilbert, the Toymaker Who (Actually) Saved Christmas 

In 1918, the U.S. government threatened to close down toy factories and discourage gift-giving to shift focus toward the war. A.C. Gilbert wasn't having it.... READ ON

Thin Ice: The Bizarre Boxing Career of Tonya Harding

After being banned from competitive skating, the beleaguered athlete turned to a new vocation: Getting her nose broken for money.... READ ON

How This Underground Urban Farm in Stockholm Will Heat the Building Above It

A Swedish startup is attempting to change how urban farmers think about sustainability—and how building owners can benefit from being eco-friendly.... READ ON

7 Famous Actors Who Starred in Obscure Short Films

Harrison Ford agreed to be in a short movie produced by a bunch of his son's snowboarding friends as long as he was credited as "Jethro."... READ ON

The 10 Most Bizarre Objects That Have Fallen to Earth

Being pelted with non-dairy creamer from the sky is not as delicious an experience as it sounds.... READ ON

Paul McCartney's Long-Lost Christmas Album Surfaces Online

The musician only made enough copies for each of his fellow Beatles, and the discs degraded fast. Now, we can finally listen to (part of) the rare record.... READ ON

Ho, No: Christmas Trees Will Be Expensive and Scarce This Year

Holiday cheer is gonna cost you this season.... READ ON

Should You Worry About the Insects Living in Your Christmas Tree?

Here's how to reduce the chances of mites and beetles joining you for the holidays.... READ ON

6 Ways Movies Subtly Distort Reality

Most air ducts are so small, filthy, and fragile that Bruce Willis would probably sneeze and crash through one before getting shot.... READ ON

Your Apple Watch Can Now Be Paired With an FDA-Approved EKG Monitor

People with heart conditions can now perform their own EKGs at home—no ER visit required.... READ ON

14 Fun Facts About A Charlie Brown Christmas

Charles Schulz thought it was a "disaster." CBS hated it. But it's the most beloved Christmas special of all time. Nice work, Charlie Brown.... READ ON

Finally! Converse Introduces Weatherproof Chuck Taylors

The classic shoe has been updated with inclement weather in mind, and a little help from GORE-TEX.... READ ON

Now You Can Binge-Watch Apple Support Videos on YouTube

There's a step-by-step guide to muting your family's group chat.... READ ON

A Short and Sweet History of the Whitman's Sampler

The boxed candy has a war-torn history.... READ ON

Here's Why You Really Don't Want a Fly Landing on Your Food

These things are disease drones.... READ ON

15 Mysterious Facts About Agatha Christie

With over 2 billion copies of her books in print, British novelist Agatha Christie (1890-1976) has kept countless readers up into the early morning hours.... READ ON

10 Adorable Facts About Cabbage Patch Kids

The holiday toy craze of 1983 inspired a line of counterfeit Kids that were stuffed with flammable rags. Collect 'em all!... READ ON

8 Death-Defying Facts About Super Dave Osborne

The faux-stuntman is famous for his cartoonish sketches—but a tank nearly crushed him for real.... READ ON

11 Savvy Gifts for the Gym-Goer

From slip-resistant yoga mats to smoothie makers, we've got ideas for the fitness enthusiast in your life.... READ ON

12 Secrets of FedEx Delivery Drivers

They can usually tell if you're shipping drugs.... READ ON

A Speedy History of the Hess Truck

For more than 50 years, the toy truck has been a holiday rarity: a gas station gift that people actually want.... READ ON

Amsterdam is Turning Plastic Trash Into 3D-Printed Furniture

Discarded plastic is being used to brighten public spaces.... READ ON

A Secret Room Full of Michelangelo's Sketches Will Soon Open in Florence

The room was hidden for hundreds of years before someone discovered a trap door hidden in a closet.... READ ON

This AI Tool Will Help You Write a Winning Resume

Two former Google staffers have found a better way to sell your skills to potential employers.... READ ON

Owning a Dog May Add Years to Your Life, Study Shows

You'll have to spend some of it picking up their poop, but still.... READ ON

Why Don't We Eat Turkey Tails?

One of the most delicious parts of the bird was once banned from import to the Pacific Islands. We investigate.... READ ON

Oral History: Tickle Me Elmo Turns 21

The hottest toy of 1996—which led to concussions, mass hysteria, and one designer becoming a Unabomber suspect—is making a comeback.... READ ON

High-Tech Skyscrapers Could be Built with Low-Tech Wood

Cutting-edge architectural firms and fire-resistant timber might set off a new trend in construction.... READ ON

9 Things You Might Not Know About 'Macho Man' Randy Savage

The legendary wrestler got his nickname from mom.... READ ON

This Living Wallpaper Uses Bacteria to Generate Electricity

In the future, the microbe-covered paper could double as home decor.... READ ON

To Boldly Go: The Science Behind Pooping in Space

While few explorers like to discuss it, taking a space dump is its own kind of heroism.... READ ON

When Nancy Reagan Told Kids to ‘Just Say No’

The First Lady's catchphrase was everywhere in the 1980s. The problem? It didn't really keep kids from experimenting with drugs.... READ ON

How a Rain-Soaked Seattle Bookstore Helped Invent the School Backpack

In 1972, University of Washington students needed something durable to carry their books and keep them from getting wet. The co-founder of JanSport had a solution.... READ ON

Sam Adams's New $200 Beer Might Be Illegal in Your State

At 28 percent alcohol by volume, some states aren't even sure the pricey brew even classifies as beer.... READ ON

9 Unbreakable Facts About Dolph Lundgren

Lundgren turned down Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator,' declaring a version of the script he read a "piece of crap."... READ ON

The FDA Has a Warning for People Who Love Black Licorice

Eek.... READ ON

A Pizzeria Owner's Bizarre Plot to Capture the Zodiac Killer

In 1971, fast food franchisee Tom Hanson spent $13,000 to make a low-budget movie about the Zodiac murders. He expected the killer to attend the premiere. What he didn't expect was to come face-to-face with him at the urinal.... READ ON

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