Jake Rossen

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

Can Washing Machines Really Eat Socks?

Your orphaned socks are victims of technology and your own deeply rooted psychological issues.... READ ON

Fizzled Out: The New Coke Protests of 1985

Everyone was mad about Coke Classic's disappearance, but only one man spent $100,000 doing something about it.... READ ON

Are You a Coffee Fiend? It Might Be in Your DNA

Some people might be genetically wired to get more wired.... READ ON

A Family Scrapbook May Have Unearthed KFC's Secret Recipe

The Colonel's secret is out.... READ ON

Beavers on the Moon: The Great Astronomy Hoax of 1835

New York's 'Sun' newspaper confirmed there was life on the lunar surface, including bat-people. And readers believed it.... READ ON

14 Surreal Facts About H.R. Giger

The 'Alien' designer wasn't always so revered: early reviews of his work involved spitting.... READ ON

This Artist is Making VHS Covers for Current Movies

So real, you can almost feel the disappointment of 'Drive' being all rented out.... READ ON

14 Justifiably Forgotten Milton Bradley Board Games

In the '70s, the family could settle in for a nice, relaxing game of 'Town Dump.'... READ ON

Japan's 2020 Olympics Will Make Medals From Smartphones

Gold, silver, bronze: They'll all be green.... READ ON

Why You Shouldn't Trust Password Strength Meters

They're not always a good test of password quality.... READ ON

Marvel-Themed Harleys Roll Out in Australia and New Zealand

The line of custom motorcycles depict the iconography of Captain America, the Punisher, Black Widow, Thor, Groot, the Wasp, and, naturally, Ghost Rider.... READ ON

7 Questions to Ask Your New College Roommate

What you should know about the stranger you'll be spending a lot of time with.... READ ON

Australia Is Having a Giant Goldfish Problem

While the large fish are probably enjoying their comfortable new habitat, their presence is proving disruptive to the local ecosystem.... READ ON

How 'Captain Planet' Turned Kids Green

If our hero looks like Tom Cruise, it's no coincidence.... READ ON

Why Do Olympic Swimmers Wear Two Caps?

There's a reason why two caps are better than one.... READ ON

This All-Nickelodeon Store Just Popped Up in NYC

A 'Double Dare' Rolex can now be yours.... READ ON

9 Movies That Are Remakes of Remakes

Nine movies so nice, Hollywood had already made them twice.... READ ON

The 3 Things Never Allowed in a Disney Movie

When you sign a contract with the studio, you agree to abide by three simple rules.... READ ON

This Laptop is Powered Entirely by Your Smartphone

Andromium's $99 phone accessory has attracted millions of dollars in Kickstarter support.... READ ON

Why Do Some Olympic Athletes Wear Paper Numbers?

Here's a hint: it involves many millions of dollars.... READ ON

10 Things We Learned From a Netflix Employee's AMA

8. Employees get unlimited vacations, but they don't get free Netflix.... READ ON

These Schools Raised Attendance by Supplying Laundry Services

At-risk students who don't have clean clothes wind up missing school. The solution? Install a washer and dryer.... READ ON

Why Cycling Isn't Always Good for Your Health

Not all bike paths are created equal.... READ ON

Champagne Just Had Its Roughest Season Since 1956

Rot, frost, and mildew are all conspiring to keep you sober this year.... READ ON

Why Are There Lifeguards at Rio's Olympic Pools?

Aside from being Rio law, there's another good reason the Olympics have gone full 'Baywatch.'... READ ON

What Happens If a Presidential Nominee Drops Out?

There's a plan in case someone drops out after a major party nomination.... READ ON

Nabisco's X-Rated Toy Scandal of 1971

The strange story of how a cookie empire nearly came crumbling down over racy, violent model kits.... READ ON

Watch: Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins, the World's Worst Singer

Florence Foster Jenkins was the William Hung of the 1940s. Only worse.... READ ON

This Volcano is Getting Wi-Fi

A team of "volcanauts" is hoping they can help predict when a volcano is about to erupt.... READ ON

7 Bookstores Too Beautiful For Words

For voracious readers, a beautiful bookstore ranks up there with ocean views and new-baby-smell in the relaxation department. Take a look at these seven examples of paginated paradise.... READ ON

Crystal Pepsi Is Back in Stores

$1.79 will buy you 20 ounces of your childhood back.... READ ON

Why Is Olympian Michael Phelps Covered In Bruises?

Finally, one weird trick that might actually work.... READ ON

How Contestant Stories Are Chosen on 'Jeopardy!'

The production compiles a list of anecdotes, but the final call is all Trebek's.... READ ON

12 Secrets of College Admissions Officers

Yes, @wastedeverynight87, yourTwitter address can make their decision much, much easier.... READ ON

Singapore Street Food Vendor Awarded a Michelin Star

At $1.50, Chan Hon Meng's chicken and rice dish is the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world.... READ ON

Why Trampolines Can be a Summer Bummer

Over 100,000 emergency room visits annually are attributed to the springy danger zones.... READ ON

What You Should Know About Generic Drugs

For some patients, small differences in generic drugs can be a big deal.... READ ON

China is Testing a Bus That Drives Over Cars

The Transit Elevated Bus allows vehicles to pass directly through it.... READ ON

DC Fans Are Rallying to Shut Down Rotten Tomatoes

A petition to shut the site down has already garnered more than 11,000 signatures.... READ ON

5 Roger Ebert-Approved Movies Hitting Netflix This Month

The late critic had a soft spot for 'The Fast and the Furious,' a film "without a brain in its head."... READ ON

Celebrity Lobster Perishes During Fateful Rescue Mission

Larry the Lobster was spared from the dinner table, but he never made it to a safe harbor.... READ ON

The Woman Who Might Have Been D.B. Cooper

The only unsolved skyjacking case in history might have been pulled off by a woman.... READ ON

15 Jobs That Didn't Exist 30 Years Ago

There was a time we had no Zumba instructors.... READ ON

1996: Kerri Strug Makes Olympic History

The Russian women's gymnastics team hadn't been defeated in 48 years. To do it, Kerri Strug had to jump with a torn ankle.... READ ON

Air Canada Will Help Crowdfund Your Vacation

Canadians can now post travel campaigns in the hopes of getting family and friends to subsidize their trips.... READ ON

12 Fascinating Facts About 'Tron'

Disney picked its original July 1982 release date just to mess with an ex-employee.... READ ON

Lockheed's New Robot Climbs on Blimps to Find Leaks

The SPIDER can find and repair tiny pinhole leaks in airships.... READ ON

The 'Ax Man': New Orleans' Jazz-Loving Serial Killer

The Big Easy's most notorious killer said he'd spare victims on one condition: that they play jazz music.... READ ON

The @AskTSA Twitter Account Will Answer Pretty Much Anything

The airport security agency's account can advise you on traveling with liquids, animals, and mummified remains.... READ ON

A Novel Heating Process Keeps Milk Fresh for Up to 9 Weeks

Checkmate, cows.... READ ON

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