Jake Rossen

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

Hospital Patients Need to Wash Up, Too

Those in-room sinks aren't just for doctors.... READ ON

How NBC Revoked Pierce Brosnan's License to Kill

In 1986, Pierce Brosnan was set to be the next James Bond—until he wasn't.... READ ON

Trash for Cash: An Oral History of Garbage Pail Kids

How Valerie Vomit, Julius Sneezer, and the rest of the gang enraged parents, offended everyone, and made more money off of boogers than Kleenex.... READ ON

Good Grief: The Attempted Murder at 'Peanuts' Headquarters

Why Charles Schulz posted a $2 million bail for the woman accused of shooting his business manager.... READ ON

14 DIY Facts About Home Depot

Home Depot's orange color scheme wasn't the result of market research: They were just re-using circus tents for signs.... READ ON

5 Movies Made for Strange Reasons

10 Secrets of eBay PowerSellers

15 Next-Level Facts About Nintendo

The iconic video game company has the golden touch when it comes to home entertainment. That doesn't explain the NES knitting machine.... READ ON

6 Easy Ways to Avoid Plumbing Emergencies

Beware those flushable wipes.... READ ON

13 Things You Might Not Know About Diff'rent Strokes

If you were tuned in to a television anytime between 1978 and 1986, you were likely exposed to the phenomenon that was NBC’s 'Diff’rent Strokes.'... READ ON

What Do Those Symbols on the iPhone Mean?

The truth is out there. Here’s what you’re really looking at.... READ ON

5 Vintage Appliances That Could've Killed You

16 Interlocking Facts About LEGO

The pervasive toy brick company makes billions with their plastic parts. They also make more tires than Goodyear.... READ ON

7 Things That Could Ruin Your Day in Antarctica

Oddly enough, frostbite may be the least of your concerns.... READ ON

Why Are Social Security Cards So Flimsy?

A super-important piece of your identity is about as durable as toilet paper.... READ ON

Waldo's Topless Beach Scandal

It was a sprawling beach scene populated by hundreds of characters, including one dressed slightly inappropriately for the climate: Waldo, the sweater-sporting explorer who “hides” in every crowd scene illustrated by Martin Handford for his 'Where’s Waldo?' line of books.... READ ON

7 Authors Who Wrote Themselves into Their Work

15 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Airline Pilots

They wish you'd stop asking them to pull over.... READ ON

12 Legendary Facts About Legends of the Hidden Temple

The show didn't have the budget to let too many kids win.... READ ON

7 Tips for Healthier Teeth

Almonds are not your friend.... READ ON

10 Trivial Facts About 'Pop Up Video' (Bloop)

Billy Joel was not amused.... READ ON

8 Things You Might Not Know About Signing Your Name

Turns out you really can just make an "X."... READ ON

30 Years Ago: 'The Dark Knight' Changes Comics Forever

At a time comics cost 75 cents, DC's $2.95 take on Batman flew off shelves (almost) as fast as Frank Miller could deliver it.... READ ON

When "Captain Midnight" Hacked HBO

In 1986, a mysterious man hijacked HBO's signal. It wasn't just a prank—it was personal.... READ ON

Why Some Parents Push For a Leap Day Baby

Louise Estes has given birth to three children on three consecutive Leap Days. Was it fate, or careful planning?... READ ON

The True Story of the Coca-Cola Knockoff Koca-Nola

The surprisingly successful Coke knock-off advertised itself as "delicious" and "dopeless." One of those things was true.... READ ON

This Was Once the Fifth Playing Card Suit

In the 1930s, Five of a Kind was a distinct possibility.... READ ON

25 Enchanting Facts About New Mexico

Roswell, White Sands, and roadrunners: everything you need to know about the Land of Enchantment.... READ ON

14 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Plumbers

Put down the drain cleaner. And pick up some ice cubes.... READ ON

25 Cozy Facts About Vermont

Teddy bears, ice cream, and skiing: get to know America's coziest state.... READ ON

15 Swab-Worthy Facts About Q-Tips

Stuck zipper? Let a Q-Tip assist.... READ ON

Garbage Pail Kids Are Now Printed on Demand

The booger-themed cards are still around—just not in the quantities you're used to.... READ ON

When Andy Kaufman Lost It on Live Television

On Friday, February 20, 1981, Andy Kaufman sat down in a fake restaurant, delivered scripted lines, paused, and then shook himself out of character.... READ ON

Her Name Was Skeeter: The Mystery of the Missing Muppet

The muppet Skeeter's disappearance is a conspiracy that stretches to the top floors of entertainment.... READ ON

15 Fast-Forward Facts About Blockbuster Video

The popular video rental store chain may be (almost) extinct, but its legacy of late fees and bans on long hair for employees will live forever.... READ ON

10 Tips for Lending (or Borrowing) Money

Get everything in writing.... READ ON

The Short, Tragic Life of the Eight-Ball Jacket

Michael Hoban designed costumes for Elvis, but it was a trip to the bowling alley that really refined his style.... READ ON

When Hitchcock Banned Audiences From Seeing His Movies

The Master of Suspense actively kept people from exhibiting his work—and only two men knew why.... READ ON

A Hypnotic History of Screensavers

Jefferson Airplane thought they had the market cornered on flying toasters.... READ ON

8 Things Invented by Famous Writers

When Margaret Atwood got tired of long book tours, she developed a pen that would sign books for her long-distance.... READ ON

Do Skunks Know They Stink?

What happens when a skunk sprays another skunk? We asked the one man who would know.... READ ON

8 Classic Movie Props That Were Tossed in the Trash

Sean Astin's mom threw out his original map from 'The Goonies.'... READ ON

10 Things to Know Before Test-Driving a Car

Ready to buy a new car? You should take it to the grocery store first.... READ ON

Jawesome: The Story of Street Sharks

How Vin Diesel wound up playing with a bunch of shark toys.... READ ON

Why Do Books Have Blank Pages?

It's more than just tradition.... READ ON

15 Campy Facts About 'Batman'

Burt Ward didn't have anything to fear from villains: The show itself did a pretty good job of nearly killing him.... READ ON

Oral History: Punky Brewster's Refrigerator Danger

The story behind how an adorable orphan and a rusty old appliance conspired to traumatize a nation.... READ ON

Maximum Cute: How Funko Conquered the Toy World

A look inside the upstart toy company that manages to make a decapitated Ned Stark look adorable.... READ ON

15 Aggro Facts About Nickelodeon's 'Guts'

You were not hallucinating: There was an episode that guest-starred E.T.... READ ON

When Quentin Tarantino Directed an Episode of 'ER'

Two months after winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, Tarantino became a TV director-for-hire.... READ ON

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