Lucas Reilly
Joined: Nov 21, 2012
Lucas proudly worked on mental_floss magazine for four years, where he served as a senior editor. For two years, he worked as a longform feature writer for the web. He's embedded with professional eclipse chasers in Nebraska, interviewed feudal lords in Britain, hunted for buried treasure in Virginia, and once profiled a man who had tried to turn into a goat. Chances are, you can find him at the library.
Why Do Ghosts Say “Boo”?
Assault, Robbery, and Murder: The Dark History of “Bedsheet Ghosts”
Dwight Eisenhower Wrote a Letter Accepting Blame for D-Day's Failure, Just in Case
14 Surprising Facts About William Shakespeare
Despite his many contributions to English literature, surprisingly little is known about William Shakespeare's life. Here’s what we do know about the celebrated actor, poet, and playwright.
The 1925 Cave Rescue That Captivated the Nation
The epic effort to rescue Floyd Collins was a battle between heroism and folly, selflessness and selfishness, and life and death.
An (Almost) Comprehensive History of Rat Kings
Myth, hoax, or Mother Nature's freak accident? Here's the story of nearly every rat king ever discovered.
8 Conspiracy Theories and What They Get Right
Grab your tinfoil hats. It’s time to get paranoid about mind control, CIA agents in the media, and other conspiracy theories with small grains of truth behind them.
How Stephen King’s Wife Saved ‘Carrie’ and Helped Launch His Career
Take a look back at the surprising origins of “Carrie,” Stephen King’s first book—and more importantly, discover how his wife Tabitha King played a pivotal role in its creation.
How the World’s Only Feudal Lord Outclassed the Nazis to Save Her People
Dame Sibyl Hathaway protected her people with the unlikeliest of weapons: Feudal etiquette, old-world manners, and a dollop of classic snobbery.
Sequoyah: The Man Who Saved the Cherokee Language
His innovative alphabet brought literacy to a nation.
13 Fascinating Facts About the Oxford English Dictionary
It took more than 70 years and tons of volunteer labor to create “the definitive record of the English language”—including an assist from a murderer. Get to know the Oxford English Dictionary better.
Why Alaska is Home to America’s Easternmost Point
To find the easternmost point in the United States, look west.
A Forgotten George Gershwin Musical Just Made Its American Debut
The last time anybody saw a fully-orchestrated production of Gershwin's "Primrose," it was 1925.
19 Words That Used to Mean Something Negative
Sometimes words move up in the world. Their meanings change with time, becoming more positive—a process linguists call amelioration.
Why Does Music Give You Chills?
When your playlist strikes all the right chords, your body can go on a physiological joyride.