From the Archive

Strangely Specific: A Roundup of Niche Blogs

When you want to read about a wide variety of interesting topics, you come here to mental_floss. If you have the time, you might also be interested in seeing some highly-specific blogs that may amuse you for a while. You just might find one with a topic t

Don’t Change a Thing: 8 Inventions That Never Needed Updating

11 Clever and Creative Gingerbread Structures

A gingerbread house is a delightful combination of food and art. Some bakers go way beyond the call of duty in their holiday creations and deserve to be seen even years after the gingerbread is dismantled (or eaten). In this list you'll see houses, mansio

10 Amazing Things Your Ashes Can Do After You Die

16 Words That Are Much Older Than They Seem

10 Artists Who Hated Their Biggest Hit

The Taman Shud Mystery

On December 1, 1948, a man's body was found on a beach in Australia. Then things got weird.

A Short History of Long-Haired Music: Amadeus, Part 2

If you missed our previous installments, check out A Short History of Long-Haired Music archives By the time he reached puberty, Mozart already had three oratorios, nine masses, twenty-three sonatas, and many shorter works under his belt (to say nothing o

10 of the World's Most Expensive Beers

11 Geeky Wedding & Engagement Rings

11 Stunning Cakes That Look Exactly Like Other Foods

14 Creative Divorce Cakes

9 Ways Depth Sensing Will Make Computing a More Immersive Experience

9 Surprising Benefits of Having a More Intuitive Interface With Your Computer

10 Peculiar Things Public Schools Have Banned

9 Amazing Ways Depth Sensing Cameras Are Making Gaming More Fun

7 Ways Depth Cameras Will Help Make Every Snapshot More Memorable

7 Ways Gesture Recognition Technology Will Revolutionize Education

8 Brilliant Ways Your Computer Can Respond to Your Mood With Emotion Tracking

8 Brilliant Ways 3D Scanning and Printing Will Revolutionize Your Home

7 Incredible Innovations 3D Scanning Unlocks In Your Computer

Why Do They Use Sterile Needles for Lethal Injections?

“Lethal injection” isn’t a marketing term or a cute nickname. The intent of the injection is to execute someone. So why bother with the alcohol swab and sterile needle? Are they really worried about the condemned getting an infection?

Know Your Labels: The Stories Behind 5 California Wine Brands

As holiday parties approach, so does the specter of sipping from a small plastic cup of inexpensive wine as you make small talk. Ever wonder where the names on those bottles came from? Here’s the background on a few familiar California brands. Feel fre

On Whales and Sunburn

Don’t be surprised if Shamu looks a little pink the next time you see him. Whales are suffering from sunburn at an alarming rate—well, the real alarm is that whales get sunburn. (There are numerous problems with whales and sunburn. How much sunscreen woul