Mental Floss

From The Archive

While Arrested Development helped launch (or re-launch) the careers of Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett, those stars weren't alone. The cult series also featured several actors in small roles who would eventually find success in TV and movies.

Rudie Obias


Pixar.wikia.com

You may think you've never heard of the Disney classics 'King of the Jungle,' Lady,' or 'Moving Buddies,' but trust us—you have. Before they hit the silver screen, some of Disney's greatest hits had very different names.

Stacy Conradt






The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

A woman’s health, hygiene, and beauty routines have never been simple. Need proof? Check out Sears's1908 catalog, which offers a rare glimpse into how ladies of the early 20th century dealt with some of their most private issues.

Therese Oneill








Christian Jensen

Once a year, Brittany Janaszak undertakes her biggest dusting of all, hopping in an aerial lift, strapping on a safety harness, and vacuuming off the museum's 94-foot-long blue whale.

Erin McCarthy, Christian Jensen
istock/thinkstock

We now have the processing power, and mountains of language data, to automate all kinds of useful language tasks, from translation to reading messy handwriting. These automatic text generators may not be, strictly speaking, useful, but usefulness was neve

Arika Okrent

A number of the American brewing industry's pioneers led fairly colorful lives before and after getting their surnames emblazoned on cans and tap handles.

Ethan Trex
TriStar Pictures

The 1989 Sylvester Stallone prison flick had exactly what it needed to be authentic: real prisoners.

Sean Hutchinson








istock

Just as we humans cling to our air conditioners and plunge our heads into the freezer in the summer months, koalas have found a source of relief from stifling temperatures.

Jessica Hullinger