Mental Floss

COLD WAR

Pripyat, part of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

These Atomic Age sites—some of which are still dangerously radioactive—are a somber reminder of the dark shadow the threat of nuclear war cast on the world.

Lorna Wallace


The toy aisle looked pretty different in the mid-20th century.

From a dollhouse with a nuclear bunker to an atomic energy lab with real uranium, some of these toys from the ‘50s and ‘60s have us scratching our heads.

Kaeli Conforti






A fallout shelter sign left over from the Cold War still visible in Brooklyn, New York.

Tens of thousands of fallout shelter signs, with three yellow triangles in a black circle, are visible on building façades today. They serve as grim reminders of the hottest flashes of the Cold War. So why are they still around?

Tim Brinkhof




U.S. troops in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War was a highly controversial conflict. We break down some of the most common questions about the war, from why the U.S. entered the conflict to who ultimately won.

Colin Scanlon


Senator Joseph McCarthy (center) and Roy Cohn (right) during the Army-McCarthy Hearings in June 1954.

McCarthyism advertised itself as a response to national security threats created by the Cold War, including Soviet espionage. But the movement was bigger than Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Tim Brinkhof


Illustrations from 1997’s ‘Get Fit! ... How To Get in Shape To Meet the President’s Challenge and Earn the Presidential Fitness Award’

Almost as soon as it was introduced—and for generations after—the Presidential Fitness Test was absolutely traumatizing to students who had to endure it. Here’s how the program started—and ended.

Vince Guerrieri




Sophisticated and fool-proof.

No, spies aren't all focused on national security. Yes, the CIA did deploy a mission called Operation Acoustic Kitty.

Justin Dodd




CCCP USA Superman, French Cold War Political Protest Poster

We're detailing some of the most common misconceptions about the Cold War, including how close we came to World War III and Pepsi's impact on world affairs.

Jason Serafino