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The Men Behind Your Favorite Liquors

The Stories Behind 11 Famous Cocktails

When you belly up to the bar, how well do you know the cocktail you're ordering? The ingredients of these famous tipples may be familiar to bar patrons the world over, but some of their origins are as debatable as those of the Flaming Moe. Here's a quic

What's in a (Horse) Name? No More Than 18 Characters

Picking a name for a newborn can be an agonizing process for parents, but it's a whole lot easier than naming a racehorse. While Thoroughbred owners may not have to worry about the risk of subjecting their foals to ridicule on the playground, they must se

25 One-Word Answers to Very Important Questions

The cover story for the new issue of mental_floss magazine is The Most Important Questions of 2012. To tide you over until you get your hands on a copy, here are 25 very short answers to very big questions. 1. How do South Koreans get kids to stop

Get Out! How 8 Dictators Spent Their Exile Years

As civil war rages in Libya, many observers are calling for Qaddafi to step down and go into exile. This wouldn’t be the first time an oppressive leader has stepped aside in exchange for a relatively comfortable retirement abroad. We’ve compiled this hand

Fordlandia: Henry Ford's Ill-Fated Foray Into the Brazilian Jungle

We remember Henry Ford as the automotive magnate who perfected assembly line technology, but he also dabbled in ambitious social programs, including one in which he hired ex-convicts straight out of Sing Sing to staff his factories. Although many of thes

10 Cocktails Named After Famous People

If you want to add a little celebrity pizazz to your tipple, try one of these 10 cocktails named after famous people. 1. The John

Spell It Out: 16 Abbreviated Company Names Explained

Dozens of companies use acronyms or initials in their names, but how well do you know what the abbreviated letters mean? Let's take a look at the etymologies behind a few abbreviated company names.1. CVSSorry, drugstore fans, there aren't three fatcat ph

Toxic Towns: 6 Cases of Polluted Places

Every once in a while, an environmental disaster makes big news, but the effects remain years after the headlines have faded. Here are six stories of what human activity did to mess up Mother Nature. 1. Mossville,

10 Things You Don't Know About Starbucks (But Should!)

Starbucks is the coffee icon people either love or love to hate. Here are 10 things you might not have known about the Seattle-based company.

Currency denominations don't cap out at $100.

A $500 or $10,000 Bill? The Story Behind Large-Denomination Currency

It's every pizza delivery driver's worst nightmare. Once upon a time, you could have paid for your food order with a nice, fresh $10,000 bill.

Stars and stripes flutter next to President Bill Clinton in Kosovo on the anniversary of 9/11.

8 U.S. Presidents With Statues Abroad

Every former U.S. president has been honored with a statue in the United States, some more than others. A handful of the 43 men who have held the nation's highest office have also been honored with statues abroad. Here are a few examples, including some t

6 Famous Pirate Ships

Here's a look at six of the more famous pirate ships in history.

7 Great Oscar Night Surprises

Just when you think the Oscars are oh-so-predictable, along comes a surprise win (or loss).

The Early History of LEGO

Simple, block-shaped toys have been around for hundreds of years, but it took a 20th-century Danish genius to invent the interlocking pieces we know today as LEGO bricks.

Tetiana Lazunova/istock via getty images

10 Landmark Moments in Animation History

Animation continues to evolve in ways we probably never imagined. Now what are those big moments that have led to where we are today?