%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
13 Vintage Internet Ads Begging You to Get Online
From a time when ISPs actually had to sell people on the idea of using the Internet.
HISTORY
The Curious Case of the Flying Communist Bears
There was something off about some of the bears. They didn’t belong there.
The Time Peter the Great Declared War on Facial Hair
15 Classified Ads We Hope Had Happy Endings
Today, if we have specific needs or questions, we can usually find a specific forum or website to help us. But a century ago, there was only the Classifieds section of your town’s newspaper.
5 Lesser-Known Film Adaptations of Famous Books
Sure, you're familiar with some version of these books that were committed to film. But you might not have known about these...
The Letters of Last Resort
If you have a secret to keep, a good place to do so is in a safe inside another safe in the control room of a nuclear-class submarine far below the surface of the ocean.
Why was Napoleon Usually Painted with A Hand in His Coat?
No, he didn’t have heartburn or an unsightly hangnail. Just like low-slung jeans and pet rocks, posing with one hand hidden was a fad, and was considered a symbol of good breeding.
Early Instructional Videos for Using a Rotary Phone
A couple of weeks ago, we posted a hilarious and adorable video of children reacting to rotary phones. Most of them, raised on iDevices, had no idea how to use it. The kids aren't alone in their confusion. Based on these early instructional videos, it see
How to Position Yourself for an X-Ray in 1910
Pretty often, when we're searching for images for mental_floss stories, we'll come upon a photo that's weird and delightful—something that makes us want to know more. Such was the case with this photo, an illustration circa 1910 that shows a man adopting
Why Do We Cross Our Fingers For Good Luck?
Why do we cross our fingers when we’re hoping for a lucky break? Dig into the theories and symbolism behind this age-old gesture.
16 Ways to Find Love in the Personal Ads (in 1900)
Long before online dating, men and women turned to personal ads to find a mate. And they didn't mince words about what they were looking for.
Mr. Yuk: The History of Poison’s Most Iconic Symbol
For 43 years, this sticker has served as a defense against poisoning, warning kids that what's in that package isn't safe to eat. In honor of National Poison Prevention Week, here's a look back at the history of the iconic symbol.
7 Ways People Humiliated Each Other 100 Years Ago
Pranks of yore.
A Brief History of the Industrial Musical
Post-WWII, behind closed doors in the United States' bustling businesses, a peculiar bit of showbiz was born: the industrial musical.
How Rain Helped the Mongols Conquer Asia
Tree rings have many stories to tell
How 6 Fraternal Organizations Got Their Names
Some insight into how these lodges formed, and why they chose their baffling symbols.
11 Photos of Ukraine's Soviet-Era Nuclear Missile Silo
Pushing this button in 1978 would have triggered a global nuclear war. Welcome to the Toolbox of Armageddon.
11 Unserious Photos of Albert Einstein
Even geniuses like to have a little fun once in a while, and father of modern physics Albert Einstein is no exception.
6 Predecessors to the Toilet
Here are six ways people have tried to make the troublesome business of doing your business more pleasant.
Swimming with Giant Sloths
Sloths aren’t the most impressive swimmers. When today’s two- and three-toed sloths take a dip, they bob along in an awkward doggy paddle. But there used to be sloths that evolution had specifically adapted to be at home in the water. Over the course of f
Mixed Messages from Italy
11 Treasure Hunting Tales
Here are a few times intrepid explorers have struck it rich—and a few priceless hoards that are still out there for the finding.