Mental Floss

LISTS

George Michael performs during his "Faith World Tour."

The idea of pop stardom fundamentally changed in the 1980s, in part because of George Michael and his blockbuster solo album debut, 'Faith.'

Kenneth Partridge




The Philip K. Dick android.

Learn more about the fascinating mind behind 'Blade Runner,' 'Minority Report,' and so many other standouts of the sci-fi genre.

Katie Dancey-Downs


When The Price of Salt was first published, it gave LGBTQ+ readers something they had never encountered before: a novel that didn’t punish its main characters for being gay and allowed them at least the possibility of a Happily Ever After.

April Snellings


The Antikythera mechanism.

From seriously aged cheese to the world’s first analog computer, shipwrecks have produced some fascinating—and sometimes disgusting—artifacts.

Michele Debczak
Toilets have been privy to some important events over the years.

From Elvis's near-final resting place to the porta-johns that saved a pilot's life, these are the toilets that altered world events.

Ken Ossea, Jr.


Bianca Del Rio performing in Pasadena, California, in 2021.

‘Paris Is Burning’ and ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ have helped bring drag queen colloquialisms to the fore. Here are 11 important ones.

Ellen Gutoskey








Nature's light show.

No summer evening is complete without watching fireflies. Here are some fun facts about lightning bugs—which are technically beetles, not bugs.

Bryan Dugan






Judy Garland

Judy Garland was one of the most iconic and recognizable movie stars of all time. She also (might have) helped kick off the gay rights movement.

Rebecca Pahle
A scene from 'The Bob's Burgers Movie' (2022).

Ever wonder why we’ve never seen Ginger? Or why Bob talks to his food? Just ask the show's most dedicated viewers, who have concocted these 10 fascinating fan theories.

Kristin Hunt