Mental Floss

LISTS

Public Domain / Courtesy of FDR Library

Being the president of the United States comes with all kinds of perks, but political office can't protect a person from disease. Here are six ailments that afflicted US presidents, many of which can be prevented today.

Chris Higgins
Getty Images

If television existed in the 18th and 19th centuries, Thomas Jefferson could’ve earned a living starring in Dos Equis commercials. As a writer, wine-maker, astronomer, gourmet chef, and even a fossil-hunter, our third President was clearly one of the most

Mark Mancini
YouTube

Having an evil twin can be a drag. They run around causing mischief and often trying to steal their innocent twin’s identity. Thankfully for us, when it comes to the realm of fiction, it's easy to tell the good twin apart from the evil one: by their hair.

DeAnna Kerley


Wikimedia Commons

The Olympics have long made both room and time to include “demonstration sports” during their run. These sports are played for promotional purposes and some eventually become official Olympic events.

Kate Erbland


Getty Images

For anyone who has ever accused curling of not being a real sport, take a look at the controversies that the curlers' competitiveness breeds.

Hannah Keyser




YouTube

Plenty of grown-up former Nickelodeon viewers remember the network as the home of such programs as Clarissa Explains It All, The Secret World of Alex Mack, Rugrats, and SpongeBob SquarePants, the channel has a rich history of interesting programming that

Kate Erbland
YouTube

On February 8, 1914, famed cartoonist Winsor McCay demonstrated before a live audience his considerable talents “controlling” Gertie, the “only dinosaur in captivity.” A theatrical release followed, with new scenes filmed to replace McCay’s live interacti

DT Kelly






Getty Images

Sure, Valentine's Day gets all the commercial airtime and drugstore aisle displays come February, but we've rounded up plenty of other quirky holidays to celebrate on the other 27 days.

Hannah Keyser


Getty Images

Bibliophiles know there's no wrong time to fete your favorite book or author. But if you want company—at least among a certain subset of the population—in your celebration, plan a party for one of these delightful literary holidays.

Hannah Keyser








Wikimedia Commons

We’ve looked at some of the most beautiful lighthouses, libraries and museums from around the world. Today it’s time to look at more iconic and beautiful buildings—train stations.

Jill Harness
In hockey, he's arguably the greatest player of all time.

There has arguably never been a more dominant player in any sport than hockey's Wayne Gretzky. Here's why.

Sean Hutchinson