Mental Floss

NEWS

A paper wasp nest is a thing of geometric beauty.

Is that slightly menacing, buzzing insect a wasp? Hornet? Yellowjacket? Maybe all of the above.

Sasha Weilbaker
Howard Carter.

It’s been a century since Howard Carter discovered the tomb of an obscure Egyptian pharaoh named Tutankhamen, kicking off a period of Egyptomania and a fascination with the pharaoh that endures to this day.

Stacy Conradt






Mia Goth in 'X.'

Though often dismissed as a bunch of movies about a crazy guy with a knife, there’s a sense of near-constant creativity at work within even the most low-budget, opportunistic slasher films.

Matthew Jackson




Seven years of bad luck would seem like a walk in the park to these people.

Grab your lucky rabbit’s foot and read up on the tales of some of the unluckiest people in history, from the man whose backyard became a battlefield (twice!) to an absurdly accident-prone instrument inventor and beyond.

Jason Serafino






Cuteness incoming!

It’s impossible to resist the fox-like charm of the Samoyed. Learn more about these fluffy dogs and their history in the tundra.

Rebecca OConnell








These creative gifts can help the artist in your life discover more ways to put their skills to use.

Whether they’re a rising star or a seasoned pro, the tattoo artist in your life will appreciate these creative gifts.

Michele Debczak