Mental Floss

NEWS





Drone image above the H.M.S. Erebus shipwreck.

Sunken vessels captivate us. They inspire grief, wonder, romance—and horror. Here are stories of famous ships that went under, leaving a changed world in their wakes.

Mark Mancini




It doesn't matter if you're wearing your shoes or someone else's—but it does matter how tall you are.

How many steps it takes to walk a mile depends on your height and speed—but there is an average number.

Ellen Gutoskey




Alexander Hamilton had eight kids.

Between the Revolutionary War, the fight over the Constitution, and his infamous deadly duel with Aaron Burr, Hamilton found time to father eight children with his wife Eliza.

Zoë Randolph




Rita Mae Brown at the Lambda Literary Awards in New York City in 2015.

Rita Mae Brown wasn’t even 30 when her debut novel, 'Rubyfruit Jungle,' was published, but she had already made her mark in the realm of feminist and LGBTQ activism. Here’s what you should know.

April Snellings