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David Hasselhoff Is Auctioning Off His Personal Knight Rider K.I.T.T. Car
David Hasselhoff was the star of ‘Knight Rider,’ but his sentient sidekick (voiced by William Daniels) often stole the show.
NEWS
Listen to the Trailer for Mental Floss's Latest Podcast, The Quest for the North Pole
In our new podcast, 'Mental Floss Presents: The Quest for the North Pole,' we’ll dive into the adventure, excitement, and danger surrounding our obsession with the North Pole.
When America Was Besotted With the Bedazzler
The Bedazzler—a rhinestone-stamping arts and crafts tool—promised to turn plain pairs of jeans into designer duds. If you squinted.
Viennetta—That Fancy Ice Cream Cake From the ’90s—Is Coming Back to Stores After 20 Years
For many American Millennials, a slice of Viennetta ice cream cake was the height of luxury—and they’ll finally get the chance to experience it again.
If You Haven’t Received a Stimulus Check from the IRS Yet, It Might Be in the Wrong Account
If you used TurboTax or H&R Block to prepare your taxes last year, your $600 stimulus check from the IRS might be in the wrong account.
26 Animals Who Ran Afoul of the Law
When it comes to weird animal stories, it’s hard to beat the one about the parrot who got arrested for cursing out an old woman.
The 25 Highest-Grossing Movies of 2020
Between pandemic-prompted theater shutdowns and straight-to-VOD releases, 2020’s list of top box office movies is a strange one.
Massachusetts Could Be Getting a State Dinosaur—And You Can Help Choose Which One
Massachusetts already has its fair share of state symbols (including Boston cream pie and Boston cream doughnuts), but you can never have too many.
Bird-Watcher in England Discovers a Hoard of 1st-Century Celtic Coins
Last September, an unnamed bird-watcher found a trove of 1300 Celtic gold coins dating back to the 1st century CE.
Watch a Bright Blue UFO Zoom Over Hawaii in Eyewitness Video
On December 29, several people on the Hawaiian island of Oahu reported seeing an illuminated blue object fly through the night sky.
Did You Have a Baby in 2020? You Might Be Entitled to $1100 in Extra Stimulus Cash
Early stimulus payments may have only accounted for babies you had in 2019, not babies that arrived in 2020. Here's how to monetize your moppet.
Alex Trebek’s Final Jeopardy! Episodes to Air This Week
Beloved ‘Jeopardy’ host Alex Trebek passed away in November 2020, and his permanent successor has yet to be chosen.
Watch Birds As They Snatch Food in Slow Motion
A Michigan photographer has filmed birds normally too quick for the human eye while they enjoy a snack.
This Online Tool Transports You to Forests Around the World
Click a button and tree.fm will play you recordings from the rainforests of South America, the temperate forests of Europe, and beyond.
The 40 Best-Selling Books of 2020, According to The New York Times Best Seller List
Some popular books—especially ones written by Barack and Michelle Obama—practically lived on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2020.
How to Check the Status of Your 2021 Stimulus Check
Here is how much you can expect from your second COVID-19 stimulus check and when to expect it in 2021.
Our 25 Most Popular Stories of 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic was a driving force behind some of Mental Floss's most popular stories of 2020, the historical precedent of the 1918 pandemic was clearly of interest, too.
7 Surprising Facts About Octavia Butler
Born in Pasadena, California, on June 22, 1947, science fiction author Octavia E. Butler was one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century.
The Shortest Street in the World Is in Scotland, and Has Just One Address
Ebenezer Place in Wick, Scotland, is 6 feet and 9 inches long, and it's home to only one street address.
Why Are Marines Called 'Jarheads'?
The slang term has been around for decades, but its origins might have less to do with appearance and more to do with mules.
Why Do Cats Head Bump Humans?
Cats seem to enjoy booping humans on their foreheads. Is it a sign of affection, or yet another sign of condescension?
When John F. Kennedy Told the World Why 'We Choose to Go to the Moon'
John F. Kennedy's stirring speech on September 12, 1962, sparked a passion for space exploration that eventually led us right to the moon.
Tokyo Is Home to a Museum Full of Parasites
The Merugo Parasitological Museum has more than 300 life-sucking species on display, including a 28.9-foot long tapeworm. It's got date night written all over it.
Tired of Shoveling Snow? Try Rolling It
The next time you need to clear snow off your walkway and driveway, try rolling it into a giant snowball instead of shoveling it.