Jake Rossen

Joined: May 6, 2013

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

From this moment on, multiple entities have argued over ownership of the ‘Titanic’

Who Owns the ‘Titanic’?

Paramount, CBS Release Rules for Star Trek Fan Films

Martin Luther King photographed in 1964.

How Martin Luther King Jr. Kept Star Trek Flying High

The Surprising Reason Star Trek's Mr. Spock Has Green Blood

Why Are Potatoes Called “Spuds”?

We dig down to the root of the issue.

Artifacts at the ‘Titanic’ wreck may never see the light of day.

‘Titanic’ Salvage Missions Placed on Indefinite Hold Thanks to Legal Issues

A blend of bureaucracy and saltwater is conspiring to keep any of the ship’s remaining secrets from being brought to the surface.

Rate of Inflation: Cleveland's Great Balloon Incident of 1986

A record-setting launch of 1.5 million helium balloons was fun until it wasn’t.

Birkenstocks aren’t legally-protected art.

Birkenstocks Are Officially Not Art, German Court Rules

The beloved sandal is a practical design, but it's not art. Not in Germany, anyway.

Robert Kennicott, pictured against Alaska’s Kennicott Glacier, was a key figure in the Smithsonian’s formative years.

Death of a Scientist: The Mysterious Demise of Smithsonian Pioneer Robert Kennicott

In 1866, Kennicott was found dead near the Yukon River. It would be 150 years before anyone knew why.

Frost on Your Car’s Windshield? An Onion or Potato Can Prevent It

This winter car hack can make scraping ice off your windshield even easier. And the best part of all? You might have everything you need already, right in the kitchen.

(Left to right) Marisa Berenson in 'Barry Lyndon,' Roy Scheider in 'Jaws,' and Al Pacino in 'Dog Day Afternoon.'

25 Must-See Movies Turning 50 in 2025

Here’s a snapshot of 1975 in film, from blockbusters like ‘Jaws’ to hidden gems like ‘Night Moves.’

Try not to hold any knife like this. It could lead to a mishap.

Why Do Some Chef’s Knives Have Dimples?

Also called scallops, these tiny indentations have a purpose. And it’s not just to make the knife look cute.

Snow can be fun for pups ... until it's not.

5 Tips for Safely Walking Your Dog in Winter

These cold weather walking tips for dogs can help you keep your pet safe, plus how to tell when it's too cold to walk your dog outside.

Rutherford B. Hayes, National Hero of Paraguay

How a largely forgotten U.S. president became a South American idol.

The Tortured Soul of Mr. Delicious, Fast Food’s Most Bizarre Mascot

The middle-aged Mr. D promoted Rax Roast Beef by complaining about his mid-life crisis and nursing a hangover.

An old-timey fireman with some dead weight.

What Exactly Is ‘Dead Weight’?

Why your drunk friend feels so much heavier than your sober buddies.