

Jake Rossen
Joined: May 6, 2013
Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.


Why Do We Call Defective Cars “Lemons”?

Why Does Costco Open So Late?

36 Larger-Than-Life Facts About André the Giant
Does Anyone Own the Moon?
The question of who has a claim to the moon and its resources is less a speculative fiction subject and more one for lawyers. Specifically, space lawyers.
What’s Really Inside a Hot Dog?
You’ve probably wondered what’s really inside a hot dog before. We have the answer—though we don’t recommend reading it before your next cook-out.
What’s the Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day are meant to celebrate military veterans, but there's one important distinction you should remember.
Why Is It Called a “Swiss Army Knife”?
The earliest Swiss Army knives weren't from Switzerland at all.
Why Are Tires Black?
Natural rubber is white, and so were the earliest car tires. So, why are modern-day tires black? The answer is linked to Crayola and carbon black.
An Oral History of When Geraldo Rivera Opened Al Capone’s Vault
Geraldo Rivera promised to dig deep in Al Capone’s hotel hideout on Chicago’s South Side back in 1986—here’s the oral history of how it all really went down.
8 Facts About Nathan Fielder
Nathan Fielder, creator of HBO’s ‘The Rehearsal,’ also owns a successful outdoor apparel brand with terrible customer service.
11 Lesser-Known War Memorials
These tributes to fallen soldiers may not be as instantly recognizable as the Vietnam Memorial and others, but their stories are no less fascinating—including one that doubles as a mausoleum right in Manhattan.
The ‘Tylenol Murders’ That Rocked 1980s Chicago
A new Netflix docuseries takes a closer look at one of the most puzzling crimes in modern history.
7 Movies With Famous Second-Unit Directors
Some movies have more than one respected director behind the camera.
10 Things You Might Not Have Known About Alcatraz
At 9:40 a.m. on the morning of August 11, 1934, Alcatraz's first group of prisoners—137 in all—arrived at the soon-to-be-infamous prison.
How ‘Hollywood Squares’ Popularized the Comedy Game Show
In an era of modest network programming, center square Paul Lynde dropped some seriously risqué material.