Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS

Fireworks for the feast of Rome's Patron Saints Peter and Paul

Accidents, the search for immortality, and war may have all played roles in the development of these aerial attractions. Here's how the word "fireworks" came to be.

Eden Gordon






Why are so many pencils painted yellow? The answer traces back to a prizewinning pencil, luxury branding, and graphite imported from China.

Paul Anthony Jones


Why do we mow lawns? The tradition dates back centuries, when neatly trimmed grass was a luxury reserved for Europe's wealthiest landowners.

Jane Alexander

Why do so many Americans work 9 to 5? The familiar schedule grew out of labor activism, federal law, and innovations introduced by Henry Ford.

Jenny Cohen




Why do soccer fans wear scarves? The tradition began as a practical way to stay warm at winter matches before becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable symbols of support.

Paul Anthony Jones


Why is Wawa called Wawa? From its origins as a Pennsylvania dairy farm to its unexpected connection to an Indigenous word for "goose," here is the backstory of the iconic convenience store chain.

Nitya Rao


What does "SOS" actually stand for? Discover the true history behind the universal distress signal, the myths surrounding it, and how it was used on the Titanic.

Matt Soniak, Nitya Rao








Leaves against bright blue sunny sky

Why are sunsets red, for that matter? And why is space black? The answer is all about how light interacts with Earth's atmosphere.

Eden Gordon