25 Weird Old-Timey Life Hacks
From raw beef for wrinkle prevention to cleaning paintings with potatoes, here are some of the most memorable life hacks from days of yore.
From raw beef for wrinkle prevention to cleaning paintings with potatoes, here are some of the most memorable life hacks from days of yore.
John Collins's paper airplanes can spin, flap like birds, and make 360-degree turns.
You probably know about Chicago's deep dish pizza and New York City's famous bagels, but what's the signature regional dish in Alabama? Or Idaho?
From bug spray to Epipens, you might be surprised to learn just how many items taking up shelf space in your home were originally developed for the front lines.
How the humble TV dinner changed American life in the mid-20th century.
If you can’t wrap your head around the physics of air travel, this video will illustrate it for you.
As host Justin Dodd discusses in this episode of The History of Fun, magic has transformed from a little-respected sideshow to a multimillion-dollar industry.
The types of songs cut on vinyl may be changing, but the way the physical records are made has stayed the same.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of James Cameron’s ‘Titanic,’ WHOI has released never-before-seen footage of the real-life shipwreck.
The stories behind these phrase origins are amazing. Too bad they’re not true—and too bad they’re often repeated as fact. Here’s the real scoop behind the expressions.
From the dangers of being a “sexual vampire” to the best ways to charm your in-laws, here’s what relationship advice looked like in the past.
From Lenten fare to street food, pretzels have come a long way.
Moose shed their antlers each winter, but the event is seldom captured on video.
From chairs and cars to mummies and creepy paintings, these supposedly cursed things are said to bring death, doom, or just plain old bad luck upon anyone within reach.
Hot sauce wasn't always considered a staple of pantries around the world. If you've ever wondered who invented Tabasco sauce, or what Scoville Heat Units really measure, read on.
IKEA is beloved around the world, but there’s at least one place where it’s illegal to name your baby after the furniture store: Its home country of Sweden.
From what causes ice ages and how many we’ve had, to the species that thrived and the ones that died, here’s what you need to know.
Let’s take a roadtrip through the country, with stops at a self-flushing latrine, a collection of human brains, and much more.
On Pluto, you might be able to toss it over the equivalent of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
There’s no better way to wrap up 2022 than by sharing a whopping 100 things we learned this year, from interesting AI developments to unintentional art heists—and, of course, the results of the 2022 Kids’ Mullet Championships.
Kevin Bacon fought for our right to party, but he wasn’t the only one.
This video tracks the evolution of New Year's Eve in Times Square since the tradition began.
In this episode of The History of Fun, Mental Floss producer and host Justin Dodd traces the topsy-turvy track of roller coaster history and explores the science behind being thrilled.
From scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses to memory foam, here’s all the tech you should be thanking NASA for.