Shaunacy Ferro

Joined: Apr 23, 2015

Shaunacy Ferro is a former associate editor at Mental Floss. Her work has previously appeared in Fast Company, Popular Science, and Architect magazine, among others. She lives in Brooklyn and spends most of her free time taking photos of her cat.

When Drinking Too Much Tea Could Get a Woman Sent to a Psychiatric Hospital

Watch: Mysterious Footage from a 1950s Psychiatric Hospital

‘A Village Fair, with a Church behind,’ by Isack van Ostade

The Hidden Pooper in Isack van Ostade’s ‘A Village Fair, With a Church Behind’

16 Facts About Squirrels

The Rowe family heard unexplained noises in their home, like people falling down the staircase.

The 19th-Century “Gang of Ghosts” That Terrorized Chicago’s North Side

Discover the chilling tale of the Rowe family’s haunted household—including unseen ghosts, mysterious noises, and a lawsuit that made headlines.

An Edison phonograph exhibit with a talking doll in Paris, 1889.

Listen to Thomas Edison’s Eerie Talking Dolls Speak After More Than a Century of Silence

Modern technology has helped these dolls find their voices—and when they speak, it’s downright creepy.

Where Does the Phrase ‘… And the Horse You Rode in On’ Come From?

Why are we still employing a kiss-off that references a near-obsolete form of transportation?

SS ‘Eastland’ overturned in the Chicago River.

Watch The Oldest Footage of Chicago on Film

Yestervid compiles silent film footage of the Windy City dating back to 1896.

Barack Obama giving his inauguration speech, 2009.

Listen to Some of the Most Famous Presidential Speeches From History

Listen to inaugural addresses and other speeches from each president from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama.

What Are Urinal Cakes, Anyway?

Don't let the name fool you: Urinal cakes are most definitely not meant to be eaten. So what are they, and what do they do?

In Iceland, Christmas Eve is one for the books.

The Christmas Book Flood: Iceland’s Literature-Loving Holiday Tradition

Jólabókaflóðið, Iceland's long-running Christmas tradition, involves books, bed, and chocolate—all our favorite things.

This Thanksgiving brainteaser will have you dreaming of a festive feast.

Can You Spot the Pumpkin Pie in This Thanksgiving Spread?

The slice of pumpkin pie is tucked among the turkey, Brussels sprouts, and squash in this Thanksgiving food hidden image puzzle.

Amazing/Weird Period Board Game Teaches Kids About Menstruation

Move around the board with just a quick spin of the ovaries.

Are White Cats More Likely to Be Deaf?

Several studies have reported that deafness is more prevalent in white cats, but few provide a good estimate of how common it is.

How Does Sword Swallowing Really Work?

The ancient art of sword swallowing may seem like some sort of elaborate trick—but it’s very, very real (and very, very dangerous).

This map shows traditional Indigenous territories across North America.

This Website Allows You to See the Traditional Indigenous Territories and Languages in Your Region

You can see how North America, South America, New Zealand, and Australia, and more divided before colonists arrived.