Jason Serafino

Joined: Jun 29, 2016

Jay Serafino is the former special projects editor for Mental Floss. He is an indoor enthusiast, who has written extensively on movies, television, comic books, and history. He also might be the only person in New Jersey with tattoos of Teddy Roosevelt and the Green Lantern on the same arm.

13 Fascinating Facts About Friday the 13th

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ started out as a box-office bomb.

How ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Went From Box Office Dud to Accidental Christmas Tradition

The backstory behind these masks is almost as legendary as the films they appear within.

The Fascinating Origins Behind 8 Iconic Horror Movie Masks

10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’

10 Fascinating Facts About Arundhati Roy’s ‘The God of Small Things’

Arundhati Roy’s 1997 novel was a groundbreaking bestseller that solidified her as an important voice on the global stage. Here’s what you should know.

A replica of Paleolithic cave drawings of deer, horses, and aurochs, dating to 15,000 BCE, from Lascaux cave in France.

7 Misconceptions About the Stone Age

The Stone Age timeline encompasses a huge chunk of prehistory—and life wasn’t only about hunting and gathering.

Parades are a big part of the festivities.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July

One Founding Father thought we were celebrating on the wrong day, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from pulling out all the stops on July 4.

William McKinley (first row, center) and his wife, Ida (to his left), meet with the Flower Delegation.

The Presidential Candidate Who Campaigned From His Porch

Unwilling to leave his ill wife's side during a presidential campaign, William McKinley decided to run for president from his front porch.

12 Surprising Facts About Father’s Day

Father’s Day didn't always have the public support it deserved. Here are 12 facts you might not have known about this popular holiday.

Sci-fi lovers will get a kick out of these fun gifts.

15 Great Gifts for the Sci-Fi Fanatic in Your Life

From groundbreaking movies to landmark novels, these are the best gifts for sci-fi fans in your life.

This Insulated Growler Keg Lets You Pour Carbonated Beer, Soda, and Cocktails on the Go

With the uKeg Go from GrowlerWerks, you can keep beer fresh, cold, and carbonated for weeks at a time.

Despite what you may think, the sriracha bean is actually the mildest of the five.

Jelly Belly Turns Up the Scovilles With New Sriracha, Jalapeño, and Carolina Reaper Flavors

If you think you can handle the spice, these new pepper-flavored jelly beans may prove to be the perfect challenge for your taste buds.

14 Stellar Star Wars Day Gifts

Celebrate Star Wars Day with our choice of the best collectibles out there, from Baby Yoda Funko Pops to a Death Star cheese board.

Did William Henry Harrison Really Die of Pneumonia?

People are still torn over the belief that the ninth president died of pneumonia after not wearing a coat to his inauguration.

The One Where Jennifer Aniston’s “Rachel” Haircut on ‘Friends’ Became a Phenomenon

Back in the mid-'90s, no show on television was hotter than ‘Friends.’ But even more popular was the haircut the show spawned that became the must-have look for women everywhere.

12 Historical Conspiracy Theories

From doubt over Shakespeare’s existence to Lincoln’s assassination, conspiracy theories have been around for centuries.