Mental Floss

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Gene Roddenberry circa 1947.

Roddenberry flew planes in World War II, worked as a traffic cop in the LAPD, and wrote for TV under an assumed name before launching ‘Star Trek.’

Ken Jennings.

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

We'll see some gorgeous views later this month.

This fall, sky-gazers will be treated to a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse on the same night.

Pinpoint the perfect weekend for leaf-peeping.

Can't wait for fall? Start planning the ultimate leaf-peeping expedition now with this interactive map showing peak foliage predictions for 2024.

Retro consoles will always have a place in our hearts.

If you have these consoles lying around, you might want to consider selling them on eBay.

These creepy crawlers must defend themselves from many predators, such as lizards, snakes, and birds.

A new study on tarantulas reveals surprising insights into their relationship with army ants.

A detail from Rembrandt’s masterpiece ‘The Night Watch.’

Completed in 1642, Rembrandt van Rijn's The Night Watch is not only a highlight of a career that spanned over 600 paintings, but also acclaimed as arguably the greatest portrait of the Dutch Baroque era.

There's a bat somewhere in here.

There’s a bat lurking somewhere among the ghosts, black cats, and pumpkins in this Halloween hidden image puzzle.

You better knock, knock, knock ... on wood.

Discover the origins of the classic phrase 'knock on wood,' which could be tied to a Victorian-era children's game or have more direct ties to old pagan traditions.

Scenes from the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Parade in New York City.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of Hispanic culture and history, offers a number of in-person and interactive events to get you plugged in.

If stored correctly, these beauties will last for many months.

Apple season is among us. Here’s how to make the produce last for as long as possible.

Do you know all of the abbreviations on this list?

See which text abbreviations have people turning to Google.

You know what they’re singing.

From a heartfelt spiritual, to a children’s campfire song, to a powerful protest anthem, to a derisive phrase, “Kumbaya” is certainly a bit of a musical chameleon.

It might not look like much, but this Neolithic door is as old as Stonehenge.

Historic doors can reveal a lot about their times—like the medieval trend of covering doors in (allegedly) human skin.

Can you figure it out?

This riddle dates back to the 17th century—can you figure it out?

We hope this vehicle is stationary.

Dogs love a good sensory experience. But letting them stick their head out of a moving car’s window is not a good idea. Here’s why.

Their ghosts didn’t actually campaign.

Several politicians have won elections posthumously. And no, fraud was not to blame.

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in 'Twilight' (2008).

It’s never a bad time to talk about the baseball scene in ‘Twilight.’

Porbeagle sharks can grow up to 12 feet long and can weigh around 500 pounds.

The new discovery could change the way scientists think about shark predation.

This or that?

In this episode of The List Show, host and Mental Floss editor-in-chief Erin McCarthy breaks down some commonly confused pairs.

How does your country rank?

It’s probably no #*$@ing surprise who came out on top—but some of the rankings might surprise you.

This recipe is a great way to upgrade spaghetti.

Try this tomato sauce recipe from ICE if you’re bored of pre-packaged options.

Abraham Lincoln just after uttering his last words.

Some presidents’ last words have been profound (“This is the last of earth; I am content”) and others have been merely practical (“Help!”).

Grab your magnifying glass.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?