LONGFORM

Sex Symbol: How Antinous Became a Gay Code Word in the Victorian Era

The Greek youth Antinous drowned in the Nile—but he would go on to have one of the most remarkable afterlives in history.

Fourteen years before 'Titanic' sank, a novella featuring an eerily similar disaster was published.

The Novel That (Seemingly) Predicted the 'Titanic' Disaster

It’s a scene of visceral horror that probably sounds familiar to nearly every contemporary reader: On an April night, a majestic ocean liner plows through the N

Stephanie St. Clair ran Harlem's numbers game for years.

Stephanie St. Clair, Harlem's Queen of the Underworld

In early 20th-century Harlem, gambling belonged to “Madame Queen.”

The Centennial Light shines on (and on and on) in Livermore, California.

This Light Bulb Has Been Burning Since 1901

The Centennial Light in Livermore, California, has been burning since 1901.

Karolina Kristensson, the Swedish National Maritime Museums

The Quest to Find—and Save—the World's Most Famous Shipwreck

In 1628, the 'Vasa' sank on its maiden voyage. For the next 300 years, it sat in a watery grave—until one man sparked a monumental effort to salvage it.

An 1858 cartoon shows Death rowing down the polluted River Thames.

How London's Great Stink Turned the Tide of Victorian Pollution

In 1858, Londoners were overwhelmed with the stench rising from the River Thames. Joseph Bazalgette built an entire sewer system to get rid of of the smell.

Photo Illustration by Lucy Quintanilla. Image: iStock.

The Quest to Break America’s Most Mysterious Code—And Find $60 Million in Buried Treasure

For the past century, the quest to break the Beale Ciphers has attracted the military, computer scientists, and conspiracy theorists. All have failed.

Edgar Allan Poe's Cipher Challenge

Edgar Allan Poe loved ciphers—and in 1841, "The Raven" author issued a cipher-related challenge.

Elmo went before Congress to make a case for music education.

Mr. Monster Goes to Washington: When Elmo Testified in Front of Congress

The beloved 'Sesame Street' star went to Capitol Hill 20 years ago and became the first non-human to ever testify in front of Congress.

Al Capone: Public Enemy #1, soup kitchen proprietor

When Al Capone Ran a Soup Kitchen During the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, 50 percent of Chicago's workforce was out of a job. Al Capone, the city's bloodthirstiest gangster, stepped in feed the hungry.

"Power my horseless carriage with water? The hell you say!"

Fuel's Errand: Louis Enricht and the Great Gasoline Hoax of 1916

With one drop of his mysterious green liquid, Louis Enricht claimed he could turn water into nearly-free fuel. He was a dirty liar.

Agent 355: The American Revolution’s Most Mysterious Female Spy

The spy thriller 'The 355' gets its title from a Culper Spy Ring agent known only as “355.” Who was she?

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Joe Cole in Against the Ice.

The Harrowing Arctic Survival Story Behind Netflix's Against the Ice

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is bringing Ejnar Mikkelsen’s death-defying Arctic expedition to the big screen. Here’s the history behind it.

Georgia Gilmore's food helped feed the civil rights movement.

Georgia Gilmore, the Alabama Cook Who Fueled the Civil Rights Movement With Food

Georgia Gilmore played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement—one of feeding and funding those at the frontlines. A marvelous cook, she took it upon herself to bring together a secret society-esque group of women who used food to fuel the movement.

Virginia Hall has long been one of the unsung heroes of World War II.

'The Limping Lady': Virginia Hall, the One-Legged World War II Superspy

Despite having shot her own leg off in a hunting accident, Virginia Hall became one of the most feared Allied spies of the war.

Remembering Sandy Allen, the Tallest Woman in the World

As a teenager, Sandy Allen was already over 7 feet tall—an impressive and unusual stature that would define her for the rest of her life.

Pack of Lies: The Enduring Legacy (and Mystery) of Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight"

"In the Air Tonight," Phil Collins's first solo single, has been inspiring vigorous air-drumming and bizarre rumors for more than 40 years.

With one phone call to Moviefone, movie lovers could find out what was playing at local theaters.

'Dick Clark on Crack': How Mr. Moviefone Gave a Voice to Moviegoers

In the old days, you sometimes had to just show up to a movie theater and hope something good was playing. Then Moviefone changed everything.

Lonely at the Top: Protecting Hyperion, the World's Tallest Tree

Redwood National Park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. But you won't find it marked on any maps—and that's for its own good.

Lonely at the Top: Protecting Hyperion, the World's Tallest Tree

Redwood National Park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. But you won't find it marked on any maps—and that's for its own good.

Lonely at the Top: Protecting Hyperion, the World's Tallest Tree

Redwood National Park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. But you won't find it marked on any maps—and that's for its own good.

Venus Flytraps in Peril: Why Everyone's Favorite Carnivorous Houseplant Is Under Threat

The Venus flytrap is a favorite houseplant, but its ubiquity hides a world of threats. Now, some scientists think they have a solution for saving it.

Seward's Folly: The Conspiracy Theory That Has Plagued New York City's William Seward Statue for More Than a Century

For more than a century, a rumor has circulated that the William Seward statue in New York City's Madison Square Park is a composite—Seward's head plopped on Abraham Lincoln's body. Where did the rumor come from and ... is it true?

Illustration for Mental Floss by @kevnyan // Inspired by the cover of Narrative Relating to the Real Embalmed Head of Oliver Cromwell

The Strange Saga of Oliver Cromwell's Head

Death was just the beginning for the embalmed noggin of former Lord Protector of England, Ireland, and Scotland Oliver Cromwell.

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