LONGFORM

John James Audubon dreamed of creating life-sized portraits of every species of bird in North America. The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest books ever made—and to read them, his customers would need to hire a carpenter.

The hottest toy of 1996—which led to concussions, mass hysteria, and one designer becoming a Unabomber suspect—is making a comeback.

In a world plagued by Muzak, John Cage needed to find a quiet way to make a powerful statement.

The Salton Sea was created by accident, is heavily polluted, and can't survive on its own. Why bother to save this strange place?

Lara's skills as a master forger got him out of jail—but by then his frauds were all over the world.

Once a month, in an exclusive Philadelphia dining room, the greatest minds in criminal justice gather to crack the nation’s coldest cases.

The most anticipated eclipse in American history is coming this summer. At the heart of it is Hopkinsville, Kentucky, which anticipates 100,000 visitors. Mental Floss takes a look behind the small town's preparations—and a deep dive into the passionate su

King Zog of Albania planned to recreate his court in a Long Island mansion—but he never even visited.

How a chicken farmer, a pair of princesses, and 27 imaginary spies helped the allies win World War II.

With enough funding, they will analyze—and then reinter—the remains of people buried between 1707 and 1859 in a Baptist cemetery—and mental_floss will be in the lab with them.

With enough funding, they will analyze—and then reinter—the remains of people buried between 1707 and 1859 in a Baptist cemetery—and mental_floss will be in the lab with them.

Last year, former circus performer Silke Pan began doing something she never thought would be possible again: walk.