Mental Floss

VIDEO

YouTube // Reactions

Wasabi vs. ‘Wasabi’

The paste is a lie.

YouTube // The Apple History Channel

On This Date in 1997, Microsoft Invested in Apple

"We have to let go of the notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft needs to lose." -Steve Jobs, 19 years ago

YouTube

Bald Eagle Attacks an Osprey Nest During a Live Feed

Three young birds were alone when the predator struck late one evening.

YouTube // Tested

The Science Behind a Bed of Nails

A bed of ONE nail is far more dangerous than a bed crammed with them.

Scientists Have Found a Weird Purple Orb on the California Seafloor

Researchers were ready to fight a crab over rights to the mysterious prize.

YouTube // Tiny Dancer

8 Of Our Favorite Bob, Gordon, and Luis Moments from Sesame Street

Bob, Gordon, and Luis have left Sesame Street. Let's celebrate our neighbors!

NASA (Public Domain)

Today in 1969, Apollo 11 Splashed Down

Then President Nixon chatted with the astronauts while they were in a quarantine capsule.

Video Shows How Los Angeles Has Changed Since the 1940s

The footage is perfectly synced.

Getty

Red vs. Blu: How Sony Won the HD DVD Format Wars

They lost the Betamax battle, but they refused to lose the war.

The Internet Archive

Watch Hours of '80s and '90s TV Commercials

If these don't take you back, nothing will.

Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan

When Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan Accidentally Flew to Ireland Instead of California

Douglas Corrigan earned the nickname "Wrong Way" on July 17, 1938, when he filed a flight plan from Brooklyn to Long Beach, California—but ended up in Ireland.

Screenshot via YouTube

Watch Rare Movie Footage of Early 20th Century Artists

In 1915, Renoir, Degas, and more appeared on film created with the then-new-fangled technology of motion pictures.

YouTube // TED-Ed

Can You Solve 'Einstein's Riddle?'

Einstein didn't write it, but it's still a great puzzle.

YouTube // Primitive Technology

Making a Bow and Arrows from Scratch

Some trees, a few pointy rocks, feathers...hey, you've got yourself a bow and arrows!

YouTube // robatsea2009

Watch 8 of William Shatner's Early TV Ads

Margarine, computers, defunct airlines, regional grocery stores, kerosene heaters....

YouTube // Blank on Blank

An Animated Interview With Bob Dylan, Age 20

"Sometimes I could go about two weeks without making up a song." -Bob Dylan in 1962.

Watch a Man Eat Civil War Rations From 1863

One YouTube user eats an actual piece of hardtack made for Union soldiers over a century and a half ago.

How to Remove Chewing Gum From Clothing

Water alone is no match for chewing gum.

How to Cook Fried Chicken in the 18th Century

Things were done a little differently in 1736.

How to Cook Fried Chicken in the 18th Century

Things were done a little differently in 1736.

Baby Sloths' Giant Poops Defy Physics/All Decency

How can such a small animal produce such a large turd?

See Anthrax's Scott Ian Become a Game of Thrones White Walker

See how makeup designer Barrie Gower turns stuntmen into the undead.

The New York Times Video

Can You Walk Your Cat on a Leash?

You probably can...but does your cat want to?

YouTube // NPR Music

Watch Master Violinist/Whistler Andrew Bird in Concert

"Semantics like a noose...get out your dictionaries!" -Andrew Bird, lyrical boss