Tag Archives: Mental Floss

No Binoculars Doomed Titanic

January 21, 2015Just the Facts Ma'am26 little things that changed history forever, John Green, Mental FlossCall Me Stormy

OK information junkies, did you realize that the crew of the Titanic could have avoided their fatal collision with the Atlantic iceberg if they had been using binoculars to scan the ocean? Turns out, David Blair was given the job of second officer on the Titanic but he was replaced. And when he left the ship, he took the key to his locker, which contained the binoculars. The ship’s lookout leader later admitted that with those binoculars they would have spotted the iceberg in plenty of time to avoid it. Check out 25 other things that changed history forever in this edition of Mental Floss hosted by John Green.

Turning 21

January 6, 2015Just the Facts Ma'am21 things that turned 21, John Green, Mental FlossCall Me Stormy

John Green and Mental Floss are back with a wealth of trivia-tastic information. To launch 2015, Green has strung together 21 things that turned 21 this year, such as e-mail debuted in the White House in 1993. You could actually chat online with President Clinton at president@whitehouse.gov. The White House website did not launch until 1994. Tune in to this edition of Mental Floss for 20 more things that turned 21.

Debunking Myths About Sleep

December 8, 2014Just the Facts Ma'amcardiovascular disease, diabetes, Elliott Morgan, Mental Floss, sleepCall Me Stormy

There are many myths about sleep, such as your body will get used to sleep over time. Not true. In reality, it’s not possible to adjust to less sleep. Side effects include stress and less concentration. In addition, less sleep can result in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Join Elliott Morgan in this edition of “Misconceptions” on Mental Floss, as he debunks some other myths about sleep.

‘Net and Web Not One in Same

December 3, 2014Just the Facts Ma'amElliott Morgan, Mental Floss, technology misconceptionsCall Me Stormy

One of the biggest misconceptions floating out there is that the Internet and the World Wide Web are one and the same. Not true. Invented in 1969, the Internet is the network of hardware and software that connects all of us. The World Wide Web was invented in 1990 and is what you find on your browser, such as Safari, Chrome or Firefox to search sites like this one. In other words, the Internet makes the Web possible. Join Elliott Morgan as he details nine other technology misconceptions in this edition of Mental Floss.

35 Jobs That Became Obsolete

September 22, 2014Just the Facts Ma'am35 Jobs that don't exist anymore, Elliott Morgan, Mental FlossCall Me Stormy

Bowling Alleys once employed young boys to set up the pins for clients, then the electric pinsetter was invented in 1936. This is among the plethora of jobs that no longer exist. Host Elliott Morgan unveils 34 other odd jobs that are nowhere to be found in this episode of Mental Floss.

The Inside Scoop On Comedy

July 29, 2014LOLcomedy, John Green, Married With Children, Mental Floss, Mike Myers, ShrekCall Me Stormy

Did you know that the original title of the Married With Children comedy pilot was Not the Cosbys? Or that Mike Myers was offered the role of Shrek at the premiere of Saving Private Ryan? These are just two of 39 facts about comedy in this episode of Mental Floss with host John Green. Enjoy and please continue to tune in to LOL for a stroll through the lighter side of life.

Paw-some Facts Abouts Dogs

July 24, 2014Just the Facts Ma'amdogs, John Green, Mental FlossCall Me Stormy

President George H.W. Bush’s dog, Lilly, gave birth to a litter of puppies while in residence at the White House. Not surprisingly, one of the pups, Spot, returned to the Pennsylvania Avenue a few years later during the term of President George W. Bush. This is just one of 41 unusual facts about dogs in this edition of Mental Floss, narrated by John Green.

Once Alive, Now Extinct

April 14, 2014It's Nature's WayEmily Graslie, extinct lifeforms, Mental Floss, QuetzalcoatlusCall Me Stormy

In this edition of Mental Floss, Emily Graslie reveals 21 mind-blowing, now extinct lifeforms. For instance, Quetzalcoatlus, the closest creature to dragons that ever lived. It stood as tall as a giraffe and had a wingspan of 40 feet. Check out the remaining 20 marvels of nature.

A Productive President

March 28, 2014Just the Facts Ma'amJohn Green, John Tyler, Mental FlossCall Me Stormy

The 10th president of the United States, John Tyler, fathered more children than any other commander in chief. He had eight children with his first wife and seven with his second spouse. This is one of 43 of trivia-tastic facts about American presidents from Mental Floss, hosted by John Green.

See You in the Funnies

March 12, 2014Humor Me27 facts about comic strips, John Green, Mental FlossCall Me Stormy

Hey, comic junkies, get your fix of trivia-tastic info with John Green in this edition of Mental Floss. Among the 27 nuggets in the following video: “Katzenjammer Kids” comic strip was the first to use speech bubbles,” Green says. “It’s also the oldest comic strip ever. It started in 1897 and still puts out new comics today.”

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