Kerry Wolfe

Connecticut

Staff Editor at Mental Floss

staff editor @mental_floss | former associate places editor @atlasobscura

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Articles

13 Fascinating Historical Figures You Probably Didn’t Learn About in History Class

4 weeks ago | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

From a pirate queen to a groundbreaking stunt pilot to the guy who gave us kitty litter, we’re covering a whole bunch of overlooked historical figures in the latest episode of The List Show. If you were an English sailor in the 1500s, you did not want to encounter Grace O’Malley. The Irish “Pirate Queen” was a force to be reckoned with.
The 15 Best (and Worst) U.S. Cities for Single People

Jan 1, 2025 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

Looking for love? Your geography may (or may not) be doing you any favors.
Our 15 Most Popular Stories of 2024

Dec 27, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

You guys really, really like maps. Mental Floss has always been a home for curious content, and we published all sorts of weird and wonderful stories this year, from the strange creatures prowling the pages of medieval bestiaries to the history of Uncrustables. We also honored some big anniversaries, including the 100th anniversary of George Mallory’s final climb up Mount Everest and the 50th anniversary of the hominin fossil Lucy’s discovery.
25 Things Turning 25 in 2025

Dec 17, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

Feeling old yet? Even though we’re only a quarter of the way through the 21st century, we’ve seen major advances in everything from pop culture to technology. Here are 25 of the best things the year 2000 gave us, from the birth of iconic franchises to scientific advancements that we may take for granted. Get ready for a blast from the past—Y2K style. Camera PhoneUSB Flash DriveHow The Grinch Stole ChristmasHeelys, Inc.
8 Fascinating But Not-So-Jolly Legends About St. Nicholas

Dec 5, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

St. Nicholas may have inspired Santa Claus, but the two figures were remarkably different. By Saba Khonsari Blanding|21 seconds agoIt is hard to imagine the cheery, plump version of Santa Claus emerged from Saint Nicholas, the 4th century Bishop of Myra who, as a nursing infant, fasted on holy days and whose bones were stolen after his death. Instead of a “right jolly old elf,” St. Nicholas is the patron saint of everything from brewers to pawnbrokers to murderers.
20 Maps That Changed the World

Dec 5, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

How we illustrate the world affects how we experience it. By Lorna Wallace|4 minutes agoA lot has changed in the world of cartography since people first started trying to map the world, with advancements in knowledge and technology over the centuries leading to increased accuracy. And yet each map offers a subjective view of the world, one that is shaped by the specific time and culture in which it was produced.
The Ultimate Christmas Trivia List

Dec 1, 2024 | msn.com | Kerry Wolfe

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The Ultimate Christmas Trivia List

Dec 1, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

Get ready to feel like the smartest person at the holiday party. By Kerry Wolfe|Dec 1, 2024The holiday season is prime time to gather with family and friends and bust out your favorite pieces of trivia. If you’re looking to wow a crowd with fun, obscure facts and tidbits about all things Christmas, we have you covered—and we’ve also sprinkled in a handful of holiday quizzes so you can test your knowledge, too.
9 People Who Shaped Christmas

Nov 26, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

Christmas as we know it would not exist without them. By Jane Alexander|Nov 26, 2024Christmas celebrations may vary by household, but a lot of holiday festivities share a number of common traditions. Some rituals have been around for a long time, while others are surprisingly newer developments. But all traditions, regardless of their age, started somewhere—or in this case, with someone. Here are nine people who, in a variety of different ways, influenced how we celebrate Christmas.
The 15 States That Produce the Most Christmas Trees

Nov 23, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Kerry Wolfe

When it comes to Christmas tree production, Oregon reigns supreme. By Meredith Danko|Nov 23, 2024If you went out and bought the viral Home Depot Christmas tree this year, you’re one of the 77 percent of Americans who opt for an artificial tree over a live one. But still, this holiday season will see millions of Americans heading to a farm or parking lot (or perhaps even a national forest!), picking out a real live tree, driving it home, and proudly displaying it.