Mental Floss was founded in 2001 by Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur when they were students at Duke University. The idea came from their late-night dorm discussions where they would share interesting facts and have humorous debates about various topics. They wanted to create a magazine that would capture the spirit of those conversations, packaging information in an entertaining and accessible way. In 2018, Mental Floss was acquired by Minute Media, which continues to own and operate the brand today. Based in New York City, Mental Floss covers a wide range of topics including history, science, pop culture, language, and entertainment. Mental Floss delivers its content through its website, social media platforms, YouTube channel, and various digital formats, reaching readers across the globe with its unique blend of education and entertainment. **One interesting fact**: Mental Floss got an early boost from an unexpected source - consumer advocate Ralph Nader. During a speech at Duke University, Nader spent the first 10 minutes talking about the upcoming launch of Mental Floss, thanks to a note sneakily left on the podium by co-founder Will Pearson. This impromptu endorsement created significant buzz for the magazine before its first issue was even published.