Month: September 2016

Matches are so cheap and ubiquitous that it can be easy to underestimate what a scientific marvel they truly are. While our ancient ancestors had to laboriously spark rocks or use wooden bow drills to light a fire, the combination of chemicals on a match head lets us create a flame instantaneously.

In the short video above, Science Channel goes behind the scenes at a match factory, revealing how matchbooks are made, step by step. First, industrial workers cook up a giant potion of potassium chlorate, gelatin, silica granules, and boiling water to create the substance for the match heads. Then, massive, complex machines divide, organize, and package matchsticks, in a process that is awe-inspiring in both scale and efficiency.

Banner Image Credit: Science Channel, YouTube

Fans of the Adult Swim cartoon Rick and Morty are likely well aware of the Meeseeks Box and the troubles that come with it. ThinkGeek decided to create a game based on the box, which captures all the original stress and repetition from the season one episode, “Meeseeks and Destroy.”

As a quick refresher, the Meeseeks Box was a gift from Rick to the Smith family. When the button on top was pushed, a blue figure emerged to help solve any problem the user was having. When the task was completed, the Mr. Meeseeks ceased to exist. The trouble only starts when the user fails to complete their goal. As the Mr. Meeseeks explains, “We are created to serve a singular purpose for which we will go to any lengths to fulfill! Existence is pain to a Meeseeks, Jerry!”

In the Rick and Morty Mr. Meeseeks’ Box-O’-Fun, the game follows a similar narrative. To begin, the player pulls a card with a specific task on it. The player then rolls the dice and tries to get a number that matches the number on the card. If they fail, they must press the button and summon a Mr. Meeseeks. Each blue character can either help with the task or make it even harder to complete. Players can keep drawing cards until the request is complete or opt to complete a dare. 

The set comes with 24 dice, 35 request cards, 60 dare cards, 50 Mr. Meeseeks cards, a timer, and a button voiced by Justin Roiland. You can order the game at ThinkGeek for $40. 

[h/t The Daily Dot]

If it’s been a while since you took a trip to the place where you grew up, you might find yourself missing the sights and smells of your home state. Homesick transplants can now find comfort in a nostalgic candle that borrows familiar scents from various states across the country.

Homesick Candles is a line of soy candles dedicated to channeling various smells from each state. New Yorkers can find comfort in a candle that smells like apple and pumpkin, while Georgians can enjoy the rich smell of peaches. Californians can choose between a candle that smells like the northern half of their state (pear and redwood) or the southern part (cactus, orange, ocean).

So far, the series has tackled 30 of the 50 states, but you can provide your email to get notified when new scents hit the shelves.

[h/t So Bad So Good]

Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.

6 Amazing Geoglyphs. You might want to fly over and see them someday.
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The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity. There are five, which you may have already discovered on your own.  
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My Mom Grew Up in a Utopian Colony in Iowa. The Amana were a strict religious sect that gave us freezers and microwaves.
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Watch Alistair Brownlee help his brother Jonny cross the finish line at the World Triathlon Series. He actually pushed his brother over the line to win second place.  
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Dads in Khaki Shorts. He deserves to be comfortable!
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How The Blair Witch Project Terrorized a Town. Burkittsville, Maryland, will never be the same.
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Why You Should Pay a Penny to Send an Email. Would that be enough to slow down the deluge of messages?
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As German Bombs Fell on Paris, Marie Curie Decided to Go to War. She brought x-ray machines to battlefield hospitals for the first time.