Page 1810 – fakuto

November 24, 2016

The first native American to meet the Pilgrims….

The first native American to meet the Pilgrims walked into the Plymouth settlement and welcomed them in English and asked them for a beer. 10

November 24, 2016

There is a grocery store named “Thanksgiving”…

There is a grocery store named “Thanksgiving” in Paris that sells U.S. “cuisine” like Pop-Tarts, Heinz ketchup, and Skippy peanut butter to homesick ex-pats. 10

November 24, 2016

QVC’s Strangest Gift Item: The Poopin’ Moose

Jake Rossen

filed under: #TBT, Animals, poop

Image credit:

lemonmmermaid via YouTube

The official name of woodworker Darryl Fenton’s novelty item was the Wooden Moose Candy Dispenser. Handcrafted in his Wasilla, Alaska workshop, the unfinished, sanded animal carving had a rectangular opening in the back that could be stuffed with candy pieces. When the moose’s head was lifted, it dispensed the candy in a way that resembled a bowel movement.

QVC sold 30,000 of them in 10 minutes.

Colloquially known as the Poopin’ Moose, the wooden gift was discovered during the shopping network’s 50 state tour in 1997. Arriving in Alaska, buyers were presented with the moose by Glenn Munro of Unique Concepts, which had licensed the moose from Denton. The carving had been sold at regional fairs; QVC, knowing a demonstrable item when they saw one, agreed to put it on the air, leaving the sales pitch to its team of accomplished hosts.

“What better way to dispense your candy than through the butt of a moose?” wondered host Pat Bastia. Others stuffed brown M&Ms into the moose; host Steve Bryant pondered whether or not putting a Hershey chocolate bar in the item would result in diarrhea. When the moose became clogged with peanut candies, Bryant declared it “constipated” and inserted a finger to remove the blockage.

Denton, who had patented the device in 1995, couldn’t handcraft enough to meet demand. He outsourced production to several other plants; via Unique and other outlets, he sold over 100,000 in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

As the moose’s profile grew, Denton added animals that could defecate treats on demand: buffalo, mules, bunnies, and alpacas. He produced a premium Millennium Pooper—a walnut-carved moose with ivory eyes—and sold it for $150. A Pocket Pooper that miniaturized the moose was available for a brief time.

Unfortunately, Denton’s commitment to his craft would prove to be his undoing. In 2004, a rival poop gift named Mr. Moose was released. Offering a similar experience to the Poopin’ Moose, it was made in China and retailed for just $25, a fraction of the $100 handmade version. Suffering from neck problems and a financial crunch, Denton decided to discontinue further production. It never again appeared on QVC’s airwaves, a fact that disappointed onetime host Bryant, who spoke to author David Hofstede in 2004.

“It was handcrafted, provided jobs for people in Alaska, and it pooped M&Ms,” he said. “How cool is that?”

November 24, 2016 – 10:00am

November 24, 2016

Skip the Crowds with Our Readers’ Favorite Amazon Deals of the Year

Smart Shopping Team

filed under: shopping

Image credit:

amazon / istock

Since our Smart Shopping Team began hunting for great deals earlier this year, they’ve hit on quite a few that readers have loved. To give the team a break today, we’re sharing their most popular bargains, deals, and can’t-miss items of 2016 that you can grab great Black Friday week deals on.

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting!

November 24, 2016 – 9:00am

Amazon Product Id:

B01MEF5QLD

November 24, 2016

Heinz Beans Ad Pulled From the UK for Being “Dangerous”

Jake Rossen

filed under: advertising, Food

Image credit:

Heinz UK via YouTube

Aside from a little—or a lot—of gas, what could be dangerous about cans of baked beans? If you’re the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority, plenty. They’ve banned the commercial for Heinz Beanz featured below for fear it might incite injurious copycat behavior in children.

In the ad, several people are seen singing and drumming on empty tin cans. The song has a positive message about love, but the ASA fears it carries more sinister connotations: If a child were to try replicating the song with his or her own cans, they might cut themselves on the sharp edges of the can’s lip or lid.

According to Advertising Age, Heinz argued that no reports of any injuries had been issued. The ASA was unmoved and has prohibited the commercial from airing on broadcast television. “We considered there was a health and safety risk [in recreating the ‘Can Song’] particularly if a child was to attempt to play the song with an empty tin without adult supervision,” the agency said in a statement.

The ad is still available online, where it has racked up more 1.6 million views.

[h/t Advertising Age]

November 24, 2016 – 8:00am

November 24, 2016

Turkey

Questions:	5
Available:	Always
Pass rate:	75 %
Backwards navigation:	Forbidden

site_icon:

quizzes

Kara Kovalchik

10 Contestants for Earth’s Next Superpower

Edison’s Eccentric Job Interview Questions: A Cheat Sheet

11 Hidden Messages in Company Logos

10 Lifehacks from 100 Years Ago

quiz_type:

multichoice

Rich Title:

Turkey

CTA Text Quiz End:

Wednesday, November 23, 2016 – 09:52

Schedule Publish:

November 24, 2016

20 Space-Related Gifts for the Astronomer in Your Life

Rebecca OConnell

filed under: Gift Guide, space

Image credit:

ThinkGeek

Have a few friends who are always looking up at the sky? Here are some gift ideas that celebrate the celestial bodies they know and love.

1. MOON LIGHT BALL; $10

Amazon

The whole moon can be lassoed out of space and brought near you. Give this 4-inch lunar light to anyone who needs a little illumination on their desk or in their closet.

Find It: Amazon

2. SATURN CRYSTAL PUZZLE; $8

Amazon

Take puzzles to another dimension with a 3D crystal model of Saturn. The jigsaw is made of 39 interlocking pieces that come together to form the shape of the ringed planet.

Find It: Amazon

3. PLANETARY GLASSES; $20

Amazon

Now, your loved one can take drinks from all the planets in the solar system. This set comes with eight glasses (which can hold up to 10 ounces) that look like the planets, along with the sun (which holds up to 16 ounces) and Pluto (which holds up to 4 ounces). The designs are applied to the glass with a high temperature heat wrap, so they can’t be put in the dishwasher—but would you really want to get the sun wet?

Find It: Amazon

4. SOLAR SYSTEM NECKLACE; $40

ThinkGeek

Have a friend who believes they’re the center of the universe? Now, they can really assume that role with a miniature version of the solar system wrapped around their neck. This necklace from ThinkGeek comes on an 18-inch chain and features an array of colorful semi-precious gems. It has all the planets, plus the sun, Pluto, and an asteroid belt.

Find It: ThinkGeek

5. GLOW IN THE DARK CONSTELLATION MAP; $25

Amazon

Skip the travel poster and go for something really out of this world. With the lights on, this nearly 29-inch poster shows the stars and constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. When you flip off the lights, the lines fade and the stars and Milky Way shine vibrantly.

Find It: Amazon

6. CHART OF SPACE EXPLORATION; $38

Pop Chart Labs

This all-inclusive map from Pop Chart Lab details the history of cosmic exploration by highlighting every orbiter, lander, rover, flyby, and impactor to ever enter space. In total, the chart features 100 exploratory instruments.

Find It: Pop Chart Lab

7. ASTRONAUT ICE CREAM; $6

Amazon

We can’t all be astronauts, but we can at least eat like them. Though the Neapolitan square was originally created for early Apollo Space Missions, it isn’t eaten by modern astronauts today because of its crumbly nature. Still, it’s a novelty snack worth trying. The ice cream is frozen at -40 degrees and vacuum dried, so it doesn’t need to be kept in the freezer.

Find It: Amazon

8. SPACE PLATES; $39

Amazon

A great addition to any space-themed kitchen, the melamine plates feature watercolor designs of the eight planets (Sorry, Pluto!) that will make any entrée seem otherworldly.

Find It: Amazon

9. EARTH FLEECE; $30

ThinkGeek

Global warming suddenly has a new—and less dire—meaning. These 60-inch fleece blankets feature actual NASA photographs of Earth, Jupiter, or Mars.

Find It: ThinkGeek

10. LITTLE DIPPER EARRINGS; $18

Amazon

Astrology fans can wear the iconic constellation right in their ears. The set comes with a small star earring and a constellation-shaped ear wrap, made with sterling silver and AAA zircon.

Find It: Amazon

11. PLANET BALL SOCKS; $9

Amazon

At first glance, this looks like a plush toy of Earth, but once you unroll it, a pair of colorful socks emerges.

Find It: Amazon

12. HEAT CHANGING MUG; $15

ThinkGeek

Nerdy coffee drinkers will love this mug featuring the red supergiant V838 Monocerotis. When the cup—which can hold up to 20 ounces—is filled with hot water, the design changes to show the light echo of its stellar outburst.

Find It: ThinkGeek

13. ASTRONAUT JUMPSUIT; $84

Tipsy Elves

This cotton jumpsuit mimics the look of a spacesuit and even has a removable cooler for storing space beer. If your giftee needs room for storing more items (moon rocks, for instance), there are also two zippered pockets on the side.

Find It: Tipsy Elves

14. FINDERS KEEPERS SHIRT; $24

Busted Tees

Here is a humorous shirt for patriotic friends and family. It features an astronaut on the moon with the triumphant words, “FINDERS KEEPERS.” The shirts come in men’s and women’s, in sizes ranging from small to triple XL.

Find It: Busted Tees

15. SPACE POPS; $30

ThinkGeek

If Earth had a flavor, what would it be? Cotton candy, according to this collection of 10 handmade lollipops featuring pictures of all the planets of the solar system, plus the sun and Pluto. Each celestial body has its own unique flavor. (Spoiler alert: Pluto is strawberry kiwi.)

Find It: ThinkGeek

16. VIRTUAL REALITY PLANETARIUM; $99

Amazon

Give your loved one the gift of a planetarium that they can hold in their hands. The device has eight different modes and three hours of educational audio and is compatible with images of 150 different celestial objects, all taken by the Hubble Telescope.

Find It: Amazon

17. MOON PHASE EARRINGS; $45

Uncommon Goods

Perfect for both the science-inclined and the mystics in your life, these brass earrings show the phases of the moon covered by little dollops of glass.

Find It: Uncommon Goods

18. SOLAR SYSTEM WATCH; $13

Amazon

As it’s telling time, this watch certainly makes a statement. Lacking any numbers, the accessory has three working hands that dutifully move around the face of the watch.

Find It: Amazon

19. USB ASTRONAUT LIGHT; $5

Amazon

Working late into the night doesn’t have to be lonely with this astronaut companion. Simply plug it into a USB port and its helmet will give off a warm glow of LED light.

Find It: Amazon

20. SUPERNOVA SKIRT; $35

ModCloth

Help your loved one show off their supernova “flare” with this skirt that features a faux-leather waistband and a vibrant design of a galaxy.

Find It: ModCloth

November 24, 2016 – 6:00am

November 24, 2016

Morning Cup of Links: Thanksgiving Dinner Calorie Count

Miss Cellania

filed under: Links

Image credit:

Alcinoe via Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

The average Thanksgiving dinner is around 2,500 calories. They used large servings to calculate that, so go ahead and have a second helping.
*
The science of survival in Antarctica. A series of four videos tells us how people live and work down there non the cold.
*
What’s Up With The British Tea Obsession? It started out to cure whatever ails ya.
*
The Invention of News. Journalism is easier when someone goes ahead and writes a press release.
*
Visit the Kansas farm that accidentally became the digital center of the U.S. When you live at the default location, all kinds of horrible things happen.
*
The Catholic Church has a new phone app for making a confession. It’s named The Catholic App, but many are already calling is Sinder.
*
President Obama had a ‘corny-copia’ of bad dad jokes at this year’s turkey pardon. With two months to retirement, you can blame him for having a little fun.
*
Why We Eat What We Eat On Thanksgiving. Mainly because our traditional dishes are just so darn delicious.

November 24, 2016 – 5:00am

November 24, 2016

The Silver Swan Automaton Will Visit London’s Science Museum Next Year

Rudie Obias

filed under: museums, robots, travel

Image credit:

By Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

After nearly 150 years of staying put at England’s Bowes Museum, the Silver Swan—a one-of-a-kind, life-sized swan automaton and music box—is about to take flight. Created in 1773 by Belgian inventor John Joseph Merlin along with British jeweler James Cox, the mechanism will be on display as part of “Robots,” a new exhibition that’s opening at London’s Science Museum in February, according to Cult of Weird.

The Silver Swan is widely known for its precision craftsmanship, detailed silverwork, and advancements in clockwork gears. When it’s wound up, the music box plays and the river the swan floats on—composed of rotating glass cylinders—begins to stream. The automaton then begins to preen itself, as it moves its head from side to side. The swan later dips its head down to catch and eat one of the small silver fish swimming below. It finally lifts its head again, a fish wriggling in its mouth, as the performance ends after 32 seconds of elegant “dancing.” A waterfall was believed to be positioned behind the Silver Swan at one time, but it was stolen during years of touring.

The automaton gained mass popularity when it was put on display at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris, France. Mark Twain actually saw the swan in person at that event, the second world’s fair, and wrote about the oddity in The Innocents Abroad. According to Twain, the swan “had a living grace about his movement and a living intelligence in his eyes.”

“We are thrilled that the Silver Swan—one of the greatest 18th-century automatons—will be part of our ‘Robots’ exhibition,” Ben Russell, the Science Museum’s lead curator, said. “The Swan is an amazing evocation of life, and makes us reflect on our endless fascination with replicating living things in mechanical form.”

The Silver Swan will make its way to the Science Museum from February 8 to March 23, 2017.

[h/t Cult of Weird]

November 24, 2016 – 4:00am

November 24, 2016

The ‘Resident Evil 7’ Collector’s Edition Comes With a Tiny Haunted House

Rudie Obias

filed under: Pop Culture, video-games

Image credit:

Resident Evil/YouTube

For the past 20 years, the Resident Evil franchise has been the leader of horror video games with its creepy design, monstrous creatures, and more than two dozen titles in its library. However, the upcoming Resident Evil 7: Biohazard has outdone itself with a special collector’s edition release, which comes with a detailed 8-inch model of the Baker plantation mansion from the video game, Engadget reports.

The limited edition haunted house replica comes with flashing LED lights and speakers, as it doubles as a spooky music box. It plays a sample of “Go Tell Aunt Rhody,” the main theme from Resident Evil 7. The collector’s edition—which is exclusive to GameStop—also comes with an old VHS tape box, a metal case, a severed bloody finger that doubles as a 4GB USB stick, a lithograph of the Baker family, and a mysterious creepy note that reads, “I shall dash you against the stones,” which is a verse from the Bible.

GameStop

The Resident Evil 7: Biohazard collector’s edition, which will be released on January 24, 2017, will retail for $179.99 and will be available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The video game is also available on PC, but not the special collector’s edition with all the extra goodies.

[h/t Engadget]

November 24, 2016 – 2:00am

GADGETS

KITCHEN

HOME

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

OFFICE, SCHOOL, AND CRAFTS

OUTDOORS, GARDEN, AND SPORTS

ELECTRONICS

TOOLS

1. MOON LIGHT BALL; $10

2. SATURN CRYSTAL PUZZLE; $8

3. PLANETARY GLASSES; $20

4. SOLAR SYSTEM NECKLACE; $40

5. GLOW IN THE DARK CONSTELLATION MAP; $25

6. CHART OF SPACE EXPLORATION; $38

7. ASTRONAUT ICE CREAM; $6

8. SPACE PLATES; $39

9. EARTH FLEECE; $30

10. LITTLE DIPPER EARRINGS; $18

11. PLANET BALL SOCKS; $9

12. HEAT CHANGING MUG; $15

13. ASTRONAUT JUMPSUIT; $84

14. FINDERS KEEPERS SHIRT; $24

15. SPACE POPS; $30

16. VIRTUAL REALITY PLANETARIUM; $99

17. MOON PHASE EARRINGS; $45

18. SOLAR SYSTEM WATCH; $13

19. USB ASTRONAUT LIGHT; $5

20. SUPERNOVA SKIRT; $35