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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Twas the Night Book Giveaway

Published on November 30, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities

Enter the contest to win a signed copy of the book Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem by Pamela McColl!

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Retrocast #22 – Podcast #208

Published on November 30, 2023

Posted in: Podcast, Retrocasts

Latest episode! In this episode: A hippopotamus is on the loose in Detroit, a skydiver in freefall grabs a parachute from another skydiver, Chicago steaks are really horse meat, a boy’s crib is struck by lightning, and much more!

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Slippery the Sea Lion – Podcast #207

Published on November 14, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Escape and Survival, Podcast

Cyril, the sea lion, embarked on an epic escape from a London, Ontario zoo in 1958, setting his sights on the vast Atlantic Ocean. Could he make it?

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Vice-Principal Cuts Offensive Images from Sex-Ed Textbooks (1978)

Published on October 31, 2023

Posted in: Schools & Education, Tidbits

Dumont High School Vice-Principal Edward R. Fisco decided to take a pair of scissors and cut out images that he deemed offensive from 50 copies of the school's sex ed textbook.

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His Feet Were Too Big for the Marines (1944)

Published on October 27, 2023

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Miscellaneous, Tidbits

Lawrence Irving Hanson's feet really were too big for the US Marines. Yet he still joined up, but soon ran into a BIG shoe problem...

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Boston Women Race to the Altar (1938)

Published on October 25, 2023

Posted in: Law & Order, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Women who worked for Boston Edison risked being fired if they didn't marry by April 30, 1938. Many quickly married to avoid the deadline.

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Retrocast #21 – Podcast #206

Published on October 23, 2023

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Podcast, Retrocasts

Boston women face deadline to marry, a man’s feet are too big for the US Marines, a vice-principal cuts offensive images from a sex-ed textbook, and much more!

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The Naked Mustard Ladies – Podcast #205

Published on October 9, 2023

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Podcast

A bizarre true story that involves mustard, relish, the UPS, and three nude Michigan women. It was one that gained national notoriety, but quickly disappeared into the shadows of obscurity.

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Leonardo de Toenail (1980)

Published on September 28, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Tidbits

The unusual true story of a man who snuck under library tables to paint women's toenails with nail polish.

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Woman Repeatedly Fails Driver’s Test (1969)

Published on September 26, 2023

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

Just what is the world record for failing test to obtain a driver's license? Let's just say it is a very large number...

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The Perpetual Student (1908)

Published on September 23, 2023

Posted in: Tidbits

William Cullen Bryant Kemp was required to attend Columbia University for the remainder of his life to avoid losing an inheritance. Was this really true?

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Retrocast #20 – Podcast #204

Published on September 20, 2023

Posted in: Podcast, Retrocasts

A kangaroo is on the loose in NYC, a woman fails her driving test 39 times, someone is sneaking under the tables at college libraries and painting women’s toenails, and much more!

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Boxed for a Better Life – Podcast #203

Published on September 11, 2023

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Love & Marriage, Podcast

In 1901, Johann Beck was deeply in love with his fiancé Johanna but jobless in Germany. They dreamt of a new life in the U.S., but funds were scarce. Johann's ingenious plan to cross the Atlantic changed everything. Was love able to conquer all?

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Male Go-Go Dancers Need to Wear Bras (1975)

Published on August 22, 2023

Posted in: Entertainment, Tidbits

Male dancers at the Merritt House in Dundalk, Maryland were told that they would need to cover their bare chests. Brassieres were suggested.

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Man Can Only Have Home If Goat Moves In Too (1946)

Published on August 19, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Tidbits

Housing was in short supply after WWII. One woman agreed to rent her home only if the occupants agreed to bring a goat with them.

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Recent Podcast Episodes

Retrocast #22 – Podcast #208
November 30, 2023
Slippery the Sea Lion – Podcast #207
November 14, 2023
Retrocast #21 – Podcast #206
October 23, 2023
The Naked Mustard Ladies – Podcast #205
October 9, 2023
Retrocast #20 – Podcast #204
September 20, 2023
Boxed for a Better Life – Podcast #203
September 11, 2023
Retrocast #19 – Podcast #202
August 15, 2023
Back Into the Woods – Podcast #201
August 2, 2023
Mississippi Bans Sesame Street – Podcast #200
July 17, 2023
Bonus Episode: I Am a Guest on the Off Exit 10 Podcast
July 5, 2023

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