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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the WWW Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Retrocast #44 – Podcast #262

Published on September 1, 2026

Posted in: Podcast, Tidbits

Latest episode! Kids suck subway tokens from turnstiles, two men claim to save a girl’s life, a woman marries a pet rock, a meatloaf made from dog food, & much more!

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Braless Fridays – Podcast #261

Published on August 4, 2026

Posted in: Law & Order, Podcast

In 1969, a casual coffee-break joke about going braless cost a woman her job, sparked nationwide headlines, inspired copycat events across the country, and eventually wound up in court. That's exactly what happened to Jane Andre—all because of an undergarment.

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You Can Call Me Al, Just Al (1966)

Published on July 21, 2026

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Tidbits

Al Capone, Jr. didn't like living in the shadow of his notorious father. He preferred to lead a clean life, so he took action to fix the problem.

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The 2½-Mile Miracle (1960)

Published on July 17, 2026

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Tidbits

9-year-old Virgil Swartwood slipped and fell into an Erie, PA sewer tunnel. The current carried him 2-1/2 miles underground before he was discharged into Lake Erie.

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Too Many Smiths (1957)

Published on July 14, 2026

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

James Wilbur Smith applied to have his driver's license renewed, but the State of Ohio refused to do so because of a car accident. The problem was that he hadn't been in one.

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Retrocast #43 – Podcast #260

Published on July 9, 2026

Posted in: Podcast, Retrocasts

Al Capone’s son tries to avoid his notorious father’s past, a boy survives a 2-1/2 mile-long plunge in a tunnel, nudists fail to pay their laundry bill, and much more!

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The Battle of the Bangs – Podcast #259

Published on June 24, 2026

Posted in: Law & Order, Podcast, Schools & Education

In 1967, a 14-year-old boy was suspended from school for refusing to cut his long hair. Then a judge sending him to a juvenile detention home for psychiatric evaluation.

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Mothers Nurse the Wrong Babies (1954)

Published on June 16, 2026

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Two mothers gave birth to sons on the same date in the same hospital. Could their babies have been accidentally switched at birth? They wouldn't have conclusive proof until they had nursed their babies for five weeks.

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Burial Crypt Ready for the Future (1940)

Published on June 12, 2026

Posted in: Death and Murder, Tidbits

Bob Wright was one of those people who planned for his death. His crypt was no exception. He outfitted it with all of the comforts of home.

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House Cut in Half (1933)

Published on June 9, 2026

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

Two sisters were unable to agree on the repair of a house that suffered fire damage. As a result, one sister arranged for the house to be cut in half and moved.

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Retrocast #42 – Podcast #258

Published on June 4, 2026

Posted in: Podcast, Retrocasts

A house is cut in half after two sisters argue over its repair, two babies are switched at birth, an airplane lands at the wrong airport, and much more!

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Leaping Leopards – Podcast #257

Published on May 13, 2026

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Podcast

A wild leopard fresh from the jungles of India escaped the Oklahoma City Zoo in 1950, unleashing a frantic manhunt that turned the city into a spectacle of fear, fascination, and chaos. The cat seemed to vanish and reappear like a phantom, leaving searchers scrambling to keep up.

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Nat King Cole Attacked (1956)

Published on May 1, 2026

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Tidbits

Pianist and singer Nat King Cole was performing on stage in Birmingham, Alabama when a group of men stormed the stage and attacked him simply because of the color of his skin.

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Hero Gets Day Off from School (1909)

Published on April 27, 2026

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Tidbits

Mylon Roche wasn't sent home early from school because he had done something wrong. Instead, he was given the remainder of the day off because of his heroism.

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The Linotype Machine Revolutionizes Printing (1886)

Published on April 24, 2026

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

The invention of the Linotype machine was brought about a surge in printed material, including newspapers, books, and magazines. It also introduced a new term to the printed page: ETAOIN SHRDLU.

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Recent Podcast Episodes

Braless Fridays – Podcast #261
August 4, 2026
Retrocast #43 – Podcast #260
July 9, 2026
The Battle of the Bangs – Podcast #259
June 24, 2026
Retrocast #42 – Podcast #258
June 4, 2026
Leaping Leopards – Podcast #257
May 13, 2026
Retrocast #41 – Podcast #256
April 20, 2026
Aren’t We Devils? – Podcast #255
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Retrocast #40 – Podcast #254
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Lost in the Clouds – Podcast #253
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Retrocast #39 – Podcast #252
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