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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

1949: Nose Knows A Good Thing (Footnote)

Published on May 10, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

John D. Bidegain lost his nose and was challenged by a manager to make a new one. And that was exactly what he did.

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1922: Bluff Called, May Have to Devour a Million Peas (Footnote)

Published on April 23, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Tidbits

A bet was made and the loser would have to eat 1,000,000 peas. Just how much space does a million peas take up?

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Hand Shaking for Civic Pride (1936)

Published on April 7, 2023

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

As sirens blast in unison around the world, everyone turns to the person near them and shakes hands. Would this result in world peace? Roscoe E. Dickson certainly thought so.

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1943: Males in Skirts Protest Against Slacks (Footnote)

Published on April 5, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

Just what happens when a group of young make college students decide to wear skirts?

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1904: The Match Head Man: A Strange Tale of Addiction

Published on February 21, 2023

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

A woman complains that her husband has been eating match heads since their honeymoon and wants to know what can be done about it.

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1934: Wife Snores in Morse Code

Published on February 2, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Lloyd Copley claimed that his wife Leila snored in Morse code as an attempt to signal a lover outside of their home.

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Marty, the Marijuana Mouse – Podcast #190

Published on February 2, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Crime & Punishment, Humor, Podcast

The crazy true story of Marty, a mouse who was stealing marijuana and other drugs from the evidence room of the San Jose police department in 1974.

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1938 – Fishing Trip Accidents Send Family to Hospital (Footnote)

Published on January 21, 2023

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Science, Technology & Medicine

The Mowrar family should have never gone fishing. All went home with significant injuries to their right hands or arms.

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1960 – Christmas Cards Arrive 20 Years Late (Footnote)

Published on December 23, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations

Things do get lost in the mail, but the US Postal Service was unable to explain why these Christmas cards were delivered 20 years late.

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1920 – Christmas Cactus Theft Epidemic (Footnote)

Published on December 18, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Was there really a Christmas cactus theft epidemic hitting Santa Ana, California back in 1920?

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The Cryptanalyst (Part 3) – Podcast #184

Published on November 18, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Podcast

In this final installment, Marvin Lautzenhesier discusses leaving the FBI, his patents, and the giant theater organ that he installed in his house.

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1961 – A Stewed Duck Is Too Saucy to Suit Cops (Footnote)

Published on August 29, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Humor

Two policemen set out to capture a drunk duck. It wasn't as easy as they had hoped...

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1964 – Unable to Find Affordable Housing, Student Sleeps in Air Vent

Published on August 19, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Schools & Education, Tidbits

Allan Kornfeld was unable to afford student housing at Yale. So, he decided to move into a ventilation shaft.

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1926 – Fire Company Called To Put Out a Sunset (Footnote)

Published on August 17, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Escape and Survival, Footnotes to History

Firemen in Tulsa, Oklahoma were called out on an emergency call. The supposed fire was really the sunset.

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1954 – Smog Turns Necktie a Bluish Purple

Published on August 11, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

James Sharpless decided to wear a bright colored tie to his classes, only to find that the California smog had caused it to turn color.

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