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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

The Great Venus Swindle – Podcast #79

Published on January 21, 2015

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Crime & Punishment, Fraud & Deception, Podcast, Unbelievable

In 1953, Harold Jesse Berney was chosen by the US government to be its main contact with Uccelles, a prince visiting our planet from Venus. A crazy, true story!

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Saved by His Buckle

Published on January 15, 2015

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Escape and Survival, Tidbits

Alfred De Chico was shot three times by Salvatore Carricato, but there was no blood. He was saved by the buckle of his suspenders.

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The Woman with the X-Ray Camera – Podcast #77

Published on November 29, 2014

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Love & Marriage, Podcast

A New York City woman named Pearl Lusk was hired in 1946 to investigate a woman suspected in a jewel heist. What happened next is truly unforgettable.

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A Life Forgotten – Podcast #76

Published on October 23, 2014

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Forgotten History, Podcast

What would you do if you had forgotten your entire past? One man suffered such a fate and spent many years trying to figure out who he was.

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Sixth Set of Twins

Published on August 12, 2014

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

Both Mrs. Ernest Kittelberger of Rochester, NY and Barbara Zulu of Barberton, South Africa gave birth to six sets of twins.

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Can’t Cook Applesauce

Published on August 5, 2014

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

In 1940, Joseph Cronan of Candia, NH, advertised for a new wife. The most important criterion was that she be able to cook applesauce.

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Sun Lamp Fad

Published on July 15, 2014

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Fashion & Design, Tidbits

In 1927, “Sunbath tea parties” were the latest fad sweeping London. Guests would sit under ultraviolet lamps and drink tea.

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The Canary Funeral – Podcast #73

Published on May 24, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Podcast

Back in 1920, Newark, NJ was host to one of the most bizarre funerals ever. An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets to witness the funeral procession of Jimmie the singing canary.

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Snake Milks Cow

Published on May 8, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

In 1936, Arthur Gwinner of Jerseyville, Illinois noticed that one of his cows wasn't producing milk. A snake had been causing the problem.

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The Fever Girl – Podcast #72

Published on April 18, 2014

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast

In 1923, newspapers around the US reported on the health of the Fever Girl - Evelyn Lyons - a woman with the highest temperature ever recorded to that date.

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Fish Foretell Earthquakes

Published on February 18, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Can fish and other aquatic animals help predict earthquakes? Dr. Shinkiski Hatai provided evidence on their strange behavior during a talk in 1933.

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The Blaze Incident – Podcast #68

Published on December 1, 2013

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Podcast, Unbelievable

A long-forgotten front-page story from January 1945 that involved the US military, the White House, a Hollywood actress, and one big dog named Blaze.

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The Baby is in the Mail – Podcast #66

Published on September 22, 2013

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Money & Financial, Podcast

When the USPS started Parcel Post service in 1913, both babies and small children were mailed. Find out why it was done and why it finally ended.

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Attack of the 50-Foot Garden Hose – Podcast #63

Published on June 8, 2013

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Humor, Podcast, Unbelievable

Some mysterious force was bringing garden hoses all over the US to life in 1955. Find out what they did and how George Di Peso put an end to the madness.

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The Sky is Falling – Podcast #59

Published on January 8, 2013

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Podcast

Alvin Rodecker and his wife chose to celebrate his 60th birthday in style. It was to be an incredible trip to NYC. If only he had looked up after upon...

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