Bizarre & Oddities Archives - Page 3 of 10 - Useless Information

Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Two Homes Built on Wrong Lots

Published on June 6, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

Back in 1957, two homes were built on the wrong lots in Palatine, Illinois. The builder did all that he could to try and make amends with the couple who owned the land, but nothing seemed to work. How could this be resolved?

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A Lady’s Age Is Her Own Business

Published on May 30, 2020

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

In 1954, Muriel Nicholson was facing a $500 fine and up to one-year in jail for lying about her age on car registrations filed with the state of New York. Could a lady really go to jail for lying about her age?

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Mummies Found in Attic

Published on May 23, 2020

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

In 1906, workmen in New York City discovered two boxes with mummified humans inside.

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Emperor of the Sahara – Podcast #134

Published on May 16, 2020

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

The crazy, true story of Jacques Lebaudy's attempt to build an empire of his own in the Sahara.

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Send-A-Dame Chain Letter

Published on April 21, 2020

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

Could anyone handle having 26,000 dates in one year? That is what was predicted if all those involved in this unusual dating method didn't break the chain.

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A Nose for Fishing – Podcast #133

Published on March 31, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Forgotten History, Podcast

Harry C. Morse accomplished quite a bit during his lifetime: theater owner, steamboat captain, and was the first in his town to own a bicycle. Yet he would be best remembered for the unusual way that he caught a fish in 1873.

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Life-Size Statue Found on Subway Platform

Published on February 15, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

Subway riders typically leave things like umbrellas, handbags, and coats behind. In 1963, a life-size statue of St. Anthony was found on a subway platform.

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Elephant Falls from Elevated Trolley

Published on February 8, 2020

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

An incident that took place in Germany back in 1950 confirmed why one should never take an elephant for a ride in an elevated monorail.

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Suicide Prevented by Cork Leg

Published on February 1, 2020

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

In 1924, Russell B. Hayward attempted suicide by jumping into the Hudson River. He forgot to remove his artificial cork leg.

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Was the Heaviest Man Buried in a Piano Shipping Box?

Published on December 19, 2019

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

When Robert Earl Hughes died on July 10, 1958, did they really bury him in a piano shipping box?

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Will Written on Egg Shell

Published on December 8, 2019

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

John Barnes wrote his will on an eggshell. When he died in 1926, the validity of the will was challenged. Would the court accept it?

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Tells Amazing Tale of Mars

Published on December 1, 2019

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

On August 13, 1906, Sackville G. Leyson told of how his spirit was able to travel to Mars and back in 40 minutes while his body lay still.

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Jailed for Writing Fiction

Published on October 30, 2019

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

On March 18, 1943, 45-year-old author George G. Gorman was sentenced to prison time for writing a fictitious story that he claimed was true.

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In the Water Too Long…

Published on September 28, 2019

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

Polar Bear Clubs exist worldwide where people take a swim in cold, frigid winter water. It didn't quite go as planned at the Atlantic City contest in 1957.

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Spike Heels Banned in Mobile, Alabama

Published on August 31, 2019

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

Women in Mobile, Alabama were required to obtain a high-heel permit if they wished to wear spiked heels.

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