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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Footnote – 1949: Just Tell It Like It Is

Published on September 7, 2021

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

A company in London decided to do away with desk trays labeled Incoming and Outgoing. Instead, they came up with trays with more realistic labels.

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Footnote – 1913: Leg Broken 3 Times in 3 Minutes

Published on August 24, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! In 1913, Daniel Sullivan's leg was broken three times in three minutes.

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England’s Oldest Woman Seeks New Husband

Published on July 15, 2021

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

In 1924, 106-year-old Betsy Pennick of Tiptree, England was in search of a new husband. She was in her late teens when Victoria became Queen.

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Footnote – 1933: Surgeons Take Table Fork from Girl’s Stomach

Published on July 14, 2021

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

It seems nearly impossible but a girl in 1933 swallowed a full-size table fork. Surgery would be needed...

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Footnote – 1928: Ford Car Mysteriously Receives Telegraph Signals

Published on July 10, 2021

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

In 1928, a Ford car was reported to have received telegraph signals. The engine of the car was off.

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Penned Will on Ladder

Published on June 12, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Law & Order, Money & Financial, Tidbits

Hermann Strathmann, of Los Angeles, wrote his will on a step-ladder shortly before he passed away. Eight other wills were found. Which would be the accepted one?

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Wrote Will on Petticoat

Published on June 5, 2021

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

In 1925, George W. Hazeltine was near death and wrote his will on the petticoat of one of his nurses. Would it hold up in court?

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The Tapioca Time Bomb

Published on April 17, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

It was reported on September 14, 1972 that firemen in Cardiff, Wales had spent several days putting out a fire on the 12,000-ton Swiss vessel Cassarate. Timbers stacked in the upper holds of the ship had caught fire 25 days earlier while at sea and the crew was able

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Birth Control Leases Barred

Published on April 10, 2021

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

On April 20, 1946, New York State Governor Thomas E. Dewey signed into law a measure that forbid “birth control” leases.

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Ad – 1952: Cessna 170

Published on March 3, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Transportation

Cessna 170 ad from the February 1952 issue of Flying Magazine.

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The Most Beautiful Ape in the World Contest

Published on December 17, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

A contest was held in 1972 to find the most Beautiful Ape in the World. Just who who win?

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World Posture Queen Pageant

Published on December 13, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

For fifteen years, the American Chiropractic Society held the World Posture Queen Contest. Each contestant had an x-ray taken of their spine.

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Rita Hayworth Beautiful Legs Contest

Published on December 9, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

As a tie-in to Rita Hayworth's movie "Affair in Trinidad," contests were held across the nation for the woman with the most beautiful legs.

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Submarine Rodeo

Published on November 25, 2020

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

Starting in 1959, the Pleasant Lake Lyons Club held their annual Submarine Rodeo scuba contest. It was one of the most unusual contests of all time.

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Airplane Golf Match

Published on November 6, 2020

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

On June 25, 1923, a round of airplane golf was held at the Olympia Field Country Club in Chicago, Illinois. Could the amateur team beat the professionals?

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