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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

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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The Zambian Space Program – Podcast #137

Published on July 28, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Forgotten History, Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

In 1964, the newly established country of Zambia announced that it planned to be the first nation to place a man on the moon. An excellent story about a forgotten chapter in space exploration history.

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Fails to Win Back Wife After Two Suicide Attempts

Published on July 26, 2020

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

n 1956, Stanley G. Peralta attempted run himself over with his moving car twice in the same night. Would this win back the love of his wife Luella?

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Kissing Barred on Bavarian Trains

Published on July 10, 2020

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

A couple was observed being a bit too intimate on a Bavarian train back in 1912. After passengers complained, the railroad banned kissing on their trains.

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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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