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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

1906: Dress Made of Postage Stamps (Footnote)

Published on June 28, 2023

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Footnotes to History, Tidbits

Over 30,000 stamps were used to make a woman's dress in Bermuda in 1906. Sounds like one big sticky mess...

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Aluminum Foil Swimwear

Published on May 26, 2016

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

If you’ve ever wished for disposable swimwear, designer Morton Almondt offered up the perfect solution in April of 1967: A bikini made from aluminum foil.

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Stars ’n Stripes Girdle

Published on May 22, 2016

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Tidbits

In 1965, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) requested that a company remove its America flag designs from its girdles.

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The Blue Man

Published on May 18, 2016

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

Albert Cole of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was reported to be in critical condition on March 24, 1927. His illness? His entire body had turned blue.

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Death by Lipstick

Published on November 1, 2015

Posted in: Death and Murder, Fashion & Design, Tidbits

In 1930, Othelia Winger of Wisconsin died after applying lipstick to her lips from a promotional package of matchbook lipstick.

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Sweater Found

Published on November 19, 2014

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Tidbits

Marguerite Todd Beveridge knitted a sweater in 1918 for World War I. It was later found in 1954 by Tanas Badra of Amman, Jordan.

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Lost Coat Found

Published on November 4, 2014

Posted in: Entertainment, Fashion & Design, Tidbits

Imagine the surprise of Alexis Davidoff when a coat he donated in 1920 in Russia showed up on a Hollywood movie set that he was working on.

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Tattooed Pantyhose

Published on July 25, 2014

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Tidbits

In 1946, Gotham Hosiery introduced sheer nylon pantyhose with fake tattoos printed on them, allowing women to get tattoos without the ink.

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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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Ring Turning Fad

Published on July 1, 2014

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

In 1893, a ring-turning fad was sweeping the nation. If a woman followed the steps exactly, she would meet her future husband.

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The Sikorsky Sweater Girls – Podcast #57

Published on October 7, 2012

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Law & Order, Miscellaneous, Podcast

In 1943, 53 women were fired by Vought-Sikorsky for wearing sweaters to work. Check out this story to find out how it was ultimately resolved.

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Apple Annie – Podcast #56

Published on August 21, 2012

Posted in: Entertainment, Fashion & Design, Money & Financial, Podcast

The long forgotten story about a poor woman named Helen McCarthy, also known as Apple Annie, who was able to live a fairytale life for 24 hours.

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