Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

The Kid Is Not My Son – Podcast #198

Published on June 7, 2023

Posted in: Hoaxes, Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

A young boy could inherit millions until his father suspects he isn’t the dad. A true story that involves deceit, attempted blackmail, international law, forged papers, a deceased lawyer, and more!

Click to Read More...

A Little Boy’s Revenge (1953)

Published on April 21, 2023

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Hoaxes, Law & Order, Tidbits

Three boys at PS 90 in Manhattan were witness to the murder of one of their classmates. Police were called and began a search for the body...

Click to Read More...

The Rise & Fall of the Celestial Comet – Podcast #176

Published on July 19, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Podcast, Sports

In 1941, the Plainfield Teachers College football team was unstoppable. That was until a reporter exposed a shocking secret about the team and their storybook season was brought to a grinding halt.

Click to Read More...

1930: Live Baby Auctioned Off

Published on March 1, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Tidbits

Could a baby really be auctioned off? An ad by the Red Arrow Auctions claimed that they would be doing so at their next auction. Was there a catch?

Click to Read More...

Two Worlds Collide – Podcast #153

Published on July 29, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Hoaxes, Love & Marriage, Podcast, Schools & Education

In 1932, the office of Redondo Beach school superintendent Elliott B. Thomas was destroyed and he had mysteriously disappeared. Was he dead or alive? Or was something else going on?

Click to Read More...

Giraffes Can’t Speak

Published on March 24, 2021

Posted in: Hoaxes, Humor, Tidbits

What did the giraffe say when the elephant stepped on his toe? To find out the answer, kids had to dial long-distance to find out the answer.

Click to Read More...

One-Week with the Beatles?

Published on March 16, 2020

Posted in: Hoaxes, Tidbits

When Cheryl Bedrock received a call from Brian Epstein, the famed manager for the Beatles, she was told that she had won a free trip to London to meet the group. It didn't go as planned...

Click to Read More...

Don’t Drink Sunlight Dish Detergent

Published on February 19, 2018

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Tidbits

On July 15, 1982 the Maryland Poison Control Center in Baltimore reported that 33 adults and 46 children had consumed a brand new lemon-scented dishwashing liquid named Sunlight.

Click to Read More...

The Salem Trade School – Podcast #90

Published on January 27, 2016

Posted in: Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast, Schools & Education, Sports

The Salem Trade School had the worst high school football team in the Boston region back in the 1920's. But they had a big secret...

Click to Read More...

The Last Man on Earth – Podcast #88

Published on December 2, 2015

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Hoaxes, Podcast

In 1960, Bud Boyd set out to find out what it would be like to be the last man on Earth. Without basic supplies, he set out to survive six weeks in the wild.

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

Summer Job Hoax

Published on April 15, 2014

Posted in: Hoaxes, Schools & Education, Tidbits

In 1932, more than fifty Bronx teachers received a telegram telling them that they had a summer job, Did they really?

Click to Read More...

The Short Life of Suzy Dewey – Podcast #65

Published on August 19, 2013

Posted in: Death and Murder, Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast

The story of a little girl named Suzy Dewey who was diagnosed with terminal leukemia and was the victim of a hoax during the last few months of her life.

Click to Read More...

Will the Real Dr. Brown Please Stand Up? – Podcast #55

Published on July 10, 2012

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

Dr. Brown was loved by everyone in Groveton, Texas. When he was arrested for a crime that could have endangered others, they didn't abandon their faith in him.

Click to Read More...

The Kidnapping of Caleb Milne IV – Podcast #24

Published on August 6, 2009

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast

A long-forgotten story about the sensational kidnapping of Caleb Milne IV back in 1935. Not all was as it seemed.

Click to Read More...

Language

Follow the Podcast

Over 6 Million Downloads!

Recent Podcast Episodes

Retrocast #20 – Podcast #204
September 20, 2023
Boxed for a Better Life – Podcast #203
September 11, 2023
Retrocast #19 – Podcast #202
August 15, 2023
Back Into the Woods – Podcast #201
August 2, 2023
Mississippi Bans Sesame Street – Podcast #200
July 17, 2023
Bonus Episode: I Am a Guest on the Off Exit 10 Podcast
July 5, 2023
Retrocast #18 – Podcast #199
June 21, 2023
Dubious Advice – Podcast #197
May 18, 2023
Frasier, the Sensuous Lion – Podcast #196
May 3, 2023
Retrocast #17 – Podcast #195
April 19, 2023

╳