Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

How To Fill A Giant Christmas Stocking?

Published on December 22, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

In 1965, radio station WDGY held a contest for the largest Christmas stocking. They were not prepared for what was submitted.

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1949: Ontario Boy Given Snake by Museum

Published on December 21, 2021

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

A couple from Ontario drove 125 miles so that their son could purchase a snake, only to find out that the museum had none for sale. Would his heart be broken for Christmas?

Click to Read More...

Reindeer Nips Boy’s Finger

Published on December 20, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

In 1954, 2-year-old Richard Ferris decided to let a reindeer take a lick from his lollipop. That was a mistake...

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1948: Early Greeting Might Be Said in Bad Taste

Published on December 19, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Imagine arriving home to find your bathtub filled with gelatin. That happened to Mr. & Mrs. Jack Halstead.

Click to Read More...

A Very Unusual Christmas Tree

Published on December 17, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Back in 1900, students in the University of Pennsylvania’s biology department presented their professors with an unusually decorated Christmas tree.

Click to Read More...

Retrocast #6 – Podcast #162

Published on December 15, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast, Retrocasts

A reindeer that bit a boy’s finger, a lawsuit over the world’s largest Christmas stocking, an absent-minded Santa Claus, a Santa caught with his pants down, the first Christmas film ever made, and much more!

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1937: Santa Claus Has Trouble Getting Down This Chimney

Published on December 14, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

It was every child's fear: Santa Claus got stuck in a San Antonio, TX chimney. Would he be able to deliver his gifts?

Click to Read More...

Tom McGee’s Back on the Chain Gang – Podcast #161

Published on November 30, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast

Tom McGee wanted nothing more for Christmas than to be able to spend time caring for his hogs. The only catch was that he needed to commit a crime and hope that a judge would sentence him to time on one of Georgia’s infamous chain gangs.

Click to Read More...

Kids Keep Santa From Getting a Ticket

Published on December 28, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Just what happens when Santa Claus is pulled over for speeding? This story from 1965 just may have the answer.

Click to Read More...

Santa Stuck in Chimney

Published on December 27, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Everyone knows that Santa comes down the chimney to deliver his gifts. Sometimes he gets stuck...

Click to Read More...

Gift of 4-Tons of Fertilizer

Published on December 24, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Back in 1945, Norval H. Milliken received a very unusual Christmas gift: 4-tons of manure. It took some detective work to figure out who sent it.

Click to Read More...

A Grateful Mother – Podcast #143

Published on December 21, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Money & Financial, Podcast

The heartwarming true story from the 1950s of a secret Santa and the generous Christmas gifts that he gave to Helen Arnold's family in Akron, Ohio.

Click to Read More...

17-Year Christmas Card Mystery

Published on January 11, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Year after year, Mr. and Mrs. Leo M. Dooley of Akron, Ohio would receive a Christmas card but had no clue who was sending it. The mystery was finally solved...

Click to Read More...

Parachute Drops Christmas Gifts

Published on January 4, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

For Christmas 1944, Pfc. Wesley De Quinn was overseas fighting in the war. His gifts to his family were delivered in the most unusual way.

Click to Read More...

Sacramental Wine for Jewish Families to Be Doubled

Published on December 27, 2019

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

The question arose in 1932, during Prohibition, whether or not the quota of sacramental wine for Jewish families should be increased.

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
The Kid Is Not My Son – Podcast #198
June 7, 2023
Dubious Advice – Podcast #197
May 18, 2023
Frasier, the Sensuous Lion – Podcast #196
May 3, 2023

╳