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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the WWW Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Mothers Nurse the Wrong Babies (1954)

Published on June 16, 2026

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Two mothers gave birth to sons on the same date in the same hospital. Could their babies have been accidentally switched at birth? They wouldn't have conclusive proof until they had nursed their babies for five weeks.

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The Linotype Machine Revolutionizes Printing (1886)

Published on April 24, 2026

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

The invention of the Linotype machine was brought about a surge in printed material, including newspapers, books, and magazines. It also introduced a new term to the printed page: ETAOIN SHRDLU.

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Wand Locates Needle Inside Woman (1954)

Published on January 23, 2026

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Doctors were unable to remove a needle from a woman's body, so they tried using a new device known as the Berman Metal Locator. Would it work?

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The Girl With a Nail in Her Lung (1946)

Published on January 20, 2026

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

16-year-old Shirley Jackson face almost certain death unless a nail lodged in her lung was removed. The problem was that no Australian hospital was equipped to do so.

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The Human Ostrich (1910)

Published on January 16, 2026

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

When doctors performed an autopsy on Sally Roper in 1910, they uncovered a jaw-dropping trove of 1,446 bizarre objects inside her stomach—including nails, screws, and even a car nameplate.

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A Playful Feud with the Cable Company (1977)

Published on July 22, 2025

Posted in: Humor, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A man in Vacaville, California preferred to pay his monthly cable bills quarterly. He didn't like the constant reminders that the company kept sending him for his unpaid bills, which started a friendly feud with them.

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Do Men or Women Get the Last Laugh? (1977)

Published on July 17, 2025

Posted in: Humor, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A 1977 University of Wisconsin study took a look at whether jokes that made fun of men or women were funnier.

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The Great Rattlesnake Trap (1927)

Published on July 15, 2025

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A Bowman, California rancher thought that he had invented the ultimate rattlesnake trap. That was until the snakes outsmarted him...

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Beware of Blue Eyes (1921)

Published on May 23, 2025

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

In 1921, a strange fear of blue-eyed people was spreading. Experts linked blue eyes to restlessness and trouble. In England, it was observed that 90% of runaway husbands had blue eyes, while it was thought that blue-eyed people needed to move toward higher latitudes.

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Shoes Designed to Protect Postmen from Dogs (1956)

Published on April 28, 2025

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

The National Association of Chiropodists set their sights on designing a new type of footwear for letter carriers, one that would minimize the damage from dog bites.

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Dental Revenge (1952)

Published on September 20, 2024

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

An Oklahoma dentist came with an unusual idea to raise money for charity: the highest bidder would be allowed to pull his tooth out. Ouch!

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Lost and Found: Amnesia Victim Regains Memory (1946)

Published on May 21, 2024

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A man walks into a Boston police station claiming that he couldn't remember what he had been doing for the past 5 years. Find out who he really was.

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The Lightning Tamers – Podcast #214

Published on February 21, 2024

Posted in: Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

Our modern world is dependent on electricity. But did you ever stop to wonder where it all began? Kathy Joseph joins me to talk about some of these amazing stories.

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Phonographs Used to Train Birds to Talk (1903)

Published on December 17, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Mrs. Jacob Hope set up a school to teach parrots how to talk. She found that using phonographs greatly speeded up the process.

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Boy Takes a Ride on Kites (1927)

Published on August 17, 2023

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

12-year-old Samuel F. Perkins, Jr. took to the skies over Providence, RI. He was pulled by kites designed by his father.

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