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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Idea Wasn’t a Bust

Published on August 24, 2019

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

It was reported on August 13, 1949 that engineer turned fashion designer Charles Langs was having a problem meeting demand for his new product that he named “The Posies.”

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Suits Made from Paper

Published on August 17, 2019

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

In 1920, Great Britain was importing men's suits that were made of paper.

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First Tire to Cross the Pacific?

Published on June 27, 2019

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

Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon were the first aviators to fly non-stop across the Pacific. Their Firestone tire was found a short distance away.

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An Incredible Life of Learning

Published on March 27, 2019

Posted in: Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

The wonderful story of a man who started his career as a soda jerk in a pharmacy and ultimately made his way to be appointed as the Interim Dean at the Albany College of Pharmacy.

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That’s My Parking Spot!

Published on October 5, 2018

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A story from 1961 about how hard it can be to find a parking spot for your car in Kansas City.

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Kept Alive by Pumping Arms

Published on August 21, 2018

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

In 1927, 18-year old Walter L. Boothe was kept alive for sixteen days by his friends who constantly pumped his arms up and down.

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Self-Service Gasoline

Published on July 26, 2018

Posted in: Money & Financial, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Opposition to self-service gasoline stations was very high in the 1940s and '50s. Today, only New Jersey has a total ban on them.

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Rubber Hose Cures Hiccups

Published on June 28, 2018

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A team of doctors determined that hiccups could be cured by sticking a flexible rubber tube up a patient's nose and stimulating the nerve endings of the pharynx.

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More Intelligent People Have Gout

Published on June 20, 2018

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

On June 30, 1959, a UPI article discussed how two US government scientists, Dewitt Stetten, Jr. and John Z. Hearon, were studying the relationship between gout and intelligence.

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Cow Jumps Over the Moon

Published on June 16, 2018

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

Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly on February 18, 1930 when a tri-motored Ford airplane flew her to a height of 5,000 feet.

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Moons of Mars Made by Martians

Published on June 12, 2018

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

On May 1, 1959, it was reported that Soviet scientist Iosif Shklovsky had found evidence that the two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, may be artificial.

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A Journey to the Center of the Earth – Podcast #112

Published on June 2, 2018

Posted in: Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

John Cleves Symmes asked Congress to fund a voyage to the North Pole so that his crew could sail into the Earth's interior. You may be surprised to find out how many of our elected officials approved the voyage...

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Glue Sniffing Fad

Published on February 12, 2018

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

On July 5, 1962, Arizona state authorities tried to calm the public by telling them that the latest craze of glue sniffing was just a fad.

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Exercise Fad is Dangerous

Published on February 5, 2018

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

On October 27, 1939, the AMA’s health magazine Hygeia printed an article written by Dr. Henry A. Christian warning that excessive exercise was dangerous to one’s health.

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Safety Buttons Proven Unsafe

Published on January 21, 2018

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

In 1974 the Consumer Product Safety Commission had to recall 80,000 of their own "Think Toy Safety" buttons because they were unsafe.

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