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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

A Blind Eye – Helen Vasco – Podcast #151

Published on June 28, 2021

Posted in: Forgotten History, Law & Order, Love & Marriage, Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

In 1933, Helen Vasko was diagnosed with a malignant eye tumor that threatened her life. Her parents would not consent to surgery and the case ended up in court. Find out which side won this landmark case.

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Penned Will on Ladder

Published on June 12, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Law & Order, Money & Financial, Tidbits

Hermann Strathmann, of Los Angeles, wrote his will on a step-ladder shortly before he passed away. Eight other wills were found. Which would be the accepted one?

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Birth Control Leases Barred

Published on April 10, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Law & Order, Tidbits

On April 20, 1946, New York State Governor Thomas E. Dewey signed into law a measure that forbid “birth control” leases.

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Theodore Roosevelt Declares War on the Banana Skin

Published on April 2, 2021

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

In 1896, Teddy Roosevelt declared war on the slippery banana peels that were all over the streets of New York City.

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A Punishment That Went Horribly Wrong – Linda Marie Ault – Podcast #119

Published on February 7, 2019

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Death and Murder, Law & Order, Podcast

The parents of Linda Marie Ault were in a panic when their daughter didn't return home after attending a dance. When she returned home the next morning, they came up with a punishment that would teach her a valuable lesson. Everything went horribly wrong.

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Dick the Dog – Podcast #111

Published on April 30, 2018

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Podcast

Jacob Silverman made national headlines in 1922 for the crime of owning a dog named Dick. Pennsylvania's Alien Dog Law forbid unnaturalized residents from owning dogs and required the dogs be killed.

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Le Mars Trilogy: Part 2 – Farmers in Revolt – Podcast #104

Published on July 7, 2017

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Podcast

The Great Depression was an awful time for farmers in Iowa, culminating with the near-hanging of Judge Bradley in Le Mars over a farm owned by T.M. Zink.

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Waiter Drugs Non-Tipper

Published on June 30, 2017

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

In 1964 waiter Herbert A. Talmud was accused of poisoning the food of customers at the Occidental Restaurant in Washington, DC.

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Permitted to Wear Van Dyke Beard

Published on June 26, 2017

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

On July 24, 1955, the NY State Labor Department ruled that a man couldn't be fired from his job as a swimming pool attendant for having a Van Dyke beard.

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Eleuterio the Parrot

Published on February 15, 2017

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Forgotten History, Law & Order, Tidbits

Eleuterio the parrot was a national celebrity in Brazil. He was famous for his vulgarities and was nominated for city council.

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Vote Cacareco

Published on February 1, 2017

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Law & Order, Tidbits

In October of 1959, it was reported that a female rhinoceros named Cacareco had won the San Paolo municipal council election in a landslide.

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Millionaire for a Day – Podcast #99

Published on November 28, 2016

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Forgotten History, Law & Order, Podcast

What should a political party do if they do not want the winner of the primary on the ballot? Butch McDevitt was such a man back in 1911.

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The Trick-or-Treat Dentist – Podcast #98

Published on October 19, 2016

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

Back in 1959 dentist William V. Shyne was charged with giving laxative pills to trick-or-treaters. Find out what happened next...

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Bars Glue in Ice Cream

Published on August 15, 2016

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

The Board of Health in NYC banned the use of glue in the manufacture of ice cream in 1920.

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Topless Cellist

Published on July 12, 2016

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

On May 9, 1967, NYC Judge Milton Shalleck handed down a ruling in the case of 28-year-old Charlotte Moorman who played her cello topless.

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