Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Unfit to Teach – Podcast #91

Published on February 28, 2016

Posted in: Law & Order, Podcast, Schools & Education, Unbelievable

Rose Freistater was denied a teaching license because she was overweight. Find out what happened when she challenged the ruling.

Click to Read More...

3-Year-Old Reckless Tricycle Driver

Published on December 14, 2015

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

Back in 1961, three-year-old Eddie Jones was sued for $50,000 for driving his tricycle recklessly. Did he win the case?

Click to Read More...

Poison Ivy Lawsuit

Published on November 25, 2015

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

In 1948, a passenger on a bus fainted. The driver pulled to the side of the road and let the woman rest in the grass. She then sued for getting poison ivy.

Click to Read More...

He Wants His Alimony Back

Published on November 10, 2015

Posted in: Law & Order, Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Tidbits

Howard Metz paid alimony for thirty years to a woman who would not divorce him. When she died, he claimed title to her estate. Did he get it?

Click to Read More...

The Rescue of Charles Nalle – Podcast #87

Published on October 25, 2015

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Escape and Survival, Law & Order, Podcast

Charles Nalle is believed to have been the only person in United States history to have been rescued from slavery four times.

Click to Read More...

Twins Switch Places

Published on August 5, 2015

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

On Sunday, April 1, 1951, officer Carl Hamm pulled over a car in Milwaukee. The man identified himself as Elmer Urban, but he was clearly lying...

Click to Read More...

The Tieless Teacher

Published on August 20, 2014

Posted in: Law & Order, Schools & Education, Tidbits

East Hartford, Connecticut English teacher Richard P. Brimley fought for years with his school district because he refused to wear a tie.

Click to Read More...

Arrest the Parents – Podcast #74

Published on July 14, 2014

Posted in: Law & Order, Podcast

Should parents be held responsible for the crimes that their children commit? Check out this story from 1947 detailing just what happened when New York City tried to do just that.

Click to Read More...

Dog Causes Minibike Accident

Published on March 18, 2014

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

In 1978, New Canaan, CT resident Charles Bach was awarded $100,000 for injuries sustained after a dog startled him while riding a motorbike.

Click to Read More...

Jackie Robinson Lawsuit

Published on March 11, 2014

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

In 1954, Jackie Robinson was ejected from a game and tossed his bat. It hit three people and caused injuries.

Click to Read More...

Women Forbidden to Marry

Published on March 4, 2014

Posted in: Law & Order, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

When the mother of Bertha, Caroline, Louisa, and Sarah Yaissle died in 1916, her will specified that if any daughter married, they would forfeit their share of the estate.

Click to Read More...

The Sikorsky Sweater Girls – Podcast #57

Published on October 7, 2012

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Law & Order, Miscellaneous, Podcast

In 1943, 53 women were fired by Vought-Sikorsky for wearing sweaters to work. Check out this story to find out how it was ultimately resolved.

Click to Read More...

Girl Sues Boy

Published on July 10, 2012

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

10-year-old Florence Miller was awarded damages in her lawsuit against 14-year-old Oscar Lenhart. Oscar claimed in court that Florence had tattled on him.

Click to Read More...

The Case of the Misplaced Belly Button – Podcast #54

Published on May 27, 2012

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Law & Order, Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

Virginia O'Hare underwent tummy tuck surgery and then sued her doctor for $1.5 million dollars. Why? Because her belly button was supposedly 2" off-center.

Click to Read More...

Jack the Stripper – Podcast #52

Published on March 21, 2012

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

An odd true story about a San Diego robber dubbed "Jack the Stripper" by the press in the early 1960s. Click to learn about his unusual modus operandi.

Click to Read More...

Language

Follow the Podcast

Over 6 Million Downloads!

Recent Podcast Episodes

Retrocast #22 – Podcast #208
November 30, 2023
Slippery the Sea Lion – Podcast #207
November 14, 2023
Retrocast #21 – Podcast #206
October 23, 2023
The Naked Mustard Ladies – Podcast #205
October 9, 2023
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

╳