Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

The St. Louis Diphtheria Tragedy – Podcast #147

Published on March 26, 2021

Posted in: Death and Murder, Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

The diphtheria vaccine saved many lives until children in St. Louis started dying from it back in 1901. One could say that it was all the fault of a horse named Jim.

Click to Read More...

The Sleep-Walking Murderer – Podcast #144

Published on January 23, 2021

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

In 1930, Michael Filosa slashed his half-brother Salvatore De Hall to death while he was sleep-walking. Could he have really done such a thing?

Click to Read More...

Dead Man Helps Revive Wife

Published on October 7, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Tidbits

On October 30, 1931, Llewellyn Hall slumped over in a rocking chair inside of his Cleveland home. On his way to the morgue, he suddenly awoke.

Click to Read More...

Mummies Found in Attic

Published on May 23, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Tidbits

In 1906, workmen in New York City discovered two boxes with mummified humans inside.

Click to Read More...

Beet Salad Could Be an Influenza Cure

Published on May 18, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Could beet salad be the cure for the influenza that spread worldwide back in 1918. One Austrian doctor believed so.

Click to Read More...

Emperor of the Sahara – Podcast #134

Published on May 16, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Podcast, Unbelievable

The crazy, true story of Jacques Lebaudy's attempt to build an empire of his own in the Sahara.

Click to Read More...

Iodine and Creosote Influenza Cure

Published on May 4, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

In 1918, Dr. George F. Baer claimed to have an influenza cure that was made with creosote and iodine.

Click to Read More...

Woke Up Beside a Dead Man

Published on April 7, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Tidbits

On New Year's Eve of 1899, Henry Meyer came home to find his boss in his bed. The next morning, he awoke to find his boss had been shot dead.

Click to Read More...

In the Blink of an Eye – Podcast #132

Published on February 22, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Escape and Survival, Podcast

In 1925, the parents and sisters of 9-year-old Evelyn Castle were killed after their car collided with a train. What came next for Evelyn was totally unexpected. It's a story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

Click to Read More...

Elephant Falls from Elevated Trolley

Published on February 8, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Tidbits

An incident that took place in Germany back in 1950 confirmed why one should never take an elephant for a ride in an elevated monorail.

Click to Read More...

Was the Heaviest Man Buried in a Piano Shipping Box?

Published on December 19, 2019

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Tidbits

When Robert Earl Hughes died on July 10, 1958, did they really bury him in a piano shipping box?

Click to Read More...

Wrote Will on the Back of a Wall Calendar

Published on December 15, 2019

Posted in: Death and Murder, Tidbits

When Walter C. Wyland died on September 3, 1954 left nothing to his fiancée. That was until she found his will, which was written on the back of a calendar that she was about to discard.

Click to Read More...

Will Written on Egg Shell

Published on December 8, 2019

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Tidbits

John Barnes wrote his will on an eggshell. When he died in 1926, the validity of the will was challenged. Would the court accept it?

Click to Read More...

Soul Searching – Podcast #129

Published on November 22, 2019

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Podcast

Miner James Kidd made an incredibly unusual request in his will that would take more than 21 years for the courts to resolve.

Click to Read More...

Not Dead Yet…

Published on November 6, 2019

Posted in: Death and Murder, Fraud & Deception, Tidbits

Sometimes the person that died isn't who he really is. The dead person may still be alive...

Click to Read More...

Language

Follow the Podcast

Over 5.5 Million Downloads!

Recent Podcast Episodes

Dubious Advice – Podcast #197
May 18, 2023
Frasier, the Sensuous Lion – Podcast #196
May 3, 2023
Retrocast #17 – Podcast #195
April 19, 2023
The Love Pirate – Podcast #194
April 3, 2023
Retrocast 16 – Podcast #193
March 20, 2023
A Severed Relationship – Podcast #192
March 6, 2023
Retrocast #15 – Podcast #191
February 14, 2023
Marty, the Marijuana Mouse – Podcast #190
February 2, 2023
Retrocast #14 – Podcast #189
January 19, 2023
The Newburyport Anti-Inflation Plan – Podcast #188
January 9, 2023

╳