Tidbits Archives - Page 3 of 21 - Useless Information

Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Anti-Roach Flour

Published on January 28, 2022

Posted in: Death and Murder, Tidbits

On December 11, 1957, Finis Kittinger accidentally used roach poison instead of flour to make fried chicken.

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Arsenic Biscuits

Published on January 25, 2022

Posted in: Tidbits

In 1909, Cynthia Barry made some biscuits for breakfast. She had accidentally used arsenic as one of the ingredients...

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Parachute Failed to Open

Published on January 21, 2022

Posted in: Tidbits

What happens when both your parachute and safety chute don't open? Lois Ann Frotten lived to tell the world about it.

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Extracting Gold From Sand

Published on January 18, 2022

Posted in: Tidbits

Fred L. Markley believed that some sand that he had found contained gold. His attempt to extract the gold landing him and his two sons in the hospital.

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Wife Arrives 36 Years Later

Published on January 14, 2022

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

After 36 years, a Chinese man living in Chicago finally had his wish come true: he was able to see his wife.

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Dying Navy Officer’s Wish Fulfilled

Published on January 11, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

While Lieutenant Nathaniel M. Dial was dying, he asked that his class ring be given to his son. The ring was then lost. Years later, it was found.

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Becomes Doctor after 45 Years

Published on January 7, 2022

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

They say it's never too late to pursue one's dreams. Find out why it took August S. Claus so long to get his medical degree.

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Sucked into Jet Engine

Published on January 4, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Escape and Survival, Tidbits

Can you imagine getting sucked into a jet engine? That happened to Al Richards in 1951 and he survived!

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Footnote – 1958: Christmases Have Merry Christmas

Published on December 24, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

The Christmases got together in 1958 to celebrate Christmas. They had to deal with prank calls from people making fun of their last name.

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Footnote – 1953: Absent-Minded Santa Claus

Published on December 23, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Sometimes Santa needs to be more focused on the job that he has chosen to do...

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How To Fill A Giant Christmas Stocking?

Published on December 22, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

In 1965, radio station WDGY held a contest for the largest Christmas stocking. They were not prepared for what was submitted.

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Footnote – 1949: Ontario Boy Given Snake by Museum

Published on December 21, 2021

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

A couple from Ontario drove 125 miles so that their son could purchase a snake, only to find out that the museum had none for sale. Would his heart be broken for Christmas?

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Reindeer Nips Boy’s Finger

Published on December 20, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

In 1954, 2-year-old Richard Ferris decided to let a reindeer take a lick from his lollipop. That was a mistake...

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Footnote – 1948: Early Greeting Might Be Said in Bad Taste

Published on December 19, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Imagine arriving home to find your bathtub filled with gelatin. That happened to Mr. & Mrs. Jack Halstead.

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A Very Unusual Christmas Tree

Published on December 17, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Back in 1900, students in the University of Pennsylvania’s biology department presented their professors with an unusually decorated Christmas tree.

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