Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

1930: Live Baby Auctioned Off

Published on March 1, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Tidbits

Could a baby really be auctioned off? An ad by the Red Arrow Auctions claimed that they would be doing so at their next auction. Was there a catch?

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1950: Pitcher Falls Off Bench

Published on February 25, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Tidbits

Jack Bruner injured his elbow while seated in the bullpen at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1949: 14 Tonsils Taken In Family Surgery

Published on February 22, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Mr. & Mrs. Lester Backer decided to have the tonsils removed from all seven of their children at the same time...

Click to Read More...

1952: Boy Falls 1,500 Feet and Survives

Published on February 18, 2022

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Tidbits

Kenneth Wright, Jr fell off of a cliff in Lake Arrowhead, California and fell and fell, hitting countless rocks. Yet, he somehow survived.

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1939: A Surprise In A Bottle

Published on February 16, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Footnotes to History, Tidbits

Tom Gilroy can teach you an important lesson: Don't ever stick your finger on a bottle that has a wasp in it it!

Click to Read More...

1950: Man’s Life Saved by Flagpole

Published on February 11, 2022

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Tidbits

Henry L. Lefeave thought that he had found the perfect spot to view the Independence Day parade. That was until he fell out of the window...

Click to Read More...

1935: Baby Born in Deep Water Well

Published on February 4, 2022

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Tidbits

When Alton Jourdan saved his wife Willie after she fell into their farm's well, she had a small surprise for him...

Click to Read More...

Footnote – 1926: Woman Hatches Silkworm Eggs on Person in Experiment

Published on February 1, 2022

Posted in: Tidbits

Mrs. Rose Castiglione obtained 3,000 silkworm eggs from Italy and came up with a very unique way to incubate the eggs.

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

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...

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

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.

Click to Read More...

Language

Follow the Podcast

Over 5.5 Million Downloads!

Recent Podcast Episodes

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
Christmas Retrocast – Podcast #187
December 20, 2022
Bad Apples #5 – The Bishop’s Wife – Podcast #186
December 15, 2022
200 Years of Twas the Night – Podcast #185
December 5, 2022
The Cryptanalyst (Part 3) – Podcast #184
November 18, 2022