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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

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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Footnote – 1937: Santa Claus Has Trouble Getting Down This Chimney

Published on December 14, 2021

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

It was every child's fear: Santa Claus got stuck in a San Antonio, TX chimney. Would he be able to deliver his gifts?

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Einstein Offers Student Incorrect Math Advice

Published on December 10, 2021

Posted in: Schools & Education, Tidbits

15-year-old Johanna Mankiewicz wrote to Albert Einstein seeking help with a tough math problem. His answer had an error in it.

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Mother Jailed for Cooking Woodpecker

Published on December 3, 2021

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

In 1914, a mother of two was arrested for cooking a woodpecker. Unable to pay the fine, she was sentenced to twenty days in jail.

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Footnote – 1926: Snake Joins Woman in Bath

Published on November 26, 2021

Posted in: Tidbits

Mrs. Arthur Whifler was shocked when a snake emerged from the faucet while she was taking a bath.

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Proud Father Kidnaps Baby

Published on November 23, 2021

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

On February 22, 1911, staff at the Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess Home and Hospital in Brooklyn, NY frantically searched for newborn Evelyn Erickson.

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Footnote – 1902: Bride Is Her Own Grandmother

Published on November 19, 2021

Posted in: Tidbits

Interesting story from 1902 about a man who married the daughter of his son's wife. Just who is who in this story?

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Retrocast #5 – Podcast #160

Published on November 16, 2021

Posted in: Podcast, Retrocasts, Tidbits

In this episode: A proud father who kidnapped his newborn daughter, a mother jailed for cooking a woodpecker, Einstein gives a student incorrect math advice, a snake that joined a woman in the bathtub, and much more!

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Alice Cooper’s Panties Banned

Published on November 5, 2021

Posted in: Tidbits

The vinyl record inside of Alice Cooper's 1972 hit album School's Out didn't use a traditional paper sleeve. A pair of disposable lace panties were used instead. Then US Customs banned their import...

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Lingerie Rummage Sale Fails

Published on October 29, 2021

Posted in: Tidbits

On May 3, 1952, male students had a "rummage sale of choice lingerie" in an attempt to get rid of the lingerie they had stolen during a panty raid.

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Corsets Arrested

Published on October 22, 2021

Posted in: Tidbits

In 1907, two women were arrested along the Keystone Trail for the illegal sale of alcohol. But, they needed to change their clothes first...

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Retrocast #4 – Podcast #158

Published on October 15, 2021

Posted in: Podcast, Retrocasts, Tidbits

The day corsets were arrested, a university lingerie auction, US Customs bans Alice Cooper’s panties, a fish who milked a cow, a box of cookies that started a fire, the highest-paid act at Woodstock, and more!

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