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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Secretly Married 12 Years

Published on May 13, 2021

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Dr. John C. Cotter was a bit of a celebrity in his home town of New Bedford. Somehow he kept his marriage a secret for twelve years.

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Married Teacher Forced to Resign

Published on May 6, 2021

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Schools & Education, Tidbits

In 1906, Miss Mana E. Hall was forced to resign from her teaching position after it was discovered that she was married.

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The Tapioca Time Bomb

Published on April 17, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

It was reported on September 14, 1972 that firemen in Cardiff, Wales had spent several days putting out a fire on the 12,000-ton Swiss vessel Cassarate. Timbers stacked in the upper holds of the ship had caught fire 25 days earlier while at sea and the crew was able

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Birth Control Leases Barred

Published on April 10, 2021

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

On April 20, 1946, New York State Governor Thomas E. Dewey signed into law a measure that forbid “birth control” leases.

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Theodore Roosevelt Declares War on the Banana Skin

Published on April 2, 2021

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

In 1896, Teddy Roosevelt declared war on the slippery banana peels that were all over the streets of New York City.

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Giraffes Can’t Speak

Published on March 24, 2021

Posted in: Hoaxes, Humor, Tidbits

What did the giraffe say when the elephant stepped on his toe? To find out the answer, kids had to dial long-distance to find out the answer.

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Girls Crash Circus

Published on March 17, 2021

Posted in: Entertainment, Tidbits

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus turned down Bri Murphy and Kay Mitchell's desire to work as clowns. They found another solution.

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Double Your Money by Boiling It

Published on March 10, 2021

Posted in: Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1917, Long Island resident Mike Botrinski attempted to double his money by boiling it. Could this crazy idea actually work?

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The Wrist-Twist Instant Steering System

Published on February 15, 2021

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

In 1965, aerospace engineer Robert J. Rumpf set out to redesign the steering wheel.

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Illuminated Tires

Published on February 5, 2021

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

In 1960, Goodyear introduced Neothane tires that could be lit up in a rainbow of colors.

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Highway Hi-Fi Record Player

Published on January 30, 2021

Posted in: Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A new accessory that buyers of Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler, DeSoto, and Imperial vehicles – all manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation – could opt for in 1956 was the Highway Hi-Fi system. It was a specially developed record player that was mounted in a shock-proof case that was installed just

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Kids Keep Santa From Getting a Ticket

Published on December 28, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Just what happens when Santa Claus is pulled over for speeding? This story from 1965 just may have the answer.

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Santa Stuck in Chimney

Published on December 27, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Everyone knows that Santa comes down the chimney to deliver his gifts. Sometimes he gets stuck...

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Gift of 4-Tons of Fertilizer

Published on December 24, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Back in 1945, Norval H. Milliken received a very unusual Christmas gift: 4-tons of manure. It took some detective work to figure out who sent it.

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The Most Beautiful Ape in the World Contest

Published on December 17, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

A contest was held in 1972 to find the most Beautiful Ape in the World. Just who who win?

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