Useless Information - Page 2 of 48 - Fascinating True Stories from the Flip Side of History

Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

1960 – Custer’s Roaring Last Stand

Published on April 1, 2022

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Tidbits

Wheeling, West Virginia dog warden William Custer came up with the perfect solution to scare off intruders: he used his pet lion to guard the pound.

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The Father of Voice Radio – Reginald Fessenden – Podcast #169

Published on March 31, 2022

Posted in: Forgotten History, Podcast

It’s hard to believe, but when the first words were spoken on radio, it was dismissed as a novelty. It seems as if everyone thought that Morse code was the future. Everyone except for Reginald Fessenden.

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Retrograph – 1918: Red Cross During Pandemic

Published on March 30, 2022

Posted in: Retrographs

Colorized photograph of a demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

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1964: A Painful Mourning

Published on March 29, 2022

Posted in: Death and Murder, Tidbits

Twenty-two people died after eating koliva, a traditional dish in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Clearly, something was wrong with the koliva...

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RetroRewind – 1939: New York World’s Fair

Published on March 28, 2022

Posted in: RetroRewind Videos

A colorized film showing the highlights of the 1939 New York World's Fair at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York.

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Footnote – 1974: Unusual Theft

Published on March 25, 2022

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Footnotes to History

Some thief was in for a surprise when he or she listened to the tapes that he stole from a car in Dallas.

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Comic – 1960: Raise Allowance Petition

Published on March 24, 2022

Posted in: Comics

We're getting up a petition asking parents in the neighborhood to raise their sons' allowances."

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Retrograph – 1926: Miss America Gets a Permanent Wave

Published on March 23, 2022

Posted in: Retrographs

Colorized photo of Norma Smallwood, Miss America 1926, with her hair attached to electric permanent wave equipment.

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Footnote – 1959: Guinea Pigs Stolen

Published on March 22, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Footnotes to History

Just who would steal four guinea pigs? A very odd robbery, although these guinea pigs were highly valued.

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RetroRewind – 1952: First Today Show Episode

Published on March 21, 2022

Posted in: RetroRewind Videos

The first segment of the very first episode of NBC's Today show starring Dave Garroway.

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Footnote – 1952: Grab Pants, Said Sign

Published on March 18, 2022

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Footnotes to History

Bandits in Toronto took clothing store operator Abraham Goody for his word. The sign said grab pants and that is exactly what they did.

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Vintage Ad – 1908: Hall’s Hair Renewer

Published on March 17, 2022

Posted in: Beauty

Hall's Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer Ad, Cosmopolitan, October 1908, page 218.

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Retrograph – 1909: Women Bathing

Published on March 16, 2022

Posted in: Retrographs

Colorized photograph of women bathing on an unknown beach.

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The Case of the Hollow Nickel – Podcast #168

Published on March 15, 2022

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Podcast

In 1953, paperboy Jimmy Bozart was counting his subscription money. He dropped the coins and one nickel split open, revealing a piece of microfilm. This led to the arrest of a high-ranking Soviet spy.

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RetroRewind – 1950: DeSoto Automobile Ad

Published on March 14, 2022

Posted in: RetroRewind Videos, Transportation

Animated television advertisement for the 1950 DeSoto automobiles.

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