Useless Information Podcast

Retrocast 41 - Podcast #256

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: Who or what is ETAOIN SHRDLU, Nat King Cole is attacked, a boy gets the day off from school for a good deed, a man breaks into ȧ home to change a baby’s diaper, and much more!

You can read about the two-time Carnegie Medal recipients at https://www.carnegiehero.org/heroes/roll-of-two-time-carnegie-medal-recipients/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-41-podcast-256/

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Aren't We Devils? - UI Podcast #255

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

A running gag on the 1944 Truth or Consequences radio show was for host Ralph Edwards to ask, “Is there a Mr. Wickel in the house?” He never expected an answer. But when Rudolph Wickel stood up, he stepped into one of the most notorious pranks ever pulled on live radio. It was clever. It was cruel. And it was unforgettable.

You can watch the video of Mayer Field mentioned in this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjbfuVIVzE

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/arent-we-devils-podcast-255/

Talks that I am scheduled to give:

Friday, March 27, 2026 – Hudson Valley CC (Troy) - https://tinyurl.com/5839cad3

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – Hudson Valley CC (Malta) - https://tinyurl.com/swksxtr3

Monday, June 1, 2026 (Free) – Clifton Park Library

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Retrocast #40 - UI Podcast #254

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A couple marries and divorces over and over again, a fugitive appears on The Dating Game tv show, a man is fined for failing to give his wife a goodbye kiss, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-40-podcast-254/

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Lost in the Clouds - UI Podcast #253

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In 1958, a small plane vanished into the mountains—and what followed became an extraordinary true story of survival, sacrifice, and love in the face of impossible odds.

You can watch the PBS video Bruce Davis: The Gentleman of Jazz here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq4X4sEA81A

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/lost-in-the-clouds-podcast-253/

Talks that I am scheduled to give:

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 (Free) - Albany Hibernian Hall - https://hibernians.com/
Friday, March 27, 2026 – Hudson Valley CC (Troy) - https://tinyurl.com/5839cad3
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – Hudson Valley CC (Malta) - https://tinyurl.com/swksxtr3
Monday, June 1, 2026 (Free) – Clifton Park Library

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Retrocast #39 - Podcast #252

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A woman has 1,446 metal objects in her stomach, a teenager faces almost certain death unless a nail is removed from her lung, a doctor claims that a patient has a bullfrog living in her stomach, and much more!

My niece Sierra McGivney’s story about the four women who helped create the American Alpine Club: https://americanalpineclub.org/news/2025/11/5/guidebook-xvilibrary-feature

Talks that I am scheduled to give:

Monday, January 26, 2026 – Clifton Park Library - https://events.cphlibrary.org/event/15276997

Friday, March 27, 2026 – Hudson Valley CC (Troy) - https://tinyurl.com/5839cad3

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – Hudson Valley CC (Malta) - https://tinyurl.com/swksxtr3

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-39-podcast-252/

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The Hot Dog Santa Claus - UI Podcast #251

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Throughout the 1920s, the children of Boston’s North End gathered in anticipation to see if their beloved Hot Dog Santa Claus, Axel Bjorklund, would once again arrive. Despite his vanishing fortunes and worsening health, he proved that even small gestures can leave a lasting legacy.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-hot-dog-santa-claus-podcast-251/

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Retrocast #38 - UI Podcast #250

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: Can a wife legally swipe cash from her husband’s wallet? One Chicago man puts a bizarre social experiment in motion—mailing $1 to 500 people and asking them to mail it back. Plus, a high school student discovers a brilliant workaround for his school’s long-hair ban… and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-38-podcast-250/

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A Forbidden Love - Podcast #249

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In 1937, a small Indiana town was rocked by a scandal that made national headlines: a 12-year-old girl and her 13-year-old classmate became parents, igniting a legal and moral firestorm. Family loyalty, courtroom drama, and the harsh realities of the Great Depression collide in this true tale of forbidden young love.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/a-forbidden-love-podcast-249/

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Retrocast #37 - UI Podcast #248

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A fire department stands back and watches a man's home burn to the ground, a pig flies for possibly the first time ever, fleas are transported on a dog, and a gorilla destroys an American Tourister suitcase, and much more!

The Flea Circus video mentioned in this episode can be seen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9BjN_GHIic

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-37-podcast-248/

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Bad Apples #6 – Lost Boundaries – UI #247

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

My wife, Mary Jane, joins me to discuss the 1949 movie Lost Boundaries, the screen adaptation of the lives of Dr. Albert and Thyra Johnston, the New Hampshire couple who passed as white for nearly twenty years.

You can watch the movie Lost Boundaries on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z26VL_0EQks and the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/LostBoundaries.

Home to Keene: The Reunion of Lost Boundaries can be seen on New Hampshire PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/home-to-keene-lost-boundaries-reunion-ismos9/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/bad-apples-6-lost-boundaries-podcast-247/

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A White Lie - UI Podcast #246

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A New Hampshire doctor and his wife kept a secret from their children, friends, and community for nearly two decades. That was until the federal government discovered the lie. After the publication of their story in Reader's Digest in 1947, the entire nation would know.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/a-white-lie-podcast-246/

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Rewind: 1st Jewish Couple Married on TV

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Cartoonist Leigh Rubin's parents were the first Jewish couple ever to be married on US television, but it almost never happened. Includes audio clips from that Bride and Groom television episode. Original Release Date: April 25, 2019.

If you would like to contribute to the GoFundMe set up to help with the long-term care of Leigh's wife Teresa, please go to https://gofund.me/acbd2683 (A very BIG thank you for doing so!)

Audio for Part 2 of my interview with Leigh Rubin, as well as photos of his parents, the video of their wedding, and some of my favorite Rubes cartoons can be found on my website at https://uselessinformation.org/the-first-jewish-couple-married-on-national-tv/

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Retrocast #36 - UI Podcast #245

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Abbott & Costello agree to perform in a boy’s backyard for 70 cents, parents sue a milk dairy because their son grew too tall, a man sleeps only 2 hours per day for 33 years, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-36-podcast-245/

Listen to my interview with cartoonist Leigh Rubin discussing how his parents were The First Jewish Couple Married on National Television: https://uselessinformation.org/the-first-jewish-couple-married-on-national-tv/

Also, you can see the original Bride & Groom episode where his parents were married at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl8943Q48X4

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Escape from Monkey Mountain - UI Podcast #244

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Nearly 175 monkeys escaped from a zoo in Massapequa, New York in 1935. Led by an outlaw monkey named Al Capone, they mostly took refuge in the woods. While the vast majority of the monkeys were soon accounted for, Al Capone continued to remain at large.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/escape-from-monkey-mountain-podcast-244/

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Retrocast #35 - UI Podcast #243

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Eight different stories in which someone or something got the last laugh. Includes: rattlesnakes that outsmarted a snake trap, jokes aimed at women are funnier, a friendly feud with the cable company, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-35-podcast-243/

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To Russia for Love - UI Podcast #242

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A British man hadn't seen his Russian wife for nearly five years. The Soviets repeatedly refused to allow him into the USSR, and they denied her request to leave. He became so desperate that he decided to risk his life to see her. Would he survive?

There are two videos on YouTube about this story:

Brian Grover Home at Last (1939) (British Pathé) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fJVeQbmjRY

Mr. Grover and His Wife Return Home (British Movietone) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXfJgbTvOIQ

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/to-russia-for-love-podcast-242/

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The Denver Spiderman - UI Podcast #241

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In Denver, Colorado, in 1941, a man was found murdered in his own home. The most unusual part was that all of the doors and windows were locked from the inside. So, how was the killer able to make his getaway?

You can listen to more of History Dispatches at https://historydispatches.com/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-denver-spiderman-podcast-241/

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Retrocast 34 - UI Podcast #240

Wed, 21 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A warning to stay away from people with blue eyes, Stanford students use ice nickels to pay for phone calls, the speed limit for automobiles is set at 2 mph, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-34-podcast-240/

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Diamond Jim's Shack - UI Podcast #239

Wed, 07 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A pristine view. A stubborn fisherman’s legacy. When wealth clashes with tradition, who wins? Dive into the gripping saga of Diamond Jim's Shack, where a simple fishing spot turns into a battleground between privilege and perseverance.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/diamond-jims-shack-podcast-239/

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Retrocast 33 - UI Podcast #238

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The Titanic is supposedly unsinkable, a cat is jailed, clothing seems to instantly combust, shoes for postmen are designed to minimize dog bites, a tastier spinach, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-33-podcast-238/

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Rent-A-Wife - UI Podcast #237

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Need help? Try renting a wife! They would do anything from A to Z, except for X! A true story from the early 1980s in which some ambitious women decided to market what they did best: being a wife. Includes an interview with Jane Hanne Nevensmith, who ran a successful Rent-A-Wife business in Massachusetts.

The 2022 interview with Jane Nevensmith mentioned in the podcast can be found here: https://vimeo.com/736250037

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/rent-a-wife-podcast-237/

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Retrocast 32 - UI Podcast #236

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

A man discovers the Roman Ruins of his youth have been torn down, a violin made from a lobster claw, an electric chair that electrocuted itself, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-32-podcast-236/

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Ding Dong Daddy - Part 2 - UI Podcast #235

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Step into the life of Francis Van Wie, a streetcar conductor with charm, wit, and a string of marriages that captivated 1940s San Francisco, transforming a wartime distraction into a national sensation. Join the ride with the "Ding Dong Daddy"!

Images, links, and transcripts for this episode can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/ding-dong-daddy-part-2-podcast-235/

Listen to the song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MReOG3RyXWg by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies.

A list of Francis Van Wie's 18 confirmed wives can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wives-of-Francis-Van-Wie.pdf

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Ding Dong Daddy - Part 1 - UI Podcast #234

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In 1915, a man known only as John F. Kennedy appeared in Kenosha, WI unable to recall his past or even his own name. With only a few cryptic clues and a suitcase marked with the initials "R.E.J.," he embarked on a journey to uncover his forgotten life. From the kindness of strangers to the shocking revelations of his true identity, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/ding-dong-daddy-part-1-podcast-234/

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Retrocast #31 - UI Podcast #233

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

A man recovers his lost diamond ring through a chance encounter, manhole covers fly in Chicago, how to divide a Cadillac 57 ways, a man is fined for barking like a dog, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-31-podcast-233/

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Who Owns Her Face? - UI Podcast #232

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

When 17-year-old Abigail Roberson's photo was printed on a widely distributed poster without her consent, it set off a legal battle that would forever change the definition of privacy.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/who-owns-her-face-podcast-232/

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Christmas Retrocast - UI Podcast #231

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Christmas Retrocast! Includes: Tumbleweed replaces the standard Christmas tree for one family, a Santa who practically gave away the store, a policeman has a live turkey thrown at him for Christmas, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/christmas-retrocast-podcast-231/

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The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Snatched From Death - Podcast #230

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

The harrowing true story of three airmen stranded on an unforgiving, desolate island after their airplane crashed off the coast of Greenland. After the search for them was abandoned, they faced the relentless cold and starvation, teetering on the brink of death. Would they be rescued in time, or would the merciless Arctic become their final resting place?

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/snatched-from-death-podcast-230/

You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms:

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X (Twitter): https://t.co/7pV2H8iXJV

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FlipSideofHistory/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Retrocast #29 - UI Podcast #229

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Jill ChaCha of the podcast Well… That’s Interesting! cohosts! Includes: A debate over whether we should have female judges, a ventriloquist projects his voice to avoid paying a fine, why homely girls make the best wives, and much more!

You can find Jill’s podcast here: https://www.airwavemedia.com/our-shows/well...-that's-interesting

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-29-podcast-229/

You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast

X (Twitter): https://t.co/7pV2H8iXJV

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FlipSideofHistory/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Pet Rocks - UI Podcast #228

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Something different in this podcast!!! I let podcast hosts Art Quinn and Cynthia Coleman tell one of my stories! It’s all about the 1975 Pet Rock fad and how it all happened.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/pet-rocks-podcast-228/

Comment on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FlipSideofHistory/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Miss USA for a Day - UI Podcast #227

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Back in 1957, Leona Gage had beauty, charm, and a crown—until scandal snatched it away. Just what had she done wrong? Discover the whirlwind rise and dramatic fall of the beauty queen who became an overnight sensation.

Video of Leona on the Ed Sullivan Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyUZaZtit_o

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/miss-usa-for-a-day-podcast-227/

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Retrocast #28 - UI Podcast #226

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

A man is forced to pay for the burial of a porcupine, a stowaway who hid inside of someone’s coffin, a cactus buried under concrete for 45 years, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-28-podcast-226/

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Winston Churchill Gets Run Over - UI Podcast #225

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

While Winston Churchill was crossing Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in 1931, he was hit by a car and thrown down to the pavement. Unable to move his fingers and toes, Churchill believed that he was paralyzed. Listen to this story to find out exactly what happened, the severity of Churchill’s injuries, and what consequences the driver of that car faced.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/winston-churchill-gets-run-over/

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Dubious Advice 2 - UI Podcast #224

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

An exploration of advice columns and their evolution over time. How have the questions and responses shifted over the past century? Some of the answers are bound to make you laugh.

Affiliate link for elevenlabs.io, which was used for the AI-generated voices in this episode: https://elevenlabs.io/?from=partnerray4138

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/dubious-advice-2-podcast-224/

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Lies in the Fast Lane - UI Podcast #223

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Truck driver Eugene Wood hid a big secret from his friends and family. No one suspected anything. That was until he was killed in a traffic accident and a judge in Troy, NY uncovered the truth.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/lies-in-the-fast-lane-podcast-223/

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Retrocast #27 - UI Podcast #222

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

True fish stories, a newsreel photographer goes on an unexpected flight, a young girl attempts to visit Honolulu, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-27-podcast-222/

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Pete the Python - UI Podcast #221

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

This episode of the Useless Information Podcast is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/INFORMATIONPOD and get on your way to being your best self.

The incredible true story of an 18-foot, 150-pound python who escaped from the Fort Worth Zoo back in 1954. But instead of causing widespread fear, this serpent slithered his way into the hearts of people worldwide.

WBAP-TV coverage of Pete the Python (videos and transcripts): https://digital.library.unt.edu/search/?q=pete+the+python

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/pete-the-python-podcast-221/

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The Man Who Would Become Uncle Sam - UI #220

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Have you ever wondered why the United States government is called Uncle Sam? This nickname originates from Uncle Samuel Wilson, who provided beef and pork to the troops during the War of 1812. Join the City of Troy and Rensselaer County, New York historian Kathy Sheehan as she takes us on a tour of Uncle Sam's life.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/uncle-sam-podcast-220

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Mr. Benefactor - Podcast #219

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In November 1949, Aurora, Illinois found itself with an unusual mystery on its hands. An unidentified benefactor lavishly distributed substantial sums of money to individuals, charities, and the local high school. Adjusted for inflation, the philanthropist bestowed millions within a mere span of weeks. The burning question: Who was this mysterious figure and what motivated such a profound act of generosity? Listen to this episode to find out!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/mr-benefactor-podcast-219

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Retrocast #26 - Podcast #218

Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:00 -0000

A man is arrested for stealing his own money, a barn is stolen while a farmer sleeps, a Harvard graduate who lost his memory, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-26-podcast-218/

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A Crucifixion in Chicago - UI Podcast #217

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In 1945, police were astounded to discover a man affixed to a wooden cross, hastily fastened to the beams supporting Chicago’s elevated railway. His assailants were never identified, but the victim repeatedly brought up the name of Dr. Emil Bronner. It's worth noting that this is the very same Dr. Bronner who later pioneered the widely acclaimed castile soap that carries his name. This story will help explain the quirky messages on their soap bottles.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/a-crucifixion-in-chicago-podcast-217

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Retrocast #25 - UI Podcast #216

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0000

An alligator is found in a California swamp, male toll collectors oppose the hiring of women, a mummified man inspires a Don McLean song, a chewing gum party, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-25-podcast-216/

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The Strange Case of the Poppy Seed Roll - UI #215

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In 1933, New York City police had a very unusual mystery on their hands. Two people died of nearly identical causes within an hour of one another at an Automat restaurant in Manhattan. Strangers to each other, the sole connecting thread between them was a poppy seed roll.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-strange-case-of-the-poppy-seed-roll-podcast-215/

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The Lightning Tamers - UI Podcast #214

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Our modern world is dependent on electricity. But did you ever stop to wonder where it all began? Guest Kathy Joseph, author of the book The Lightning Tamers and host of the popular YouTube channel Kathy Loves Physics, joins me to talk about some of these amazing stories.

Video of this interview: https://uselessinformation.org/the-lightning-tamers-podcast-214/

Purchase The Lightning Tamers by Kathy Joseph at https://shorturl.at/cwzKS

Kathy Loves Physics & History on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weirdly_wonderful

Kathy Joseph’s website: https://kathylovesphysics.com/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-lightning-tamers-podcast-214/

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The Radiator Romeo - UI Podcast #213

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Back in 1937, Harold Hulen was madly in love with Florence Hurlbut. He desperately wanted to marry her, but every time he asked, she turned him down. After a couple of years of constant rejection, Harold came up with an outrageous way to get her attention. Soon their story would be told in newspapers and on the radio from coast-to-coast.

Affiliate link for elevenlabs.io: https://elevenlabs.io/?from=partnerray4138

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-radiator-romeo-podcast-213/

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Retrocast #24 - UI Podcast #212

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Bruce Carlson of My History Can Beat Up Your Politics cohosts! A man survives going over Niagara, only to later die after slipping on an orange peel; a family is told they can only take one bath per week; a woman catches a trout with a fly swatter, Beatles hair is clogging up swimming pools, and much more!

You can find Bruce Carlson’s podcast here: https://myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-24-podcast-212/

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The Poor Rich Man - UI Podcast #211

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In 1950, the Hecht department store chain unveiled plans for constructing a massive new store in Arlington, Virginia. However, their ambitious project faced a formidable obstacle in the form of an 82-year-old preacher. This elderly man insisted on selling his property to the company only if they agreed to pay an exorbitant sum. The question remained: who would emerge victorious in this standoff?

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-poor-rich-man-podcast-211/

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Christmas Retrocast - UI Podcast #210

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A look at letters to Santa through the years, a judge who sentences two men to get a boy his Christmas gifts, Santa’s pants fall down, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/christmas-retrocast-podcast-210

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The Beardless Santa - UI Podcast #209

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0000

The heartwarming story of "Uncle Dan" Vinson, a man who dedicated much of his life to ensuring that Christmas became a truly special occasion for children all around the world. In his workshop, his helpers tirelessly worked throughout the year, diligently fixing misfit toys and crafting new ones. Somehow millions of those gifts would find their way to where they needed to go. He derived immense joy simply from the knowledge that countless children would have presents to unwrap on Christmas Day.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-beardless-santa-podcast-209/

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Retrocast #22 - UI Podcast #208

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A hippopotamus is on the loose in Detroit, a skydiver in freefall grabs a parachute from another skydiver, Chicago steaks are really horse meat, a boy’s crib is struck by lightning, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-22-podcast-208/

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Slippery the Sea Lion - UI Podcast #207

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Cyril, the daring sea lion, embarked on an epic escape from a London, Ontario zoo in 1958, setting his sights on the vast Atlantic Ocean. His incredible journey left everyone wondering: Could he survive the challenges that lie ahead? Would he make it to Niagara Falls? And if he did, how would he get over the Falls? This captivating tale held readers on both sides of the border spellbound and even sparked a minor international incident over which country would ultimately claim Cyril as their own.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/slippery-the-sea-lion-podcast-207/

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Retrocast #21 - UI Podcast #206

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: Boston women must beat a deadline to marry, a man’s feet are too big for the US Marines, a vice-principal cuts offensive images from a sex-ed textbook, dresses arrive 63 years late, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-21-podcast-206/

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The Naked Mustard Ladies - UI Podcast #205

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0000

A bizarre true story that involves mustard, relish, the United Parcel Service (UPS), and three Michigan women who wore nothing more than their shoes. It was one that gained national notoriety, but just as quickly as it ascended to the spotlight, it disappeared into the shadows of obscurity.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-naked-mustard-ladies-podcast-205/

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Retrocast #20 - UI Podcast #204

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A kangaroo is on the loose in NYC, a woman fails her driving test 39 times, someone is sneaking under the tables at college libraries and painting women’s toenails, a man breaks into an apartment and covers a woman with cake icing, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-20-podcast-204/

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Boxed for a Better Life - UI Podcast #203

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Back in 1901, Johann Beck was madly in love with his fiancé Johanna, but he found it difficult to obtain employment in Germany. They both dreamed of going to the United States to start a new life, but they couldn’t afford to do so. Then, Johann had a brilliant idea! He came up with a unique, lower-cost way of sailing across the vast Atlantic Ocean. Yet even the slightest mishap could cost him his life. Would he make it to America? Would he ever see his beloved Johanna again? Would love be able to conquer all?

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/boxed-for-a-better-life-podcast-203/

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Retrocast #19 - UI Podcast #202

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A World War II veteran who could only rent a home in an upscale New Jersey neighborhood if he agreed to bring a live goat, Baltimore requires male go-go dancers to cover their breasts while performing, and a woman who sat through 864 showings of the film The Sound of Music, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-19-podcast-202/

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Back Into the Woods - Podcast #201

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Ted Hollingworth shares his perspective on the intense search for his sister 5-year-old Pamela Hollingworth, who went missing in New Hampshire's White Mountains back in 1941. The news of her disappearance prompted an enormous response, with thousands of volunteers combing the woods tirelessly in search of her. After eight grueling days both rain and freezing temperatures, a miraculous turn of events occurred – Pamela was discovered alive. Ted discusses her rescue, Pamela's remarkable recovery, and the events that unfolded in the aftermath.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/back-into-the-woods-podcast-201

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Mississippi Bans Sesame Street - UI Podcast #200

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Since its initial premiere, the children's television program Sesame Street achieved immense popularity and acclaim, captivating millions of viewers throughout the United States. However, there was a notable exception to its widespread reach: the state of Mississippi. It was purported that the decision to prohibit the show on their educational television station stemmed from concerns over its racially diverse cast. But was that truly the case? To uncover the truth behind this narrative, this captivating episode delves into the real events surrounding the ban of Sesame Street in Mississippi.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/mississippi-bans-sesame-street-podcast-200/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Bonus Episode: I Am a Guest on the Off Exit 10 Podcast

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, I am the one being interviewed! Recorded on June 24, 2023, I was a guest on the Off Exit 10 Podcast, which is produced by my former students Mike & Jordan Sirani and Paul Morse. During the discussion, I talked about how I became a teacher, what it was like to be on the Internet before the world wide web, how the podcast came about, and more.

You can listen to more episodes of the Off Exit 10 Podcast at https://www.offexit10.com/

The episode was recorded at Capital District Sports and Fitness in Round Lake, NY. https://capitaldistrictsportandfitness.com/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Retrocast 18 - UI #199

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A deer stabs a man, a dress made from postage stamps, three teenagers take a joyride in an airplane, the history of the pay telephone, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-18-podcast-199/

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Bonus Episode: The Cold War Spy Swap

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

With the recent passing of FBI cryptanalyst Marvin Lautzenheiser, here is an episode of History Daily that tells the exciting story of William Fisher (aka Rudolf Abel) and his Cold War spy swap with US pilot Gary Powers.

Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham (American Scandal, American History Tellers) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Whether it’s to remember the tragedy of December 7th, 1941, the day “that will live in infamy,” or to celebrate that 20th day in July 1969, when mankind reached the moon, History Daily is there to tell you the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world—one day at a time.

You can listen to more episodes of History Daily at https://www.historydaily.com/

Marvin Lautzenheiser’s obituary: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ca/san-jose/marvin-wendell-lautzenheiser-16503972

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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The Kid Is Not My Son - UI #198

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In 1923, Joseph Boyer III was born to a wealthy Detroit couple. He stood to inherit a trust fund valued in the many millions of dollars until everything suddenly spiraled out of control. Was his dad really the father? Was his mom really the mother? If not, who was? It’s the long-forgotten true story that involves deceit, attempted blackmail, international law, forged papers, a deceased lawyer, and a young unmarried woman who sought to put her baby up for adoption.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-kid-is-not-my-son-podcast-198/

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Dubious Advice - UI Podcast #197

Thu, 18 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Something NEW! for the podcast: A look at advice columns and how they have evolved over time. Have the questions and responses changed over the past century? Some of the responses are sure to make you laugh.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/dubious-advice-podcast-197

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Frasier, the Sensuous Lion - UI Podcast #196

Wed, 03 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Frasier was a decrepit old circus lion whose best days were far behind him, or at least that was what his caregivers believed. While he wasn’t much to look at, he proved popular with the lionesses. Frasier showed the world that it was better to be a lover than a fighter by surprisingly fathering 35 cubs during the last 18 months of his life. His virility made him famous worldwide. Fan clubs, Frasier merchandise, songs, and a movie soon followed.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/frasier-the-sensuous-lion-podcast-196

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Retrocast #17 - UI Podcast #195

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: a train that derailed and then jumped back on the track, a man who claimed ownership of nearly the entire universe, a bet in which the loser would have to eat 1 million peas, and much more!

Link to the auction of the Einstein letter: https://bit.ly/3LazYrx

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-17-podcast-195/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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The Love Pirate - UI Podcast #194

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In 1923, Kathleen Morrell was arrested by Chicago police for having five children out of wedlock. She was an excellent mother, but as an unmarried woman, she was charged with contributing to the delinquency of her own children. Would a judge really place her kids in an orphanage? Listen to learn more.

The survey discussed in the podcast can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airwave

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-love-pirate-podcast-194/

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Retrocast #16 - UI Podcast #193

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: a man who recorded the location of buried treasure on a record, a girl who swallowed 200 rocks, a color-blind plumber, the history of McDonald’s Big Mac, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-16-podcast-193/

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A Severed Relationship - UI #192

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Ouch!!! The ghastly true story of Bertha Boronda who, in 1907, took a straight razor and sliced off her husband Frank’s penis. During her trial, the courtroom was packed, and all the regional newspapers followed the story closely. She was the Lorena Bobbitt of her day.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/bertha-boronda-podcast-192/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UselessInfoCast

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Retrocast #15 - UI Podcast #191

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A man who eats match heads, a wife receives a frozen baby elephant for Valentine’s Day, every kiss supposedly knocks 3 minutes off of your life, a couple who waited 60 years to marry, a 10-year-ban is proposed to curb the spread of tuberculosis, and much more!

Link to the survey discussed in this episode: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airwave

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-15-podcast-191/

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Marty the Marijuana Mouse - UI Podcast #190

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0000

The crazy true story of Marty, a mouse who was stealing marijuana and other drugs from the evidence room of the San Jose police department in 1974. He was placed on trial for his crimes and then sent off to a lab for testing. Protestors rallied to free Marty. Bumper stickers were printed, Free Marty tee-shirts were sold, there was a Marty fan club, and Marty Mouse awards were handed out at a banquet.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/marty-the-marijuana-mouse-podcast-190/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UselessInfoCast

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Retrocast #14 - UI Podcast #189

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A man claims his wife snores in Morse code, a student runs away after his teacher tells him not to return until he brings his textbook, a man hitchhikes after his car is stolen and is picked up by his own vehicle, the AMA recommends those over 40 not do the Twist, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-14-podcast-189/

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The Newburyport Anti-Inflation Plan - UI #188

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Inflation in the United States hit 20% shortly after World War II. The government couldn’t get it under control, so the businessmen of Newburyport, Massachusetts came up with their own plan. Soon, other towns and cities were doing the same. Did it work? Could it work today? Listen to find out.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-newburyport-anti-inflation-plan-podcast-188/

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Christmas Retrocast - UI Podcast #187

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0000

Ten true, long-forgotten stories from Christmas past! A man pays for 41,000 student accounts at a closed Pittsburgh bank, a Christmas cactus theft epidemic, a wife serves her husband golf ball hash, two boys are contacted by Santa via their walkie-talkies, and much more!

Links to the text of each of these stories can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/christmas-retrocast-podcast-187/

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Bad Apples #5 - The Bishop's Wife - UI #186

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the 1947 classic Christmas movie "The Bishop’s Wife," starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. Released just one year after the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” we discuss whether this movie is of the same caliber. And even if it isn’t, is the movie worth seeing?

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200 Years of Twas the Night - UI Podcast #185

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0000

December 24, 2022, marks the bicentennial of the classic poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. Pamela McColl, author of the new book Twas the Night, The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem, joins me to discuss the origins of the poem, the debate over who truly wrote it, and how it has gone on to be the most published and most often recited poem in the library of English literature.

Transcript, images, and links for this episode: https://uselessinformation.org/200-years-of-twas-the-night-podcast-185/

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The Cryptanalyst (Part 3) - UI Podcast #184

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In this third and final segment, 93-year-old Marvin Lautzenheiser discusses his reasons for leaving the FBI, his 17 years consulting with the Pentagon to model future nuclear wars, his patents that are still used today for computer storage, plus you will get to hear music being played on his monster-sized theater organ that he installed in his home.

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The Cryptanalyst (Part 2) - UI Podcast #183

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this second segment, 93-year-old Marvin Lautzenheiser discusses his time as an FBI field agent in Charlotte, how his team finally deciphered the hollow nickel message after years of numerous failed attempts, how he avoided testifying at Rudolph Abel's trial, and offers up his opinion on the Steven Spielberg movie Bridge of Spies.

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The Cryptanalyst (Part 1) - UI Podcast #182

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

93-year-old Marvin Lautzenheiser was the lead cryptanalyst for the FBI team that deciphered the microfilm message contained in the Hollow Nickel (Podcast #168) and was asked to testify at the trial of Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. In this first segment, Marvin discusses growing up during the Great Depression and how a chance question at his college graduation led him to the FBI.

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The Great Los Angeles Air Raid - UI Podcast #181

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The long-forgotten story of a major battle that took place over Los Angeles just a few months after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was but a brief blip in the global conflict, yet the US used all its might in an attempt to shoot down the enemy planes that were detected overhead. The sky was set ablaze with exploding shells as searchlights focused their beams and tracked the enemy aircraft high above.

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YesterCast #1 - November 22, 1963 - UI #180

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy was a tragic day for the United States. But what else was happening on November 22, 1963? This first episode of the Useless Information YesterCast explores the rest of the happenings of that day, including the top movies, songs, and TV shows.

Included are a number of quirky and offbeat stories, including that of a man who took an ad out in the newspaper seeking an elephant, a man who mistook a boy for a squirrel and shot him, a bank robbery in which the bank earned money, an escapee who had been in jail nearly the entire time he was supposedly on the run, and so much more.

Images, links, & transcript: https://uselessinformation.org/yestercast-1-november-22-1963-podcast-180/

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Bad Apples #4 - Gaslight - UI #179

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the 1944 classic movie "Gaslight." Starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, and Angela Lansbury (in her film debut), it is from this movie that the term “gaslighting” originated. It’s a psychological thriller in which the viewer is witness to a woman being intentionally driven to madness by her husband so that he can carry out his sinister plan.

Images, links, and transcript: https://uselessinformation.org/bad-apples-4-gaslight-podcast-179/

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Russell Sage: The Meanest Miser in the Land - UI #178

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Russell Sage was once one of the wealthiest men in the world. He was ruthless in business and was said to hate philanthropy, upper education, and women. When he passed away in 1906, his wife Olivia got even by giving away nearly every penny of his fortune to the causes that Sage despised. Historian Kathy Sheehan joins me to tell the true story of Russell Sage.

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Retrocast 12 - UI Podcast #177

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A man who claimed that he had eloped with another man’s wife because she had fed him a delicious piece of cake, a dead woman who sat up in her coffin just as the undertakers began to pour ice over her body, smog changes the color of a California man’s tie, and much more! Tim Harford of Cautionary Tales cohosts.

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The Rise & Fall of the Celestial Comet - UI #176

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In 1941, the Plainfield Teachers College football team was unstoppable. That was until a reporter exposed a shocking secret about the team and their storybook season was brought to a grinding halt.

Images, links, and transcripts: https://uselessinformation.org/the-rise-fall-of-the-celestial-comet-podcast-176/

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Retrocast #11 - UI Podcast #175

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A mystery man speaks an unknown language, a boy gets his head stuck in a toilet seat, a woman slips on a bar of soap and flies out the window, and much more! Madison Newton cohosts.

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Almost Over the Hump - UI Podcast #174

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Just what happens when your airplane crashes high up in the Himalayan mountains and there is no chance that anyone will ever find you? This happened to pilots Joe Rosbert and Ridge Hammell during World War II as they attempted to pilot a cargo plane over “The Hump.” It’s an amazing story of perseverance, survival, and a lot of luck.

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Retrocast #10 - UI Podcast #173

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: The United States once banned the sale of sliced bread, the State of Oregon attempted to ban popcorn in movie theaters, women were using fly swatters to swat away their excess pounds, and much more! Matt Breen of The Explorers Podcast cohosts.

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From Car Show!: The Jeep and World War II

Wed, 25 May 2022 04:00:00 -0000

We’re shaking things up today and sharing a preview from Car Show!, a new podcast from our friends at Pushkin Industries. Longtime Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman tells the stories of the vital cars — the ones that have changed how we drive and live, whose significance lies outside the scope of horsepower or miles per gallon. In this episode, Eddie talks about the military background of the Jeep, a vehicle made for the battlefields of World War II, and its lasting popularity in America decades after the war. You can listen to the full episode and more from Car Show! at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/carshow?sid=useless.

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Henry Ford's Peace Ship - UI Podcast #172

Mon, 16 May 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In 1915, American industrialist Henry Ford announced that he was willing to use his entire fortune to bring an end to World War I. So, he chartered a ship to take many of the prominent peace activists of the day to Europe and convene a peace conference to mediate an end to the European War. So, hop aboard the Peace Ship!

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Arbor Day Turns 150! - UI Podcast #171

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Arbor Day is 150 years old! Learn the origins of the day, plus how one small upstate New York town continues the annual celebration.

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Retrocast #9 - UI Podcast #170

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A woman dumps her fiancé at the altar to marry the minister, a jealous husband who used rattlesnakes to keep men away from his wife, the unlikely suspects in a case of truck tire sabotage, and much more! Retrosponsor: Kraft Mayonnaise

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The Father of Voice Radio - UI Podcast #169

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0000

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. Nearly everyone except for Reginald Fessenden.

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The Case of the Hollow Nickel - UI #168

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In 1953, paperboy Jimmy Bozart was counting his newspaper 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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Retrocast #8 - UI Podcast #167

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A live baby is auctioned off, a carnival knife thrower accidentally hits his human target, a West Virginian dog warden with an unusual approach to keeping thieves out of the pound, and much more!

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The Eddie Cantor Peace Prize - UI #166

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In 1936, superstar Eddie Cantor asked his radio listeners to write an essay describing how the United States could avoid war. The prize was a full college scholarship. With no set rules, something was certain to go wrong. And something did go very wrong.

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Retrocast #7 - UI Podcast #165

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode: A man falls out of a window and is saved by a flagpole, seven tonsillectomies done in an assembly line fashion, the last cigarette commercial on US network television, a baby born in a well, and much more! Retrosponsor: Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin

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The Glass House Girl - UI #164

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0000

Edna Kirby spent more than a decade in Hollywood appearing in silent movies for Paramount Studios. While she never became a movie star, Edna drew large crowds in nearly every town that she visited. That’s because Edna Kirby lived in a glass house.

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Bad Apples #3 - Sunset Boulevard - UI #163

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard." Directed by Billy Wilder, this movie tells the story of a struggling screenwriter who gets into a dangerous relationship with a faded Hollywood actress who dreams of a big comeback.

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Retrocast #6 - UI Podcast #162

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Christmas episode! A reindeer that bit a boy’s finger, a lawsuit over the world’s largest Christmas stocking, an absent-minded Santa Claus, a Santa caught with his pants down, the first Christmas film ever made, and much more! Retrosponsor: Dole Pineapple Juice and Gems

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Tom McGee's Back on the Chain Gang - UI #161

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Tom McGee wanted nothing more for Christmas than to be able to spend time caring for his hogs. The only catch was that he needed to commit a crime and hope that a judge would sentence him to time on one of Georgia’s infamous chain gangs. A true story that took place in Atlanta from 1928 through 1930.

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Retrocast #5 - UI Podcast #160

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0000

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, a filmstrip projector demonstrated for the first time, and much more! Retrosponsor: Log Cabin Syrup.

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The Forgotten Man - UI Podcast #159

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0000

A New Jersey man was caught in a Catch-22 situation. As long as he remained on death row, he could live. If he attempted to get off of death row by challenging his sentence in court, he would likely die. Can you guess which option he chose? A true story that began in 1908.

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Retrocast #4 - UI Podcast #158

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode: The day corsets were arrested, a lingerie auction at the University of Nebraska, US Customs bans Alice Cooper’s panties, a woman hurt in a freak accident, a fish who milked a cow, woman entertains friends while husband robs their homes, a box of cookies that started a fire, a man who accidentally robbed a bank, & the highest-paid act at Woodstock. Retrosponsor: Sears advertisement for School’s Out by Alice Cooper.

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Don't Mess With Minerva Miller - UI Podcast #157

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In 1911, Mrs. Minerva Miller and two friends went to The Paterson Show in Paterson, NJ to watch a movie. A standard ticket cost 5 cents, but Mrs. Miller was told that she would have to pay 25 cents because she was black. Minerva Miller decided to challenge the theater's racist policy.

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Retrocast #3 - UI Podcast #156

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0000

A 72-year-old woman who married a 20-year-old man, a 16-year-old girl arrested for cursing, a woman who had some run-ins with modern appliances, speaking English deforms the mouth, a husband who refused to buy his wife false teeth, a "Dammed Missouri" book that disappeared in a flood, and more! Retrosponsor: Rinso

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Lost in the Mountains - UI Podcast #155

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In 1941, 5-year-old Pamela Hollingworth disappeared into the dense forest of New Hampshire's White Mountains. In what became the largest search and rescue effort in New England to that date, more than 1,500 men spent more than a week looking for her. Was she murdered, kidnapped, or something else? Find out what really happened to Pamela Hollingworth.

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Retrocast #2 - UI Podcast #154

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Retrocast #2: Boy runs away because he can·t master Latin, a mother who loaned her son to a stranger, a man who survived a Nazi firing squad, cows killed by lightning, man's leg broken three times, truth in business inboxes, 200 hog call records stolen, a helicopter melon thief, and more!

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Two Worlds Collide - UI Podcast #153

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In 1932, Redondo Beach school superintendent Elliott B. Thomas mysteriously disappeared and his office was ransacked. Was he kidnapped? Could he have been killed? Or was something else going on? Also, learn about a new chemical element called Administratium.

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Retrocast #1 - UI Podcast #152

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Retrocast #1 - A 106-year-old woman seeks a husband, 5 phonograph records is admission to a dance, Australia gives the US an albino kangaroo, Johnny Cash promoting the Home Equipment Co., A country could be 49th US state, and more!

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A Blind Eye - UI Podcast #151

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In 1933, Helen Vasko was diagnosed with a malignant eye tumor that threatened her life. Her parents would not consent to surgery and the case ended up in court. It was a battle between parental vs. state rights and which side should have the ultimate deciding power. This fascinating story examines both sides of the case and the landmark ruling that was ultimately made.

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A Fortune to the Dogs - UI Podcast #150

Mon, 31 May 2021 04:00:00 -0000

When Isabel McHie was pulled off of a train in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1935, she confirmed to the world that she truly was eccentric. It was a reputation that continued long after she died. Also, learn about a 1907 promotion that instructed housewives to wink at their grocer, a will written on a petticoat, another will penned on the rung of a ladder, and a woman of little means who left it all to the "dumb animals" that she cared so much for. Retrosponsor: Kellogg's Sugar Pops cereal.

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Bad Apples #2 - The Hitch-Hiker - UI Podcast #149

Wed, 19 May 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the classic movie "The Hitch-Hiker." Directed by Ida Lupino, this movie was inspired by the crimes of mass murderer Billy Cook, which was told in podcast #148 titled "Badman Billy Cook."

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Badman Billy Cook - UI Podcast #148

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0000

There's a killer on the road. The mostly forgotten true story of the manhunt for mass murderer Billy Cook in 1951. His crime spree was the inspiration for a verse in one of rock's most classic songs. Also learn about a teacher forced to resign because she had married, a doctor that kept his marriage a secret for 12 years, and a couple who secretly married to avoid all of the fuss. Retrosponsor: Tulsa Window and Door Company.

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So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, I make an important announcement about the future of the podcast.

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The St. Louis Diphtheria Tragedy - UI Podcast #147

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 04:00:00 -0000

The diphtheria vaccine saved many lives until children started dying from it back in 1901. One could say that it was all the fault of a horse named Jim. Also, learn about the invention of spray paint cans, the time that Teddy Roosevelt declared war on banana peels, birth control leases, and a ticking tapioca time bomb. Retrosponsor: Manischewitz Matzos

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The Price of a Kiss - UI Podcast #146

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:27:00 -0000

In 1919, Chicago doctor Justin L. Mitchell forcefully kissed nurse Mathilde Benkhardt without her permission. She challenged him in court and the outcome may have ruined him for the rest of his life. Also, learn about the original title of the song Midnight Train to Georgia, an attempt to double one's money by boiling it, two female clowns that crashed the circus ring, and a joke that involved a long-distance phone call. Retrosponsor: Here Comes Mr. Kitzel

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Bad Apples #1 - The Best Years of Our Lives - UI Podcast #145

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the classic movie "The Best Years of Our Lives." Released in 1946, the movie won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor.

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The Sleep-Walking Murderer - UI Podcast #144

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0000

In 1930, Michael Filosa killed his half-brother Salvatore De Hall while he was sleep-walking. He also slashed his mother Anna De Hall and half-sister Catherine. Could he have really done such a thing? Also learn about the name of the famous final Jeopardy tune, Chrysler's Hi-Way Hi-Fi system, Goodyear's colorful translucent tires, and the Wrist-Twist Instant Steering system. Retrosponsor: Hormel Spam

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A Grateful Mother - UI Podcast #143

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0000

The heartwarming true story from the 1950s of a secret Santa and the generous Christmas gifts that he gave to Helen Arnold's family in Akron, Ohio. Also, learn about the real name for a Hanukkah menorah, a guy who received 4-tons of manure for Christmas, a Santa who got stuck in a chimney, and a Santa who was saved from a ticket by children. Retrosponsor: Duz laundry soap.

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The Runaway Miss America - UI Podcast #142

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Bette Cooper never dreamed of winning a beauty pageant and was shocked when she won the 1937 Miss America title. Within hours, Bette had disappeared. Where could she have gone? Also learn the history of the Miss America theme song, the youngest Miss America ever, about a beautiful legs contest held in Fort Worth, the World Posture Queen, and the Most Beautiful Ape in the World.

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The Flying Housewife - Part 2 - UI Podcast #141

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Part 2 of this story discusses Richarda "Dikki" Morrow-Tait's trip from Alaska back to London in her 1938 effort to become the first woman to pilot an airplane around the world. Would she make it? Also learn about the world's largest building by volume, that it's legal to fly airplanes in Philadelphia on Sunday, a pilotless plane in Australia, and a submarine rodeo. Retrosponsor: TWA Airline.

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The Flying Housewife - Part 1 - UI Podcast #140

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 12:30:00 -0000

In 1938, Richarda "Dikki" Morrow-Tait set off from London in an attempt to become the first woman to pilot an airplane around the world. She encountered setback after setback. Would she make it? Part 1 of this story discusses her trip from London and eastward to Alaska. Also learn about the word circumnavigation record via commercial airlines, a 1912 prediction about the horseless age, an airplane golf match, and a man who stole a railroad in broad daylight. Retrosponsor: Halo Shampoo.

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The Fight for Hildy McCoy - UI Podcast #139

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:34:00 -0000

In 1951, Hildy McCoy was born out of wedlock and her mother put her up for adoption. When she later learned that the new parents were Jewish, a six year long legal battle for the custody of Hildy McCoy had begun. Also, learn about the PLU numbers on produce, a supposed dead man who needed to revive his wife, an early long-distance learning failure, and a mother who told her son that an armed robber was the TV repairman. Retrosponsor: Kolynos Toothpaste

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Titanic's Orphans - UI Podcast #138

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 18:24:00 -0000

After the Titanic sank, two brothers were orphaned after their dad perished. The search for a family member became an front page news worldwide.\\After the Titanic sank, two brothers became orphans after their dad perished. The search for a family member became an front page news worldwide. Also learn about the first non-mammal observed to experience, contagious yawning,

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Becoming a CPA with Morgan Simmons - UI Bonus Episode #6

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 21:34:00 -0000

In this special edition of the podcast, Chatham High School graduate Morgan Simmons interviews Sue Baer, president of the Baer Tax Group in Ghent, NY.

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The Zambian Space Program - UI Podcast #137

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 00:34:00 -0000

In 1964, the newly established country of Zambia announced that it planned to be the first nation to place a man on the moon. An excellent story about a forgotten chapter in space exploration history. Also, learn about the only US President who spoke English as a second language, a snitch who offered to help locate Denver, Colorado speakeasies, a woman who thought that she had outsmarted a robber, and photocopier thieves who came back for the copy paper. Retrosponsor: Tootsie Roll candy.

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The Child Bride - UI Podcast #136

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 06:54:00 -0000

Just how young is too young to marry? This episode takes a look at the 1937 marriage between 9-year-old Eunice Winstead and 22-year-old Charlie Johns. Also, learn about the purpose of glassmaker's soap, a couple married atop the original Ferris wheel, a time when kissing was barred on Bavarian trains, and a man who twice tried to commit suicide by throwing himself under the wheels of moving cars. Retrosponsor: Dr. I. Q. Candy Bar

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Game Design & Testing with Eddie Tice - UI Bonus Episode #5

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:13:00 -0000

In this special edition of the podcast, Chatham High School senior Eddie Tice interviews Senior QA Tester Trevor Farnsworth at Vicarious Visions, a game developer located in Albany, NY.

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Emperor of the Sahara (Part 2) - UI Podcast #135

Fri, 15 May 2020 00:11:00 -0000

In Part 2, we learn what happened to Jacques Lebaudy after his brief reign as an emperor came to an end. Let's just say that the story does not have a happy ending. Also, learn which country produces the most wool each year, mummified bones found in a home, a woman who was arrested for lying about her age while registering her automobiles, and two homes that were built on the wrong lots. Retrosponsor: Pine-scented Lysol.

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Emperor of the Sahara (Part 1) - UI Podcast #134

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 09:51:00 -0000

The crazy true story of a man who attempted to build an empire of his own in the Sahara. In Part 1, we look at Jacques Lebaudy's failed plan to create the empire and how the French military came to the rescue of Lebaudy's men. Also learn a bit about the history of Meals on Wheels and three different elixirs claimed to have been cures during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic. Retrosponsor: Pabst-ett cheese spread.

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A Nose for Fishing - UI Podcast #133

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 00:12:00 -0000

Sometimes a person can accomplish a great deal over the span of his or her lifetime but is forever defined by one thing that took just a brief moment while they were still young. Harry Morse was one of those men. Also learn about the first Beatles song banned by the BBC, someone who woke up beside a dead man, a wife whose first husband was found alive, and the Send-A-Dame chain letter. Retrosponsor: Feen-A-Mint Chewing Gum Laxative

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In the Blink of an Eye - UI Podcast #132

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 12:21:00 -0000

In 1925, the parents and sisters of 9-year-old Evelyn Castle were killed after their car collided with a train. What came next for Evelyn was totally unexpected. It's a story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Also learn about the origins of the term blockbuster, the theft of 55 right-footed shoes, a woman who refused to be fooled twice, and a New Jersey girl who thought she was about to spend one=week with the Beatles. Retrosponsor: Old Spice Aftershave.

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An Inside Job - UI Podcast #131

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 18:30:00 -0000

The incredible story of how James Rufus Landis stole $160,000 in $20 bills from the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing on New Year's Eve of 1953. Also learn about the first ATM machine, a cork leg that saved a man from suicide, an elephant that went for a ride on a monorail, and a life-size statue of St. Anthony found on a NYC subway platform. Retrosponsor: Ken-L Ration dog food.

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A Christmas Eve Kidnapping - UI Podcast #130

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:36:00 -0000

On Christmas Eve of 1937, a man in Centerville, Indiana kidnapped a young boy and his babysitter. Minutes later, the boy's mother and the local grocer were taken prisoner by a second thug. A shootout between the bandit and the boy's father then followed. Find out how it all played out by listening to this great story. Also learn about the first Christmas song broadcast from space, a limit of wine for the Sabbath, a mysterious gift dropped via a parachute, and a family who received a Christmas card from an unknown family annually for seventeen years. Retrosponsor: Campbell's Soup.

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Soul Searching - UI Podcast #129

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 00:49:00 -0000

When miner James Kidd died in 1949, no one could have imagined that it would take more than 21-years to settle his estate. That's because he had made a very unusual request in his will, one that would be nearly impossible to carry out. Also learn about the world's heaviest man, one man's amazing voyage to Mars, a will written on an eggshell, and another man who had distributed small amounts of money to 102 banks all around the world. Retrosponsor: The Spaghetti Store

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The Prick of Death - UI Podcast #128

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 23:17:00 -0000

In 1933, a young man was walking through a busy train station in India when he was pricked in the arm by a man walking in the opposite direction. He would soon be dead and the shocking truth as to how and who murdered him was revealed. Also, learn when the sale of color televisions exceeded those of black and white, a man who invented a polarizing material, a man sentenced to prison time for writing fiction, and a mysterious body that washed up on a Chicago shore. Retrosponsor: Minit-Rub

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The Case of the Doctor-Doctor Kidnapping - UI Podcast #127

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 00:12:00 -0000

In 1933, a medical doctor and a chiropractic doctor were found severely injured a short distance from one another. The two had never met before, but their lives had somehow violently crossed on that fateful day. Also, learn about artist Bob Ross' original canvases, a milk bottle shortage, men who were in the frigid water too long, and a bookstore that gave 50,000 books away for free. Retrosponsor: Old Dutch Cleanser

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The Transcontinental Taxi Ride - UI Podcast #126

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 19:29:00 -0000

An offbeat story from 1966 about a woman requested that a taxicab drive her all the way from Toledo, Ohio to San Francisco, CA. An airplane or train ride would have been both faster and cheaper, yet she insisted on the cab. Also learn how many different shows have been named The Betty White Show, cheap German suits that became available in Great Britain, a man who invented pasties for his wife, and a ban on spike heels in Mobile, Alabama. Retrosponsor: Wheatena Cereal

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The Snoring War - UI Podcast #125

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 22:38:00 -0000

A fun story from 1964 in which Brooklyn neighbors Sam Gutwirth and Sam Scheir ended up in court due to Scheir's loud snoring. Also learn about the first bike path in the United States, a building filled with popcorn that spontaneously popped, a woman who swallowed a mouse, and two girls who were trapped in a phone booth together. Retrosponsor: Freezone Corn Remover

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Flying Blind - UI Podcast #124

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 21:55:00 -0000

A fantastic story about a Navy pilot who was blinded during a bombing run over North Korea in 1952 and the attempt by another pilot to land him safely. Would he make it? Listen to find out. Also learn about the first network television show to have an episode broadcast in color, the first to successfully pilot an airplane across the Pacific, a man who accidentally landed his airplane on a moving car, and drivers who drove through a man's backyard as a shortcut to get to work. Retrosponsor: Dari-Rich Chocolate Flavored Drink

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The Many, Many Murders of Michael Malloy - UI Podcast #123

Sun, 19 May 2019 18:45:00 -0000

Live presentation of one of my favorite stories of all time. Back in 1933, more than thirty attempts were made on the life of a drunk named Michael Malloy. Sounds like fiction, but is totally true.

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1st Jewish Couple Married on TV (Part 2) - UI #122

Sun, 05 May 2019 21:08:00 -0000

Part 2 of my interview with cartoonist Leigh Rubin during which we discuss how he got into cartooning and went on to become a successful syndicated cartoonist.

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1st Jewish Couple Married on TV (Part 1) - UI #121

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:54:00 -0000

Natalie and Stan Rubin were the first Jewish couple ever married on national TV, but it almost never happened. Hear clips from the television show and an interview with their son "Rubes" cartoonist Leigh Rubin. Also learn about the first toilet ever flushed on-screen in a mainstream movie. Retrosponsor: Hudson Paper Napkins

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The Great Podcast Switcheroo!

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0000

It's April 1st and the Great Podcast Switcheroo is happening! It's where a number of podcasts have switched hosts for the day. Today we have an episode of the Historical Blindness podcast titled The Camden Wonder, which is one of the most unusual murder cases of all time. Well worth a listen!

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UI Bonus Episode #4 - An Incredible Life of Learning

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 18:19:00 -0000

Chatham High School student Van Oles interviews his grandfather, retired pharmacist Ronald McLean. It's the wonderful story of a man who started his career as a soda jerk in a pharmacy and ultimately made his way to be appointed as the Interim Dean at the Albany College of Pharmacy.

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UI #120 - The Coal Mountain Casanova

Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:50:00 -0000

Back in 1952, Jesse Garrett had recently divorced and was in search of a new wife. He seemed like a catch and thousands of women contacted him to let them know that they were interested. What seemed like a good idea at the time ended up financially ruining Jesse Garrett. Also learn about the first product name to be ruled generic, a man who failed to show up as scheduled for his wedding, a woman who slept with the wrong man, and a guy who drove motorscooter from Kentucky to Santiago, Chile to meet up with a girl. Retrosponsor: Coco-Wheats cereal

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UI Bonus Episode #3 - Interview with John Murphy

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:47:28 -0000

Part 2 of my interview with John Murphy. Here we discuss John's involvement with inventor Dean Kamen (of the Segway fame) and their work to establish the FIRST Robotics competition that now involves tens of thousands of students worldwide.

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UI #119 - A Punishment That Went Horribly Wrong

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:24:00 -0000

The parents of 21-year-old Linda Marie Ault were in a panic when their daughter didn't return home after attending a Friday night dance. They searched everywhere for her, but were unsuccessful. When Linda returned home the next morning, her parents were furious with what she had done and came up with a punishment that they thought would teach her a valuable lesson. Everything went horribly wrong. Also, learn about the first 9-1-1 call, a dog that had been choked by a piece of fishing line, a toothless dog accused of biting a man, and a dog that had his own charge account at the local grocery store. Retrosponsor: Noxzema

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UI Bonus Episode #2 - Salem Trade School Interview

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 23:18:02 -0000

Bonus episode is an interview with John Murphy. His dad was a member of the Salem Trade School, which was the subject of Useless Information Podcast #90 in January 2016.

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UI #118 - Christmas Time in Santa Heim

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 01:19:53 -0000

Fun story from the 1940's about a man named Harry H. Heim who converted a defunct mill town into the ultimate Christmas wonderland. Also, learn about the most performed Christmas song, a girl who became very ill after an older student told her that Santa Claus didn't exist, a person who mailed 50 empty Christmas envelopes, and what happened when Denny;s decided to close their restaurants for the first time ever on Christmas day. Retrosponsor: Coronet Magazine.

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UI #117 - The Adventure of a Lifetime

Sun, 02 Dec 2018 10:24:00 -0000

In 1957, three Chicago aluminum awning salesmen decided to quit their jobs and sail to Africa to join in on the lucrative illegal diamond trade. They were in for a wild ride, along with a very big surprise waiting for them at the end.

Also, learn about Thomas "Tough Tommy" Holden.

Three critical reviews of popular musical acts from the 1970's are featured: Carole King, The Carpenters, and an incredibly brutal review of the rock group Heart.

Retrosponsor: Fleischmann's Yeast

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UI #116 - The Walking Murphys

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 14:01:13 -0000

Long forgotten headline story about a family who lost everything in the Great Kansas flood of 1951. Yet, all was not as it seemed... Also learn about what a Lucy Stoner is, a man who used handcuffs to hitchhike, twins who were hitchhiking around the world, and a father and son who were reunited through hitchhiking. Retrosponsor: Mahdeen Shampoo.

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UI #115 - The Monster Crash at Crush

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 09:30:57 -0000

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, people around the United States gathered to watch two trains being smashed together. As a PR stunt, W.G. Crush organized one of these crashes for the Kay Railroad near West, Texas. More than 20,000 spectators were in the audience when it all went horribly wrong. Also learn about the first state to adopt Labor Day as an official holiday, a 6-year-old who purchased a lot of candy and toys, a railway clerk who had 70-lb package of ants sitting on his desk, and a fight for a parking spot in Kansas City. Retrosponsor: Chicago Motor Club

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UI #114 - Baby Moses

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:17:41 -0000

Pearl River, Louisiana resident Effie Crawford made the most startling discovery on November 11, 1936. Moving through the brush near her home she spotted a large dog carrying an unusual package in its mouth. She grabbed the bundle and opened it to find that it contained a newborn baby. Also learn the difference between a tree and a shrub, a town that hoarded shiny 1902 pennies, a man kept alive as friends pumped his arms up and down, and someone who took advantage of a motel that offered free TV. Retrosponsor: Gefilte Fish.

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UI #113 - Mile-A-Minute Murphy

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 10:26:00 -0000

The world's fastest bicyclist in the 1890's was Charles Minthorp Murphy and he was certain that there was no locomotive on Earth that could go faster than he could. To prove this, Murphy set a goal to ride one-mile in one-minute, a speed that few locomotives could achieve back then. It was the classic battle of man vs. machine. Also learn about the most popular song ever on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, a woman who gave birth twice in a taxi cab, the controversial first self-service gas stations, and a man who was convinced that he was being followed for miles. Retrosponsor: Mollé Shaving Cream

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UI #112 - A Journey to the Center of the Earth

Wed, 30 May 2018 20:30:00 -0000

John Cleves Symmes was a popular lecturer back in the 1820's. Not only did Symmes believe that Newton got the concept of gravity totally wrong, he proposed that the Earth had a hollow interior and that one could enter this subterranean world via large holes at each of our poles. Symmes attracted a large number of supporters and his planned voyage to the North Pole was, at one point, debated and voted on by Congress. Also learn about the groundbreaking publication that Sir Edmund Halley financed, a scientist who suggested that the two moons of Mars were artificial, the relationship between gout and intelligence, and that the best cure for the hiccups may be sticking a rubber tube up your nose. Retrosponsor: DuPont.

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UI #111 - Dick the Dog

Sun, 29 Apr 2018 10:30:00 -0000

Pennsylvania resident Jacob Silverman made national headlines back in 1922 for the crime of owning a dog named Dick within the commonwealth. The law at the time required that Dick be killed simply because he was owned by Jacob. Could something be done to save Dick's life? Also learn about the only movie on the Internet Database website not rated on a scale of 1 to 10, a London woman who fed wild rats, the first cow to fly in an airplane, and a man who had his life saved by a turtle. Retrosponsor: Snickers candy.

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Useless Information Podcast Bonus Episode #1

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 22:08:20 -0000

Bonus episode that includes an interview that I did back in 2014 with Lene Bech Sillesen and a recording of the NBC live news report when Pearl Harbor was bombed.

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UI #110 - Wife for Sale

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 23:07:00 -0000

In 1948, Dorothy Lawlor decided to take an ad out in the Newsday newspaper seeking a husband in exchange for $10,000. Within twenty-four hours she became a media sensation. Did she really marry one of these men? The answer may surprise you. Includes an interview with her granddaughter. Also learn the original color of Muppet Oscar the Grouch, a 74-year-old man who advertised for his third wife, a woman who sought a husband to help pay off her debts, and a stenographer who lost her job after placing a personal ad in the newspaper. Retrosponsor: Canada Dry Club Water.

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UI #109 - The Case of the Phantom Vegetable Oil

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 22:27:40 -0000

In the late 1950's and early 1960's, Anthony "Tino" De Angelis ran a global salad oil empire. Find out how Tino grew his business so quickly, his shocking downfall, how JFK’s assassination ties into the story, and the way that one of the world's richest men today made a good chunk of change off of everyone else’s misfortune. Also learn about the original name for the game Twister, a doctor or strongly discouraged excessive exercisem a glue sniffing fad, and people that consumed lemon-scented dish soap. Retrosponsor: Title Insurance and Trust Co.

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UI #108 - The Man Who Gave Away His Birthday

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 18:06:00 -0000

When author Robert Louis Stevenson learned that young Vermont native Annie Ide hated her Christmas birthday, he decided to deed his own birthday to her. Listen to this episode to learn how she celebrated her new birthday and what happened after she died. Also learn about when the first Christmas card was printed, a man who got a living doll for Christmas, a boy who tried to emulate Santa, and a recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Retrosponsor: Hallmark Cards

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UI #107 - The First Transatlantic Airplane Race

Fri, 24 Nov 2017 12:24:00 -0000

In May of 1929, Old Orchard Beach in Maine was the site for an airplane race that pitted the smaller, more nimble American Green Flash against larger, more powerful French Yellow Bird. Anticipation mounted for weeks as the two planes attempted to get off the ground. Also, learn about the world's first airline, a man who clung to the fuselage of an airplane, a man sucked into a jet engine, and an astronaut impersonator. Retrosponsor: Northwest Orient Airlines

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UI #106 - Elixir of Death

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 20:14:00 -0000

When the S.E. Massengill Co. introduced its Elixir Sulfanilamide to the market in September 1937, there was no law in the United States requiring pharmaceutical companies to test their medicines for toxicity. In just the short time that this elixir produced, it took the lives of more than 100 people, many of whom were young children. Also learn about the world's most popular medicine, how the next generation of children were predicted to have teeth like Bugs Bunny, a woman who won a TV contest to get her nose fixed, and the relationship between breast size and intelligence. Retrosponsor: Massengill Medicated Disposable Douche.

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UI #105 - Le Mars Trilogy: Part 3 - Maybelle Trow Knox

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 23:48:00 -0000

During desperate times some people are forced to do desperate things. The trick is to not get caught. Let's just say that Maybelle Trow Knox was not very good at that last part. Also learn the real name of Scooby Doo's best friend Shaggy, how Scooby Doo got his name, a teacher who used an electric chair to punish students, a girl too afraid to show her report card, and a boy who placed his loose tooth in his ear. Retrosponsor: Arrid deodorant.

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UI #104 - Le Mars Trilogy: Part 2 - Farmers in Revolt

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 19:16:00 -0000

The Great Depression was an awful time for farmers in Iowa. It culminated with the near hanging of a judge in Le Mars. It just happens that the farm involved was owned by the T.M. Zink estate, the same man who left his savings for the establishment of a womanless library. Also learn about the only planet in our solar system where its day is longer that its year and three unusual stories involving marriage annulment. Retrosponsor: Spry Vegetable Shortening

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UI #103 - Le Mars Trilogy: Part 1 - T.M. Zink's Library

Sat, 10 Jun 2017 21:39:00 -0000

The first of a 3-part series on Le Mars, Iowa from the 1930's. Le Mars was thrust into the national spotlight by the actions of just one man: a successful lawyer named T.M. Zink, who left nearly his entire estate for the establishment of a very unusual library. Listen to this podcast to determine whether Zink was truly mad or simply playing a good practical joke on the world. Also learn about a man who pushed a heavy cart many mile off course, an artist's model fired for his Van Dyke beard, a waiter who poisoned his customers, and the original title of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Retrosponsor: Vicks VapoRub.

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UI #102 - Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

Sat, 06 May 2017 20:10:00 -0000

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was one of the first female doctors in the United States and is the only woman to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, until the government rescinded her award. Also learn about a woman who accidentally served her husband dog food for breakfast, three children found locked in a tool box, who CBS wanted to replace Rod Serling on the Twilight Zone with plus the title that ABC wished to rename the show. Retrosponsor: Ingram's Shaving Cream

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UI #101 - Where There's a Wilby, There's a Way

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 09:14:00 -0000

Between 1942 and 1943 Ralph Marshall Wilby appeared to pull off what appeared to be the perfect crime. An incredible story that has many elements of an international thriller: deception, false identities, international kidnapping, and the drop dead gorgeous woman who brought his capture.

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UI #100 - A Miracle Birth in Mexico

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 23:24:00 -0000

On March 5, 2000, Ines Ramirez Perez went into labor but was unable to get any medical care to help with the delivery. In a panic, Ines concluded that she had no other option than to deliver the baby herself. She used an ordinary kitchen knife to perform a cesarean on herself. Find out what happened afterward and stories of other self-cesareans. Also, learn about a toy made from Zectron, a man who had the ultimate solution for a sore throat, a doctor who removed his own appendix, and another man who washed his intestines under the kitchen faucet. Retrosponsor: Hind's Honey and Almond Cream.

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UI #99 - Millionaire for a Day

Sat, 26 Nov 2016 00:18:00 -0000

Back in 1911, Wilkes-Barre, PA resident John Jay "Butch" McDevitt won the Democratic Primary for county treasurer. The only problem was that the Democratic Committee didn't want McDevitt on the ballot. Listen to this story to find out how the party got rid of him and how he capitalized on this for the rest of his life. Also, learn about three animals involved in politics and the first time that the red & blue electoral map was used on network television. Retrosponsor: Gracie Allen for President.

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UI #98 - The Trick-or-Treat Dentist

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 23:40:00 -0000

The Halloween episode. Learn about a reputable California dentist named William Shyne who supposedly gave the children of his neighborhood lollipops and laxative pills for Halloween. Also, learn about a woman arrested for dressing like a man, a man who was arrested after purchasing Halloween candy for his wife, the day Princess Margaret was caught smoking a cigarette, and the best-selling Halloween candy in the United States. Retrosponsor: Rogers Bros. Plated Silverware

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UI #97 - Silent Susan

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 22:11:00 -0000

On October 6, 1946 a young woman was arrested in Palisades Park, NJ for refusing to provide a police officer with her name. She had been cooperative in every way but refused to provide that single piece of information. Her story soon became front page news nationwide. Also learn about discontinued Monopoly game tokens, the Hear-See recording system, the introduction of the Radarange, and what was to be called the "Tape Age." Retrosponsor: The American Weekly magazine.

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UI #96 - The Ice Cream Wars

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 21:29:00 -0000

The everything ice cream episode! Learn about an ongoing war between ice cream vendors, which included bombings, gunfire, torching of trucks, and threats. Also, learn about a ban on using glue in ice cream, a pharmacy robbery where one of the bandits served ice cream, and a woman who set up a $20,000 ice cream trust fund. Retrosponsor: Sealtest Ice Cream

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UI #95 - The Yonkers Anti-Shorts Law

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 18:35:00 -0000

Back in 1935, Yonkers, NY made international news for arresting five NYC women who wore shorts and bandana halters. At one point, the Yonkers' aldermen proposed the building of a fence around the entire Tibbetts Brook Park to keep the undesirable people out. Also, learn about one man's attempt to shut down a nudist colony, two men forced to hike nude for many miles, a topless cellist, and the only company still on the Dow Jones Industrial Average that was on the original list. Retrosponsor: Manischewitz Matzo.

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UI #94 - The Brassiere Brigade

Mon, 30 May 2016 12:05:00 -0000

In September of 1950, a young woman contacted Miami police to let them know that someone had stolen money from her, money that she had helped to steal from Southern Bell originally. This led to the discovery of a highly unusual theft ring. Also, learn about a boy that was sentenced to three years for stealing a single penny, crooks that stole the wrong box, a man who specialized in stealing cash from pay phones, and which season has the most number of days. Retrosponsor: Remington-Rand Business Machines

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UI #93 - The Ugliest Thing the President Ever Saw

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 18:33:00 -0000

President Lyndon Johnson was never one to hold back his words, whether they be good or bad. Listen to this episode to learn what he felt was the ugliest thing that he had ever seen. Also, learn about the original 3 Musketeers Candy Bar, a man who turned blue, a woman offended by a new red, white, & blue girdle, and aluminum swimwear. Retrosponsor: MGM Studios/The Wizard of Oz.

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UI #92 - A Dog Day in Court

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 22:36:00 -0000

The drowning of Brockport, NY resident Maxwell Breeze in the Erie Canal back in 1936 was the basis for one of the most unusual death penalty cases ever. Find out who was placed on trial, the decision handed down by the court, and what happened to the accused murderer in the end. Also, learn which Beatles' song is the second most covered of all time, a headless rooster named Lazarus, how a family went ape over a monkey up a tree in their backyard, and the death leap of over 1,000 sheep. Retrosponsor: Campana Italian Balm

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UI #91 - Unfit to Teach

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 21:04:00 -0000

In the past, teachers could be fired some of the craziest reasons such as wearing turtleneck sweaters, pantsuits, not going to church, or smoking a cigarette at home. Check out this story to learn about one of the more unusual ways a teacher could be denied a teaching license. Also learn who was the first person on the cover of TV Guide, a teacher fired for being too pretty, others fired for having children, and yet another for refusing to sign a loyalty oath. Retrosponsor: Milk-Bone dog biscuits.

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UI #90 - The Salem Trade School

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 23:06:00 -0000

The Salem Trade School was the worst high school football team in the Boston region back in the 1920's. Any team that played against them was almost guaranteed to win. The Salem Trade team had a big secret and they somehow managed to keep it under wraps for six years. Also learn about the history of peanut butter, the origin of tighty-whiteys, reporters who hated Elvis Presley, reporters who equally hated The Beatles, and a death threat against the Bee Gees. Retrosponsor: Peter Pan Peanut Butter (with Mike Wallace as announcer!)

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UI #89 - The Singing Mouse

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:34:00 -0000

The comical true story of an ordinary house mouse that could sing. Next came a one-year contract with NBC radio and an international contest to find the world's best singing mouse. Also learn about the man who invented Christmas lights, a boy who received a new leg for Christmas, another boy that traded his prized Christmas gift for a mouse, and woman who saved Christmas for a California family. Retrosponsor: Elgin watches.

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UI #88 - The Last Man on Earth

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:51:00 -0000

Did you ever wonder what would happen if you ended up being the last person alive on Earth? Back in 1960, the San Francisco Chronicle decided to send their hunting and fishing columnist Bud Boyd up into the Marble Mountains of California for six weeks to find out if one could really survive. Let's just say that everything did not go as planned... Also learn about Reynold B. Johnson's first big invention, a poison ivy lawsuit, a girl who believed that she caused a boy's death, and a dangerous tricycle driver. Retrosponsor: Delrich E-Z Color Margarine.

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UI #87 - The Rescue of Charles Nalle

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 20:38:00 -0000

When escaped slave Charles Nalle was arrested in Troy, NY on April 27, 1860, no one could have anticipated what happened next. With the help of Harriet Tubman, Nalle is believed to have been the only person in United States history to have been rescued from slavery four times. Also learn about when the first hard disk drive was invented, a woman killed by her lipstick, a guy forced to pay alimony for thirty years to a woman who wouldn't divorce him, and a guy who faked his own death. Retrosponsor: Birdseye Frozen Spinach.

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UI #86 - The Monk and his Hypnotist

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 00:02:00 -0000

Crazy story about an elderly monk and his wife who decided to adopt their 63-year-old doctor. The doctor was then arrested for supposedly murdering his new mother. Also learn about the first two electric toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, a plea from the US government for spyglasses, the discovery of long-forgotten wine cellars, and a man who liked to hear glass tinkle. Retrosponsor: ExLax.

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UI #85 - Cinderella Girl

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:45:00 -0000

Just what happens when you write to the President of the United States to let him know that you have the same birthday as him? A 13-year-old girl named Anna Sklepovich did just that and the results did not turn out as she had planned. Also learn about a set of twins that shared a driver's license, a young girl's large inheritance, and thieves that tried to open the wrong safe. Retrosponsor: Anacin.

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UI #84 - The Honest Man with an Evil Eye

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 18:31:00 -0000

Back in 1935 a man carrying a sandwich-board sign stumbles across the find of a lifetime: A wallet containing the stocks certificates from Philips Petroleum, GE, and DuPont. Find out what the press said that he did with the certificates, what really happened, and how he killed a man simply by staring at him. Also, learn about a very long chess match, a baseball-playing porpoise, and the mule that causes three car accidents. Retrosponsor: Wheatena

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UI #83 - Michigan's Flying Bandit

Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:25:00 -0000

Back in 1928, Clarence Frechette made national news for a bizarre attack that he made on the pilot of an airplane that he was aboard, possibly making him the world's first hijacker. Amazingly, he was back in the news in 1935 for an equally bizarre crime. Also learn about a guy that cut off his mother-in-law's nose, a woman who sought alimony from the wrong man, and a group of students that never intended to rob a bank. Retrosponsor: Adler Elevator Shoes.

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UI #82 - That's the Ticket

Sat, 09 May 2015 14:04:00 -0000

Back in 1955, Evert Stenmark was out hunting alone for ptarmigan when he became buried by an avalanche. Day after day he remained trapped under the snow. Learn how he survived and the one thing that he had in his wallet that probably saved his life. Also hear the story of a man that suffered the bites from three different animals in the same day, a man that gave up his right arm for his daughter's health, and a woman that called off her wedding partly due to a horse named Wedding Expenses. Retrosponsor: Crisco Shortening

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UI #81 - The Shoeless Hillbilly

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:31:00 -0000

When Peter Grainger walked into a US Army recruiting center in San Antonio, Texas back in 1951, he had quite the story to tell. He had spent nearly his entire life living high in the mountains of New Mexico with virtually no contact with the outside world. But was there more to this story than what he was telling them? Also learn about a man with the worst luck ever, a man who hopped the wrong train home, and mysterious movement on the moon. Retrosponsor: Bab-O Cleanser.

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UI #80 - Murder in the Mail

Fri, 06 Mar 2015 23:59:00 -0000

On an October day back in 1941, John Kmetz received a trial supply of herbal pills that would supposedly restore vitality to his 54-year-old body. Shortly after taking the pills, Kmetz was dead. Learn about the man suspected of the crime, another bizarre event that occurred prior to the murder, and his ultimate fate. Also hear about a singer that kissed one too many women, a man who glued pennies to his desk, and car paint colors that lure beetles. Retrosponsor: Trident gum.

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UI #79 - The Great Venus Swindle

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:47:00 -0000

In 1953 Harold Jesse Berney, head of a Washington, DC television antenna manufacturing operation, was chosen by the US government to be its main contact with Uccelles, a prince visiting our planet from Venus. If that sounds a bit bizarre, listen to this story to learn about one of the most fantastic swindles ever conceived. Also learn about a man who was shot three times and suffered no injuries, the day the circus never came to town, and a truck that could no longer fit through the same garage by which it had entered. Retrosponsor: Eversharp Schick Injector Razors

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The Bowery's Santa - UI Podcast #078

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 22:53:00 -0000

The Christmas episode! Learn about a man named Joe Bonavita who returned to the Bowery in New York City every year to celebrate Christmas with those less fortunate.

Also, hear three shorter true stories about Santa getting into a bit of hot water. Plus, do you know the first really big hit song to contain Jesus in its lyrics? Listen to find out the answer.

Retrosponsor: Toni Home Permanent

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/joseph-bonavita-the-bowerys-santa/

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UI #77 - The Woman with the X-Ray Camera

Sat, 29 Nov 2014 23:15:00 -0000

One of the most bizarre stories ever presented on this podcast. The nearly unbelievable true story about a woman hired to investigate another woman suspected in a jewel heist. Also learn about two woman who thought that they were married to the same dying man, the surprising return of a man's coat years after he gave it away, and a woman who knitted a sweater for the troops during World War I. Retrosponsor: Vitalis Hair Tonic.

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UI #76 - A Life Forgotten

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 00:09:00 -0000

Did you ever wonder what would happen if you completely lost your memory? In this true story, a man went nearly twenty years without remembering a single detail about his life. Also learn why the US Postal Service had been purchasing large quantities of cat food, a bank robbery gone totally wrong, and why ice cream cones were once illegal in Washington, DC. Retrosponsor: Hopper's White Clay Pack

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The Citicorp Tower Revisited - UI Podcast #075

Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:42:00 -0000

When New York City’s Citicorp Tower opened in 1977, it was hailed as an architectural marvel—but few knew it harbored a potentially fatal flaw. A simple phone call from a college student in New Jersey to the tower’s structural engineer may have prevented a catastrophic disaster and saved tens of thousands of lives. This episode features an interview with Lee DeCarolis, the student who made that life-saving call. Also, learn about a man who desired a woman who could cook applesauce, a couple that had six sets of twins, and a teacher who dared to go tieless.

Retrosponsor: Drene Shampoo

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-citicorp-tower-revisited-podcast-75/

You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms:

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UI #74 - Arrest the Parents

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:31:00 -0000

Should parents be held responsible for the crimes that their children commit? Listen to this story from 1947 detailing just what happened when New York City tried to do just that. Also learn about the countries that drink the most coffee, a ring-turning fad, sun lamp parties, and tattooed pantyhose. Retrosponsor: Fram Oil Filters

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UI #73 - The Canary Funeral

Sat, 24 May 2014 19:28:00 -0000

Back in 1920, Newark, NJ was host to one of the most bizarre funerals ever. An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets to witness the funeral procession of Jimmie the singing canary. Also learn the name of the dog on Cracker Jack packaging, a snake that milked a cow, a raccoon that saved its owners' lives, and how a pack of dogs interfered with a sheep study. Retrosponsor: Hartz Mountain Pet Products.

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UI #72 - The Fever Girl

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 00:43:00 -0000

Fun story from 1923. Newspapers around the United States reported daily on the health of the Fever Girl - a woman with the highest temperature ever recorded to that date. Would she live or die? Listen to this episode to find out all of the details. Also learn about the current high-fever record holder plus three tidbits about teachers. Retrosponsor: Velveeta.

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UI #71 - Baltimore's Buried Treasure

Sat, 15 Mar 2014 23:19:00 -0000

You may have heard about the Californian couple that found five cans of gold coins on their property. Two Baltimore boys made a similar discovery back in 1934, but this pot of gold proved to be anything but lucky. Also learn about people that were paid to wake others up before alarm clocks, four daughters that could never marry, a lawsuit against Jackie Robinson, and an incident involving a minibike and a dog. Retrosponsor: Tums Antacid

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UI #70 - Busman's Holiday

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 00:59:00 -0000

Have you ever just had enough of your job and wanted to walk away from it? Bus driver William Cimillo found himself in this position back in 1947 and his unique solution made him an instant celebrity. Also learn how many men have ever walked on the moon and three different stories related to tsunamis. Retrosponsor: Rio Grande Cracked Gasoline

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Tunnel Joe Holmes - UI Podcast #069

Sat, 04 Jan 2014 23:26:00 -0000

Joseph Ellsworth Holmes was a career criminal serving a twenty-year sentence for being the "dinner-time burglar." His great escape in 1951 elevated him to celebrity status overnight.

Also, learn about the origin of Pepsodent toothpaste, a man who waited 36 years to be reunited with his wife, a dying Navy officer's wish fulfilled after eighteen years, and a pastor who earned his medical degree after 45 years of part-time study.

Retrosponsor: Pepsodent Toothpaste

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/tunnel-joe-holmes/

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The Blaze Incident - UI Podcast #068

Sun, 01 Dec 2013 22:38:00 -0000

A long-forgotten front page story from January of 1945 that involved the US military, the White House, a Hollywood actress, and one big dog.

Also, learn the full name of FDR's famous Scottie Fala, a man who was sucked out of his boots by a jet engine, a family that opted to do some gold mining in their home, and a woman who survived a half-mile fall without a parachute.

Retrosponsor: Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-blaze-incident/

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Mr. Moneybags - UI Podcast #067

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:05:00 -0000

Alexander Ector Orr Munsell was an incredibly wealthy man during the Great Depression. He seemed to have it all until he suddenly gave it all away to live among the poor in a flophouse. Find out why he chose to do so and what happened after that.

Also, learn about Pantone colors, as well as three different people who used the wrong ingredients while cooking, resulting in the deaths of their loved ones.

Retrosponsor: Horlick's Malted Milk.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/munsell-mr-moneybags/

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The Baby is in the Mail - UI Podcast #066

Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:49:00 -0000

It's absolutely true! When the United States started Parcel Post service in 1913, both babies and small children were mailed. Listen to this story to learn why it was done and how it ended.

Also, learn about the first unsigned band to appear on Saturday Night Live, a new father who couldn't find the hospital door, a bizarre case of supposed illegal search and seizure, as well as the mother-in-law who didn't know how to drive.

Retrosponsor: Penn-Daw Motor Hotel.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/152/

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The Short Life of Suzy Dewey - UI Podcast #065

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 22:22:00 -0000

A story of compassion and generosity as young Suzy Dewey navigated the final months of her life.

Also, find out about the first athlete to ever appear on the front of a Wheaties cereal box, two brothers who split the driving responsibilities, a blind man who wanted to know what it was like to drive, and the 128 blind men in Kansas that once held driver's licenses.

Retrosponsor: Wheaties.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-short-life-of-suzy-dewey/

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Operation Bodysnatch - UI Podcast #064

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 22:19:00 -0000

At the end of World War II, the United States was faced with the task of reburying four bodies of former German nobility. The three men assigned to the task ran in obstacle after obstacle.

Also, learn about Cap'n Crunch's full name, a dentist who would let you extract his tooth, male chest "tapestries", and a ban on padded bras.

Retrosponsor: Faultless Starch

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/operation-bodysnatch/

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Attack of the 50-Foot Garden Hose - UI #063

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 00:26:00 -0000

Some mysterious force was bringing garden hoses all over the United States to life back in 1955. Find out what the hoses did and how one owner named George Di Peso finally put an end to all of the madness.

Also, learn the original name of the Wheel of Fortune game show, how elephants helped clear traffic in Berlin, where some missing hogs were hiding, and how a tortoise lost during World War II was ultimately found.

Retrosponsor: Aero-Wax

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/attack-of-the-50-foot-garden-hose/

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The Ghost of Guam - UI Podcast #062

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:34:00 -0000

The true story of a US Navy radioman who was hunted by the Japanese during World War II.

Also, learn the name of Wrigley's first chewing gum, how XYZ pays his taxes, a woman who was indirectly shot by a porcupine, and a woman who mowed her lawn in a 2-piece bathing suit.

Retrosponsor: Wrigley's Spearmint Gum.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/george-tweed-the-ghost-of-guam/

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The Pleasant Hill School Bus Tragedy - UI Podcast #061

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:39:00 -0000

The heart-wrenching tale of the Pleasant Hill School Bus Tragedy, in which a freak snowstorm and a series of unfortunate decisions led to the tragic deaths of five children and their bus driver in 1931.

Also learn about the world's second richest charity, topless male swimming, capturing an island, and the blood-sucking boarder.

Retrosponsor: Ovaltine

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-pleasant-hill-school-bus-tragedy/

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Ivory Soap Murders - UI Podcast #060

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:17:00 -0000

The Easter Sunday 1937 murders of Veronica Gedeon, her mom Mary, and Frank Byrnes in NYC launched an intense nationwide hunt for the killer. There were few clues to go on, but two bars of soap provided police with the conclusive evidence that they needed.

Also learn about the first product to bear the Duncan Hines name, a phone sicko that scared parents, a death from Smokey the Bear, and women who were tricked into removing their hair. Retrosponsor: Mother's Best Flour.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/robert-irwin-ivory-soap-murders/

You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast

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The Sky is Falling - UI Podcast #059

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:59:00 -0000

Alvin Rodecker and his wife chose to celebrate his 60th birthday in style. It was to be an incredible, memorable trip to New York City. If only he had looked up after upon leaving a ritzy restaurant...

Also learn the name of the first commercially available windshield wipers, the death of Bonzo the chimpanzee, the kidnapping of Itsy the poodle, and another poodle that took a drive in his owner's car.

Retrosponsor: Prell shampoo.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/alvin-rodecker-the-sky-is-falling/

You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast

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Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FlipSideofHistory/

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Dead Ringers - UI Podcast #058

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:40:00 -0000

Akron, Ohio citizen Larry Bader and Omaha, Nebraska sportscaster Fritz Johnson were complete opposites of one other. Yet, the two men looked like they could have been twins. Find out what happened when one was thought to be the other.

Also, learn about Robert Recorde's contribution to mathematics, a girl shot dead by a military gunner, boys who found gold in the sewer, and the guy who thought his house was stolen.

Retrosponsor: ENNDS Chlorophyll Tablets.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/larry-bader-dead-ringers/

You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast

X (Twitter): https://t.co/7pV2H8iXJV

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FlipSideofHistory/

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The Sikorsky Sweater Girls - UI Podcast #057

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 05:00:00 -0000

Back in 1943, 53 women were fired by Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft for wearing sweaters to work. Listen to this story to discover the details and how it was ultimately resolved.

Also, learn about the first native Australian act to have a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, the man who kissed his wife, the holiday wedding that completed a family circle, and a couple that married twenty years after they were first engaged.

Retrosponsor: Jello Gelatin

Audio, transcript, and images can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/sikorsky-sweater-girls/

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Apple Annie - UI Podcast #056

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 05:00:00 -0000

The long-forgotten story of a poor woman named Helen McCarthy who lived a fairytale life for 24 hours. Was she able to live happily ever after?

Also, find out about the first transuranium element created, two brothers who were reunited after seventeen years, an Elvis Presley sideburn ultimatum, and a color-changing baby.

Retrosponsor: Charles Schwartz & Sons.

Audio, transcript, and images can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/helen-mccarthy-apple-annie/

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Will the Real Dr. Brown Please Stand Up? - UI Podcast #055

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:00:00 -0000

The amazing true story of a small-town doctor who was loved by all. When he was arrested for committing a crime that could have endangered fellow community members, they didn't abandon their faith in him.

Also, learn about the origin of the famous N-Y logo of the New York Yankees, a 10-year-old girl who sued a 14-year-old boy, the little girl who purchased seven pedigree puppies for her friends, and the boy who had his babysitter arrested.

Retrosponsor: Cashmere Bouquet Talcum Powder

Audio, transcript, and images can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/freddie_brandt_dr_brown/

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The Case of the Misplaced Belly Button - UI Podcast #054

Sun, 27 May 2012 05:00:00 -0000

Virginia O'Hare underwent tummy tuck surgery and then sued her doctor for $1.5 million. Why? Because her belly button was supposedly 2" (5.1 cm) off-center.

Also, learn about the first compact disc ever available for sale to the public, the discovery of an Acme bank robbery kit, John Lennon discussing how fame is fleeting, and a man that carved his false teeth from billiard balls and used wood screws for the molars.

Retrosponsor: Alka Setzer

Audio, transcript & images can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/virginia-ohare-misplaced-belly-button/

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The Patron Saint of the Vocally Challenged - UI Podcast #053

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:00:00 -0000

Florence Foster Jenkins is considered to be the forerunner of today’s talentless celebrities. Her operatic recordings are considered among the worst of all time. Yet, she managed to do something that even some of the best can’t do: she sold out Carnegie Hall.

Also, learn about Maxie & Maxine, the day that Lucky's luck ran out, the coed that crashed an all-male smoker, and the third-largest producer of carbon dioxide.

Retrosponsor: Cream of Wheat cereal.

Transcript, audio, and images can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/florence-foster-jenkins-vocally-challenged/

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Jack the Stripper - UI Podcast #052

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00:00 -0000

An odd true story about a San Diego robber dubbed "Jack the Stripper" by the press in the early 1960s. Listen to this episode to learn about his unusual modus operandi.

Also, learn about the fine levied on NASA when Skylab fell back to Earth, the guy who forgot his wife at the filling station, an absent-minded barber, and the $40,000 cab ride.

Retrosponsor: U.S. Savings Bonds.

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Tinker the Toad - UI Podcast #051

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0000

A toad is found alive beneath a concrete floor poured 9 years earlier. Find out if and how Tinker survived this long entombment.

Also learn about the best-selling coffee in the United States, a judge named Valentine that divorced the Valentines on Valentine's Day, Hedda Hopper's stinky Valentine's Day gift, and a Valentine that was just a hunk of slate sent through the mail.

Retrosponsor: Maxwell House coffee.

Audio and Transcript: https://uselessinformation.org/tinker-the-toad/

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The Corpse Bride - UI Podcast #050

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0000

The bizarre true story of Count Karl von Cosel and the girl of his dreams. It was discovered that they slept together in the same bed every night - nine years after she had died.

Also learn about the first millionaire in the United States, the Thanksgiving soda ash mess, the lollipop fight, and the Boston Tar Party.

Retrosponsor: Signal Gasoline.

Audio, transcript, and photos: https://uselessinformation.org/karl-von-cosel-corpse-bride/

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Midnapore's Wolf Children - UI Podcast #049

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0000

The story of Amala and Kamala, two girls in India who were supposedly raised by wolves. Find out the facts of this unusual story.

Also learn the original name of the Hawaii 5-O television series, as well as the details of a singing telegram in a courtroom, a man who had no clue that he had stolen a car, and a husband who wished to be arrested to get away from his nagging wife.

Retrosponsor: Owl Rexall Drugs.

Audio, transcript, and images: https://uselessinformation.org/midnapores-wolf-children-podcast-49/

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The Double Life of Clarence King - UI Podcast #048

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:00:00 -0000

The first director of the US Geological Survey, Clarence King, was a famed scientist, explorer, and author. This allowed him to move among the elite of American society in the late 19th century. Yet, few people knew that he spent the last thirteen years leading a secret double life.

Also learn what Martin Cooper was the first person to ever do, a New Zealand explosion hoax, a man killed by his false teeth, and Thomas Blod's silent concert.

Retrosponsor: Fletcher's Castoria.

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The French Nobleman - UI Podcast #047

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 05:00:00 -0000

The death of an elderly man in Chicago in 1941 went initially unnoticed. Then it was learned that he was a French nobleman who gave it all away for the chance to love the woman of his dreams. Find out if he ever got the girl...

Also learn about the only man ever to be the governor of two different US states, Adolph Hitler being drafted, a bug juice mystery, and a good use for rubber finger sheaths.

Retrosponsor: Sinatra singing for Kennedy. (High Hopes with modified lyrics.)

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Grady the Cow - UI Podcast #046

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:00:00 -0000

After giving birth to a stillborn, Grady the Cow bolted from sight. But there was nowhere for her to go in the small room that she was in. It was then that her owner realized she had somehow gotten her large body through the tiny door to the concrete silo. Tips poured in from all over the world suggesting ways to get her out of there. Find out how they did it.

Also learn how many years the oldest cow lived for, a man who advertised for a homely wife, two mineralogists who came up with a unique way to meet women, and a husband who was forced to return his mail-order bride home.

Retrosponsor: Anchor Hocking Glass.

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The Fly Paper Murderess - UI Podcast #045

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:00:00 -0000

Six men died in a Chicago woman's home over three years. Further investigation showed that 47-year-old Margaret Summers had been married six times and all were dead. She had taken out nineteen life insurance policies, all naming her as the sole beneficiary. Summers claimed innocence, but the police thought otherwise.

Also, find out when the first permanent photograph was taken and three different stories of lost cyanide.

Retrosponsor: Tintex fabric dye.

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The Man Buried Alive - UI Podcast #044

Wed, 04 May 2011 05:00:00 -0000

Jack Loreen emerged from his subterranean slumber on August 21, 1933, having endured 64 days confined to a coffin. Little did he know, this was merely the kickoff to an eccentric contest of endurance, with participants vying to outlast each other buried underground.

Also, find out which breakfast cereal is the most popular, where a New Jersey woman found her stolen watch, why Brownie the cow was not producing enough milk, and the unique way a hit-and-run driver was caught.

Retrosponsor: Fleischmann's Fresh Yeast.

https://uselessinformation.org/the-man-buried-alive-podcast-44/

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Lyndon Johnson's Camel Driver - UI Podcast #043

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 05:00:00 -0000

On May 20, 1961, then-US Vice President Lyndon Johnson was on a goodwill tour of Asia. While pressing the flesh in Karachi, Pakistan, Johnson had a casual conversation with a camel driver named Bashir Ahmad. The next thing you know, Bashir was on his way to the United States in the feel-good news story of 1961.

Also, find out what everyday product Hyman Lipman invented, the Florida councilman frightened by a snake, the New York Aquarium's April Fool problem, and Smell-o-vision.

Retrosponsor: Squibb Dental Creme.

https://uselessinformation.org/lyndon-johnsons-camel-driver-podcast-43/

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Noach Goldberg's Wooden Leg - UI Podcast #042

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 05:00:00 -0000

Frank Laiken skipped town to avoid paying alimony in 1928 and was never seen again. His ex-wife Rose learned of a man named Noach (Noah) Goldberg who had died in Vienna. She was certain that Noah was her husband's alias. His wooden leg was all that was needed to make the connection.

Also, learn which Crayola crayon color was changed in 1962, a fake mutiny, the drunken elephant rampage, and a sad death by a falling flower pot.

Retrosponsor: Hallmark Greeting Cards.

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Conrad Cantzen's Shoes - UI Podcast #041

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 06:00:00 -0000

Conrad Cantzen died in 1945 and is long forgotten, but his shoe fund still lives on. Listen to the story of this bizarre provision in this down-on-his-luck actor's handwritten will.

Also, learn which celebrity has earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in all five of its categories, the US Postal Service's 1908 Valentine problem, Andrew de Stefano's surprise telegram, and pretty Patsy Puckett's Jaguar mystery.

Retrosponsor: Colgate Tooth Powder.

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Coney Island's Baby Incubators - UI Podcast #040

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:00:00 -0000

A premature baby born before the 1940s had little chance of survival unless the baby was lucky enough to be part of a popular sideshow exhibit at Coney Island.

Also, learn how the real Jack Daniel died, a man fined one cent for shooting a cow, a color-changing necktie, and a flea map of the United Kingdom that was nearly 60 years in the making.

Retrosponsor: Camel Cigarettes.

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Samuel Resnick Buys His Own Murder - UI Podcast #039

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 06:00:00 -0000

Albany jeweler Samuel Resnick retired to Phoenix, Arizona, but something went wrong. He ended up paying to have himself murdered. Check out this episode to learn all the details of this oddball story.

Also, learn the original purpose of Formica brand plastic laminate, who owns the air above your head, the details of a costly Halloween egg toss, and a boy who had a seed sprout in his eye.

Retrosponsor: Philco Radio Tubes.

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The Cardiff Giant - UI Podcast #038

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:00:00 -0000

The 1869 discovery of this fossilized giant provided the first definitive proof that giants once did inhabit the Earth. Listen to find out the real facts in the story.

Also, find out which serial killer the Texas House of Representatives honored, a storage building destroyed by popping corn, a Denver woman who swallowed a mouse, and burglars who robbed an anchorman's house.

Retrosponsor: Shell Gasoline.

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The 34-Year Nightmare - UI Podcast #037

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:00:00 -0000

Stephen Dennison was sent to prison for stealing $5.00 worth of chocolates back in 1926. He never committed another crime, yet he was still there in 1960. Listen to find out why this happened and how Steve ultimately gained his release.

Also find out which US President was once a male model, the urban parking problem of 1925, two German women who attempted to mail themselves to their boyfriends in the US, and that Richard Nixon was once the nation's best-dressed man.

Retrosponsor: Post Toasties.

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The Greatest Escape - UI Podcast #036

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:00:00 -0000

Slavomir Rawich's escape from a Siberian prison camp is among the greatest stories of survival ever. So great that it seems totally unbelievable at times. Also learn which classic TV show began the title of each episode with "The Big", a motorist killed in a freak accident by a horse's hoof, a jet fuel cap that fell from the sky, and the day that the US Secretary of Labor ate his hat. Retrosponsor: The Granite Furniture Company.

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Dumpy the Dog - UI Podcast #035

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:00:00 -0000

For a while, it seemed like Dumpy the Dog could survive just about anything, but a puppyhood illness came back to haunt him. Be sure to check out this incredible true story.

Also, learn about a common kitchen product invented by Thomas Edison, a woman who was knocked unconscious while her hair was chopped off, a bargain marriage deal in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and a woman who taught her class in her birthday suit.

Retrosponsor: Aunt Jemima.

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Death by Exploding Playing Cards - UI Podcast #034

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:00:00 -0000

William Kogut decided to end his life using a deck of ordinary playing cards. That may seem impossible, so listen to this true story from 1930 to learn exactly how he did it.

Also find out which popular hairstyle was started by a woman named Barbara Terry, a doctor who dropped dead during surgery, the parking meter mystery, and why you should never request the personalized "NO PLATE" license plate.

Retrosponsor: Energine Shoe White.

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The Little Widow of Herald Square - UI Podcast #033

Wed, 05 May 2010 05:00:00 -0000

Ida Mayfield Wood lived as a recluse in the Herald Square Hotel in NYC for 24 years. When she died, 1,103 people claimed to be the heir to her fortune. Eight years later not a single one of them got a penny. Listen to this great story to find out who did.

Also, find out where the geographic center of the United States is located, the guy who married his mother-in-law, the 200 bees that brought the post office to a halt, and a lucky goldfish who survived an earthquake.

Retrosponsor: Teel Liquid Dentifice.

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The Sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt - UI Podcast #032

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:00:00 -0000

Wealthy Ann Cooper Hewitt was sterilized at age 20 by her mother and two doctors, yet did not know that the procedure was being done. Find out how they tricked her into the surgery.

Also, learn about the ten-letter word that your QWERTY keyboard intentionally spells, the guy who blasted out his left cheek while smoking a pipe, a convict who complained to an officer that his wife had run off with another man, and several boys who became trapped in a railroad water tank.

Retrosponsor: DeSoto automobiles.

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The Phantom Sniper - UI Podcast #031

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0000

The Phantom Sniper terrorized women in the Los Angeles area in the early 1950s. He was captured because of one minor mistake that most people would have easily overlooked.

Also find out the number of minutes spent playing football in an NFL football game, the fantastic world of Venus, the FBI diaper problem, and J. Paul Getty's pay phone.

Retrosponsor: Duz Laundry Soap.

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The Strange Kidnapping of Milly McGill - UI Podcast #030

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0000

The long-forgotten story about the strange kidnapping of Milly McGill back in 1945. It is what happened after Milly was returned to her parents that is the oddest part of this true story.

Also learn what a Blue Moon really is, how a wooden leg saved a man's life, a boy that could not pronounce the letter F, and a boy who drove to pick up his sweetie in his dad's car.

Retrosponsor: Postum Coffee Substitute.

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The 1913 Calumet Christmas Party Disaster - UI Podcast #029

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0000

A Christmas Eve celebration for the children of Calumet, Michigan turned into a death trap. Listen to find out the details of this tragic story.

Also learn about Mary Anderson's invention, a Christmas watermelon miracle, Chinese Christmas cards, and IBM computer punch card wreaths.

Retrosponsor: Ex-Lax.

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The Cranberry Crisis of 1959 - UI Podcast #028

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0000

Can you imagine Thanksgiving without cranberries? That happened in 1959 when cooks across America tossed out all of their cranberry products.

Learn about the Interrobang!? punctuation mark, a 7-story elevator plunge, an unlucky winning poker player, and a strange sequence of Friday the 13th events.

Retrosponsor: Edsel Automobiles by Ford

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The Great Elephant Caper - UI Podcast #027

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0000

Eleven circus elephants died from arsenic poisoning within a one-week period. The search for the murderer was on...

Also, learn about 1936's best student essay on peace, the 12-year-old who shot his principal, and the mob that went wild when the police canceled a men's club show. In addition, find out where Adolf Hitler was originally from.

Retrosponsor: Clipper Craft clothes.

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You've Got the Wrong Men - UI Podcast #026

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0000

One of the best stories ever covered on this podcast. It's the story of two men placed on trial for murder and were saved from almost certain death by an event that occurred many miles away.

Also learn about two boys that were run over by a locomotive, a fortune hidden in a wall, an escaped tiger, and who the fourth Rice Krispies elf was.

Retrosponsor: Grape Nuts

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Escape in a Homemade Submarine - UI Podcast #025

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0000

The fascinating true story of three Milwaukee men who started bombing Milwaukee Sears stores in an effort to obtain $100,000 and escape in their homemade submarine.

Also, learn what first the 1925 movie "The Lost World" accomplished, the parrot who committed suicide, death by seasickness, and a very unusual fishing catch.

Retrosponsor: Brylcreem.

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The Kidnapping of Caleb Milne IV - UI #024

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0000

A long-forgotten story about the sensational kidnapping of Caleb Milne IV back in 1935.

Also, discover the first #1 on Billboard's album chart, fake radio messages from Europe, two men who died during a fake bank robbery, and the $100 front-page publicity stunt.

Retrosponsor: Sal Hepatica laxative.

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The Day the US Dropped 4 H-Bombs on Spain - UI #023

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0000

The residents of Palomares in Spain are still dealing with the effects of the four hydrogen bombs accidentally dropped on this small fishing village back in 1966.

Also, learn about Norman Brinker's important contribution to the restaurant industry, the nude newsboy, a postal clerk lost at sea, and an award that was better late than never by 40 years.

Retrosponsor: Klean Soap.

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The Fake Epidemic - UI Podcast #022

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0000

The incredible true story of two Polish doctors who used the microbe Proteus OX19 to create a pseudo typhus epidemic, which saved the lives of over 8,000 people.

Also, learn which US president was first to appear on a circulating coin, the "doctor" who convinced women in NYC to disrobe before robbing them, the ashman who inherited a fortune, and two brothers who tried to teach in the same religious school.

Retrosponsor: Milk of Magnesia Facial Cremes.

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The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson - UI #021

Thu, 07 May 2009 05:00:00 -0000

Jackie Robinson is best remembered for being the first African American to play for one of the Major League Baseball teams, but his 1944 court-martial for his refusal to "go to the back of the bus" nearly derailed his career.

Also find out about the first UPC barcode, a trained squirrel, the world's longest beard, and twins marrying twins.

Retrosponsor: Listen to the first singing radio commercial - one that saved Wheaties from extinction.

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US Army Bicycle Corps - UI Podcast #020

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:00:00 -0000

Hard to believe, but the United States Army once had a bicycle corps.

Also learn how a notched wedding ring was used to denote divorce, a giant whale that made a 3,000-mile journey across the US, plumbers who used an alligator to unplug pipe, and Rhodes scholars.

Retrosponsor: Swan Soap

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The Radium Girls - UI Podcast #019

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0000

When the radioactive element radium was discovered, it quickly found its way into many products. One of those was glow-in-the-dark watch and clock faces, which were painted by women who licked their paintbrushes to keep them pointed. This was a deadly mistake.

Also, learn about the demonstration of a 150,000-volt electric chair, Charles Hawker and his high-voltage electric chair, the electrifying sermon of George Speake, and the largest chain of retail stores.

Retrosponsor: Adam Hats

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Come Dancing with Henry Ford - UI Podcast #018

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:00:00 -0000

Henry Ford is best remembered as the father of the Model T and the assembly line, but his efforts to get the American people dancing are nearly forgotten.

Also, learn about that small bump that appears around mosquito bites and a woman who bequeathed 24 quadrillion dollars to the poor.

Retrosponsor: The 1950 Ford.

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Extracting Gold from Seawater - UI Podcast #017

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:00:00 -0000

The true story of the 1897 invention of the "accumulator" that was designed to extract gold from the world's oceans.

Also, find out about the significance of the death of Lt. Thomas Selfridge on September 17, 1908. Plus, learn about Campbell McCarthy's death row last meal request, Auguste Mosner's unique robbery technique, and a story from Bloomingburg, NY, where Francis Van Winkle sold his father's farm machinery.

Retrosponsor: Goodyear Lifeguard Tires

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The Flubber Fiasco - UI Podcast #016

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0000

The unbelievable story of how to deal with the disposal of millions of pieces of the toy Flubber. It's the product that they just couldn't put down!

Also, find out about the origin of the name Bluetooth. Plus, learn that one-third of New York City's population is Jewish, a Brooklyn man who stared at women on the subway with binoculars, and how the Florence, Kansas post office sold $800 in stamps to keep its ranking.

Retrosponsor: Ting Pimple Cream

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The Spirits of St. Louis - NBA's Most Profitable Team - UI#015

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0000

The long-defunct Spirits of St. Louis basketball team may actually be one of the most profitable of all time, earning more annually than most likely any team in the NBA. Listen to this fascinating story to find out why. Learn about Melba 15th's world's record in buttermilk production, why Preston Jenkins was sentenced to 1 minute in jail, a car accident in Middletown, NY, and why is freezing and boiling set at 32º and 212ºF. Also, listen to the first radio commercial ever broadcast.

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Disaster of the USS Indianapolis - UI Podcast #014

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:00:00 -0000

The sinking of the USS Indianapolis caused the worst at-sea loss of life in the history of the US Navy. Hundreds of lives could have been saved if the US Navy had not forgotten about the ship. Also learn a little more about singer Johnny Mathis, the number of toothbrushes purchased annually, the Walter Johnson/Sydney Smith car/motorcycle accident, and a mattress stuffed with concrete and underwear. Retrosponsor: Merchant Marines of WWII

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Henrietta Swan Leavitt Unlocks the Universe - Podcast #013

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:00:00 -0000

The largely untold story of human-computer Henrietta Leavitt and how she unlocked the key to the vast universe. Also hear about a woman who hiccupped for 12 weeks, the burglary of William Fricke residence, riding a bike from California to Virginia Beach. and John Cleves Symmes plan to enter the interior of the Earth through the giant hole at the North Pole. Retrosponsor: Camel Cigarettes

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Antarctica's Red-Light District - UI Podcast #012

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:00:00 -0000

Yes, it appears that scientists may have finally found what appears to be Earth's southernmost red-light district. This is a story about penguins and what they do in their spare time. This time, however, it is the betrayed husband who is left home crying. Also, learn about the most played song on American radio during the 20th century.

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The Great Toilet Paper Shortage - Podcast #011

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0000

Learn about one of the most unusual shortages ever in US history - one that was all started by Tonight Show host Johnny Carson. This podcast also features a discussion of the In A Gada Da Vida/Speed of Light conspiracy theory.

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The Hanging of Will Purvis - UI Podcast #010

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:00:00 -0000

Will Purvis was hanged for the murder of another man, yet was able to walk away after the hanging was over. Possibly a case of divine intervention, but we will never know for sure. Find out the details of this fascinating twist-of-fate in this completely true story. Also learn if the plural of fish is fish or fishes.

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The Terminal Starring Sir Alfred - UI Podcast #009

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0000

Do you recall the Tom Hanks movie The Terminal? His character was stuck in the airport and was unable to leave. Believe it or not, this was very loosely based on a true story, one that was much more unusual with a sadder ending. Also, learn about the average distance between asteroids in the asteroid belt.

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Fight! - Shiloh Baptist Church Disaster - Podcast #008

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0000

The true story of the 1902 Shiloh Baptist Church Disaster, which explains why you should never scream the word "Fight!" in a crowded room. Also find out the difference between a meteor, meteorite, and meteoroid.

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The 14-Year-Old Inventor of Television - Podcast #007

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0000

What were you doing when you were 14 years old? At that very young age, Philo Farnsworth invented something that would change the world forever. There is a very good chance that you are using his invention right now, yet he is largely forgotten today. Also learn why most laundry detergents are blue.

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The U.S. Camel Corps - UI Podcast #006

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0000

As the United States expanded into the Southwest, the heat and lack of water prevented long-term use of horses. The federal government found the perfect solution in the acquisition of camels. While the camel experiment was successful, it ended just as quickly as it began. Listen to find out why. Also, learn about the place on Earth that is farthest from its center.

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The Gimli Glider - UI Podcast #005

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0000

The true story of a Boeing 767 that ran out of fuel at 41,000 feet and lost total power. With no airport within gliding range, find out how these courageous pilots dealt with this frightening life or death situation. Also, do you know which celebrity Nobel Prize physicist Max Born was the grandfather of?

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Titanic - The Unsinkable Violet Jessop - Podcast #004

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:00:00 -0000

The incredible true story of the unsinkable Violet Jessop and her survival of the collisions of the three sister ships - Olympic, Titanic, Britannic. The story that the movie should have been based on. Also, can you name the group that had the most #2 songs on the Billboard Pop Chart?

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Bath School Massacre - Podcast #003

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:00:00 -0000

While most people know about the massacre at Columbine, few realize that the deadliest act of US school violence occurred in Bath, Michigan in 1927. Listen to this fascinating story to find out the who, what, and why... Also, learn about some famous valedictorians.

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Bat Bombs — The Other Secret Weapon — Podcast #002

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:00:00 -0000

The fascinating true story of the development by the US government of incendiary bombs carried by living bats during World War II. One can't help but wonder if WWII would have ended differently if this weapon had been used. Also learn why a circle has 360 degrees in it.

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Useless Information Podcast - Introduction - #001

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:00:00 -0000

An introductory podcast that that tells you a bit about what the Useless Information Podcast is all about.

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