Useless Information Podcast

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/

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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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/

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.

Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
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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/

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.

Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on the Useless Information Podcast.
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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/
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.
Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on the Useless Information Podcast.
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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:
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.
Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on the Useless Information Podcast.
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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.
Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on the Useless Information Podcast.
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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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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
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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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
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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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/
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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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
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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
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 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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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/
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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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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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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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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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/
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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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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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/
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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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 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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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/
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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/
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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