Useless Information Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Great Podcast Switcheroo! Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

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 Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

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 Mar 17, 2019

Show notes

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 Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

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 Feb 06, 2019

Show notes

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 Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

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 Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

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 Dec 02, 2018

Show notes

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 Oct 21, 2018

Show notes

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 Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

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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