Useless Information Podcast

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The Citicorp Tower Revisited - UI Podcast #075 Aug 16, 2014

Show notes

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/

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UI #74 - Arrest the Parents Jul 14, 2014

Show notes

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 May 24, 2014

Show notes

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 Apr 19, 2014

Show notes

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 Mar 15, 2014

Show notes

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 Feb 11, 2014

Show notes

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 Jan 04, 2014

Show notes

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 Dec 01, 2013

Show notes

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 Oct 31, 2013

Show notes

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 Sep 22, 2013

Show notes

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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