Useless Information Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Short Life of Suzy Dewey - UI Podcast #065 Aug 19, 2013

Show notes

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 Jul 16, 2013

Show notes

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 Jun 09, 2013

Show notes

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 Apr 27, 2013

Show notes

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 Mar 23, 2013

Show notes

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 Feb 19, 2013

Show notes

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:

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

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The Sky is Falling - UI Podcast #059 Jan 09, 2013

Show notes

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

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

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dead Ringers - UI Podcast #058 Nov 24, 2012

Show notes

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/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sikorsky Sweater Girls - UI Podcast #057 Oct 07, 2012

Show notes

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/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple Annie - UI Podcast #056 Aug 21, 2012

Show notes

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/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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