Useless Information Podcast

UI #28 - The Cranberry Crisis of 1959

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:03:00 GMT

Can you imagine Thanksgiving without cranberries? That actually 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, a unlucky winning poker player, and a strange sequence of Friday the 13th events. Retrosponsor: Edsel

UI #27 - The Great Elephant Caper

useless@steve.silverman.name — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:06:00 GMT

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 that shot his principal, and the mob that went wild when the police cancelled a men's club show. Also find out where Adolf Hitler was originally from. Retrosponsor: Clipper Craft clothes.

UI #26 - You've Got the Wrong Men

useless@steve.silverman.name — Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:40:00 GMT

Almost unbelievable true story of Clement Molway and Louis Berrett who were both on trial for murder in 1934. Twelve eyewitnesses testified that they were the men that committed the crime. They were within hours of facing the death penalty. Then the real criminals showed up... Also learn about the fourth Rice Krispie elf, two boys run over by a locomotive, a fortune hidden in a wall, and an escaped tiger. Retrosponsor: Grape Nuts.

UI #25 - Escape in a Homemade Submarine

useless@steve.silverman.name — Wed, 2 Sep 2009 22:39:00 GMT

Fascinating true story of three Milwaukee men that 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 that committed suicide, death by seasickness, and a very unusual fishing catch. Retrosponsor: Brylcreem.

UI #24 - The Kidnapping of Caleb Milne IV

useless@steve.silverman.name — Thu, 6 Aug 2009 03:38:00 GMT

Long forgotten story about the sensational kidnapping of Caleb Milne IV back in 1935. Also learn the first #1 on Billboard's album chart, fake radio messages from Europe, two men that died during a fake bank robbery, and the $100 front page publicity stunt. Retrosponsor: Sal Hepatica laxative.

UI #23 - The Day the US Dropped 4 H-Bombs on Spain

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:46:00 GMT

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.

UI #22 - The Fake Epidemic

useless@steve.silverman.name — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:21:00 GMT

Incredible true story of two Polish doctors that 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 that inherited a fortune, and two brothers that tried to teach in the same religious school. Retrosponsor: Milk of Magnesia Facial Cremes.

UI #21 - The Court Martial of Jackie Robinson

useless@steve.silverman.name — Thu, 7 May 2009 21:45:00 GMT

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

UI #20 - US Army Bicycle Corp

useless@steve.silverman.name — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:59:00 GMT

The true, grueling story about the US Army's 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps that cycled their way across the country to demonstrate a unique method of troop transportation. Also learn about Cecil Rhodes, notched wedding rings, a giant whale, and alligators in sewer pipes. Also hear a classic commercial for Swan Soap from the Burns & Allen radio show.

UI #19 - The Radium Girls

useless@steve.silverman.name — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 02:29:00 GMT

If you have ever wondered what would happen to the human body after long-term exposure to radioactive materials, you need to hear this story about the countless women that gave up their health to produce glow-in-the-dark watch and dial faces. Also learn about the largest chain of retail stores in history and learn a few true tidbits from history.

UI #18 - Come Dancing with Henry Ford

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:42:00 GMT

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 is nearly forgotten. Also learn about that small bump that appears around mosquito bites and a woman that bequeathed 24 quadrillion dollars to the poor. Retrosponsored by the 1950 Ford.

UI #17 - Extracting Gold from Seawater

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:34:00 GMT

The true story of the 1897 invention of the "accumulator" that was designed to extract gold from the world's oceans. Also learn about the significance of the death of Lt. Thomas Selfridge on September 17, 1908.

UI #16 - The Flubber Fiasco

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:07:00 GMT

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.

UI #15 - The Spirits of St. Louis - NBA's Most Profitable Team

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 00:28:00 GMT

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. Also listen to the first radio commercial ever broadcast.

UI #14 - Disaster of the USS Indianapolis

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:35:00 GMT

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, hear from our retrosponsor, and listen to a few true tidbits from our weird past.

UI #13 - Henrietta Swan Leavitt Unlocks the Universe

useless@steve.silverman.name — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:49:00 GMT

The largely untold story of human computer Henrietta Leavitt and how she unlocked the key to the vast universe. John Cleves Symmes is also discussed, as well as our first Retro-Sponsor and News of the Weird Past.

UI #12 - Antarctica's Red Light District

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 6 Apr 2008 18:26:00 GMT

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.

UI #11 - The Great Toilet Paper Shortage

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:56:00 GMT

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.

UI #10 - The Hanging of Will Purvis

useless@steve.silverman.name — Mon, 3 Mar 2008 01:02:00 GMT

Will Purvis 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.

UI #9 - The Terminal Starring Sir Alfred???

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:59:00 GMT

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.

UI #8 - Fight! - Shiloh Baptist Church Disaster

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 22:50:00 GMT

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 a meteoroid.

UI #7 - Philo Farnsworth

useless@steve.silverman.name — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 00:29:00 GMT

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.

UI #6 - U.S. Camel Corp

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sat, 2 Feb 2008 22:32:00 GMT

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.

UI #5 - Gimli Glider - What if your airplane ran out of fuel?

useless@steve.silverman.name — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:57:00 GMT

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 live or die situation.

UI #1 - Useless Information Podcast - Introduction

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:18:00 GMT

A introductory podcast that gives a brief overview of who I am, where these stories originated from, and what to expect in the future.

UI #4 - Titanic - The Unsinkable Violet Jessop

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:46:00 GMT

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.

UI #3 - Bath School Disaster

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:02:00 GMT

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...

UI #2 - Bat Bombs - The Other Secret Weapon

useless@steve.silverman.name — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:56:00 GMT

Fascinating true story of the development by the US government of incediary 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.