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Syndication


 
Welcome to the Useless Information Podcast Blog!


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The story of Amala and Kamala, two girls in India that were claimed to have been raised by wolves.  Find out the facts of this unusual story.  Also learn the original name of the Hawaii 5-O television series, as well as the details of a singing telegram in a courtroom, a man who had no clue that he had stolen a car, and a husband that wanted to be arrested to get away from his nagging wife.  Retrosponsor: Owl Rexall Drugs.

Direct download: amalakamala.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:26pm EST

The first director of the US Geological Survey, Clarence King, was a famed scientist, explorer, and author.  This allowed him to move among the elite of American society in the late 19th century.  Yet, few people knew that he spent the last thirteen years leading a secret double life.  Also learn what Martin Cooper was the first person to ever do, a New Zealand explosion hoax, a man killed by his false teeth, and Thomas Blod's silent concert.  Retrosponsor: Fletcher's Castoria.

Direct download: clarence_king.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:36am EST

The death of an elderly man in Chicago in 1941 was initially unnoticed.  Then it was learned that he was a French nobleman that gave it all away for the chance to love the woman of his dreams.  Find out if he ever got the girl...  Also learn about the only man ever to be the governor of two different US states, Adolph Hitler being drafted, a bug juice mystery, and a good use for rubber finger sheaths.  Retrosponsor: Sinatra singing for Kennedy. 

Direct download: french_nobleman.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:10pm EST

After giving birth to a stillborn, Grady the Cow just bolted from sight.  But there was nowhere for her to go in the small room that she was in.  It was then that her owner realized she had somehow gotten her large body through the tiny door to the concrete silo.  Tips poured in from all over the world suggesting ways to get her out of there.  Find out how they did it.   Also learn how many years the oldest cow lived for, a man that advertised for a homely wife, two mineralogists that came up with a unique way to meet women, and a husband that was forced to return his mail-order bride home.  Retrosponsor: Anchor Hocking Glass.

Direct download: grady_the_cow.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:34pm EST

UI #45 - The Fly Paper Murderess

Six men died in a Chicago woman's home over a three-year period.  Further investigation showed that 47-year-old Margaret Summers had been married six times and all were dead.  She had taken out nineteen life insurance policies, all naming her as the sole beneficiary.  She claimed innocence, the police thought otherwise.  Also find out when the first permanent photograph was taken and three different stories of lost cyanide.  Retrosponsor:  Tintex fabric dye.

Direct download: fly_paper_murderess.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:12pm EST

On August 21, 1933, Jack Loreen was dug up after spending the previous 64 days buried in a coffin.  That was just the start of a crazy competition to survive the longest at six feet under.  Also find out which breakfast cereal is the most popular, where a New Jersey woman found her stolen watch, why Brownie the cow was not producing enough milk, and the unique way a hit-and-run driver was caught.  Retrosponsor: Fleischmann's Fresh Yeast.

Direct download: the_man_buried_alive.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:00am EST

On May 20, 1961, then US Vice President Lyndon Johnson was on a goodwill tour of Asia.  While pressing the flesh in Karachi, Pakistan, Johnson had a casual conversation with a camel driver named Bashir Ahmad.  The next thing you know, Bashir was on his way to the United States in the feel-good news story of 1961.  Also find out what everyday product Hyman Lipman invented, the Florida councilman frightened by a snake, the NY Aquarium's April Fool problem, and Smell-o-vision.  Retrosponsor: Squibb Dental Creme.

Direct download: bashir_ahmad.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:07pm EST

Frank Laiken skipped town to avoid paying alimony in 1928 and was never to be seen again.  His ex-wife Rose learned of a man named Noach (Noah) Goldberg that had died in Vienna.  She was certain that Noah was her husband's alias.  His wooden leg was all that was needed to make the connection.  Also learn about which Crayola crayon color was changed in 1962, a fake mutiny, the drunken elephant rampage, and a sad death by a falling flower pot.  Retrosponsor: Hallmark Greeting Cards.

Direct download: noah_goldberg.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:07pm EST

Conrad Cantzen died in 1945 and is long forgotten, but his shoe fund still lives on.  Listen to the story of this bizarre provision in this down-on-his-luck actor's handwritten will.  Also learn which celebrity has earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in all five of its categories, the US Postal Service's 1908 Valentine problem, Andrew de Stefano's surprise telegram, and pretty Patsy Puckett's Jaguar mystery.  Retrosponsor: Colgate Tooth Powder.

Direct download: cantzen.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:48pm EST

A premature baby born prior to the 1940's had little chance of survival unless the baby was lucky enough to be part of a popular sideshow exhibit at Coney Island.  Also learn how the real Jack Daniel died, a man fined one-cent for shooting a cow, a color changing necktie, and a flea map of the United Kingdom nearly 60 years in the making.  Retrosponsor: Camel Cigarettes.

Direct download: coney.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:03pm EST