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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 really 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

Direct download: blaze_incident.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:38pm EST

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, and three people who used the wrong ingredients while cooking, resulting in the deaths of their loved ones.  Retrosponsor: Horlick's Malted Milk.  

Direct download: mr_moneybags.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:05pm EST

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 came to an end.  Also hear about the first unsigned band to appear on Saturday Night Live, a new father that couldn't find the hospital door, a bizarre case of supposed illegal search and seizure, as well as  the mother-in-law that didn't know how to drive.  Retrosponsor: Penn-Daw Motor Hotel.

Direct download: parcel_post_babies.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:49am EST

The sad story of a little girl that was diagnosed with terminal leukemia who was the victim of a hoax during the last few months of her short life.  Also find out about the first athlete to ever appear on the front of a Wheaties cereal box, two brothers that split the driving responsibilities, a blind man that wanted to know what it was like to drive, and the 128 blind men in Kansas that once held driver's licenses.  Retrosponsor: Wheaties.

Direct download: suzy_dewey.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:22pm EST

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 that would let you extract his tooth, male chest "tapestries", and a ban on padded bras.  Retrosponsor: Faultless Starch

Direct download: bodysnatch.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:19pm EST

Some mysterious force was bringing garden hoses all over the United States to life back in 1955.  Find out what they did and how one owner named George Di Peso put an end to all of the madness.  Also learn the original name of the Wheel of Fortune game show, how elephants helped clearing traffic in Berlin, where some missing hogs were hiding, and how a tortoise lost during World War II was ultimately found.  Retrosponsor: Aero-Wax

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

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 that was indirectly shot by a porcupine, and a woman that mowed her lawn in a 2-piece bathing suit.  Retrosponsor: Wrigley's Spearmint Gum.

Direct download: ghost_of_guam.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:34am EST

Sad, yet true, story of a 1931 school bus disaster in the Pleasant Hill school district in Colorado.  Also learn about the world's second richest charity, topless male swimming, capturing an island, and the blood-sucking boarder.  Retrosponsor: Ovaltine

Direct download: bus_tragedy.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:39pm EST

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.

Direct download: ivory_soap_murders.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:17pm EST

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.  

Direct download: sky_is_falling.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:59pm EST