In 1945, police were astounded to discover a man affixed to a wooden cross, hastily fastened to the beams supporting Chicago’s elevated railway. His assailants were never identified, but the victim repeatedly brought up the name of Dr. Emil Bronner. It's worth noting that this is the very same Dr. Bronner who later pioneered the widely acclaimed castile soap that carries his name. This story will help explain the quirky messages on their soap bottles.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/a-crucifixion-in-chicago-podcast-217

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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An alligator is found in a California swamp, male toll collectors oppose the hiring of women, a mummified man inspires a Don McLean song, a chewing gum party, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-25-podcast-216/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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In 1933, New York City police had a very unusual mystery on their hands. Two people died of nearly identical causes within an hour of one another at an Automat restaurant in Manhattan. Strangers to each other, the sole connecting thread between them was a poppy seed roll.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-strange-case-of-the-poppy-seed-roll-podcast-215/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Our modern world is dependent on electricity. But did you ever stop to wonder where it all began? Guest Kathy Joseph, author of the book The Lightning Tamers and host of the popular YouTube channel Kathy Loves Physics, joins me to talk about some of these amazing stories.

Video of this interview: https://uselessinformation.org/the-lightning-tamers-podcast-214/

Purchase The Lightning Tamers by Kathy Joseph at https://shorturl.at/cwzKS

Kathy Loves Physics & History on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weirdly_wonderful

Kathy Joseph’s website: https://kathylovesphysics.com/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-lightning-tamers-podcast-214/

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Back in 1937, Harold Hulen was madly in love with Florence Hurlbut. He desperately wanted to marry her, but every time he asked, she turned him down. After a couple of years of constant rejection, Harold came up with an outrageous way to get her attention. Soon their story would be told in newspapers and on the radio from coast-to-coast.

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Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-radiator-romeo-podcast-213/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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Bruce Carlson of My History Can Beat Up Your Politics cohosts! A man survives going over Niagara, only to later die after slipping on an orange peel; a family is told they can only take one bath per week; a woman catches a trout with a fly swatter, Beatles hair is clogging up swimming pools, and much more!

You can find Bruce Carlson’s podcast here: https://myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com/

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-24-podcast-212/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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In 1950, the Hecht department store chain unveiled plans for constructing a massive new store in Arlington, Virginia. However, their ambitious project faced a formidable obstacle in the form of an 82-year-old preacher. This elderly man insisted on selling his property to the company only if they agreed to pay an exorbitant sum. The question remained: who would emerge victorious in this standoff?

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-poor-rich-man-podcast-211/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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In this episode: A look at letters to Santa through the years, a judge who sentences two men to get a boy his Christmas gifts, Santa’s pants fall down, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/christmas-retrocast-podcast-210

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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The heartwarming story of "Uncle Dan" Vinson, a man who dedicated much of his life to ensuring that Christmas became a truly special occasion for children all around the world. In his workshop, his helpers tirelessly worked throughout the year, diligently fixing misfit toys and crafting new ones. Somehow millions of those gifts would find their way to where they needed to go. He derived immense joy simply from the knowledge that countless children would have presents to unwrap on Christmas Day.

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/the-beardless-santa-podcast-209/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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In this episode: A hippopotamus is on the loose in Detroit, a skydiver in freefall grabs a parachute from another skydiver, Chicago steaks are really horse meat, a boy’s crib is struck by lightning, and much more!

Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/retrocast-22-podcast-208/

The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network.  Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one.

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