Useless Information Podcast

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Did you know that: An ant can survive for up to two weeks underwater. Between 25% to 33% of the population sneeze when they are exposed to light. The longest Monopoly game ever played was 1,680 hours long, that's 70 straight days! And more Useless Information to amaze your self and your friends!

Steve and Brad


    • Jun 20, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 187 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Useless Information Podcast

    Almost Over the Hump - UI #174

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 34:19


    Just what happens when your airplane crashes high up in the Himalayan mountains and there is no chance that anyone will ever find you? This happened to pilots Joe Rosbert and Ridge Hammell during World War II as they attempted to pilot a cargo plane over “The Hump.” It's an amazing story of perseverance, survival, and a lot of luck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #10 - UI Podcast #173

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 66:45


    In this episode: The United States once banned the sale of sliced bread, the State of Oregon attempted to ban popcorn in movie theaters, women were using fly swatters to swat away their excess pounds, and much more! Matt Breen of The Explorers Podcast cohosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    From Car Show!: The Jeep and World War II

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 35:57


    We're shaking things up today and sharing a preview from Car Show!, a new podcast from our friends at Pushkin Industries. Longtime Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman tells the stories of the vital cars — the ones that have changed how we drive and live, whose significance lies outside the scope of horsepower or miles per gallon. In this episode, Eddie talks about the military background of the Jeep, a vehicle made for the battlefields of World War II, and its lasting popularity in America decades after the war. You can listen to the full episode and more from Car Show! at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/carshow?sid=useless. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Henry Ford's Peace Ship - UI Podcast #172

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 47:37


    In 1915, American industrialist Henry Ford announced that he was willing to use his entire fortune to bring an end to World War I. So, he chartered a ship to take many of the prominent peace activists of the day to Europe and convene a peace conference to mediate an end to the European War. So, hop aboard the Peace Ship! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Arbor Day Turns 150! - UI Podcast #171

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 20:02


    Arbor Day is 150 years old! Learn the origins of the day, plus how one small upstate New York town continues the annual celebration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #9 - UI Podcast #170

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 26:09


    In this episode: A woman dumps her fiancé at the altar to marry the minister, a jealous husband who used rattlesnakes to keep men away from his wife, the unlikely suspects in a case of truck tire sabotage, and much more! Retrosponsor: Kraft Mayonnaise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Father of Voice Radio - UI #169

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 20:20


    It's hard to believe, but when the first words were spoken on radio, it was dismissed as a novelty. It seems as if everyone thought that Morse code was the future. Nearly everyone except for Reginald Fessenden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Case of the Hollow Nickel - UI #168

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 28:55


    In 1953, paperboy Jimmy Bozart was counting his newspaper subscription money. He dropped the coins and one nickel split open, revealing a piece of microfilm. This led to the arrest of a high-ranking Soviet spy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #8 - UI Podcast #167

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 24:21


    In this episode: A live baby is auctioned off, a carnival knife thrower accidentally hits his human target, a West Virginian dog warden with an unusual approach to keeping thieves out of the pound, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Eddie Cantor Peace Prize - UI #166

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 34:43


    In 1936, superstar Eddie Cantor asked his radio listeners to write an essay describing how the United States could avoid war. The prize was a full college scholarship. With no set rules, something was certain to go wrong. And something did go very wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #7 - UI Podcast #165

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 24:15


    In this episode: A man falls out of a window and is saved by a flagpole, seven tonsillectomies done in an assembly line fashion, the last cigarette commercial on US network television, a baby born in a well, and much more! Retrosponsor: Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Glass House Girl - UI #164

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 38:12


    Edna Kirby spent more than a decade in Hollywood appearing in silent movies for Paramount Studios. While she never became a movie star, Edna drew large crowds in nearly every town that she visited. That's because Edna Kirby lived in a glass house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Bad Apples #3 - Sunset Boulevard - UI #163

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 46:43


    In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard." Directed by Billy Wilder, this movie tells the story of a struggling screenwriter who gets into a dangerous relationship with a faded Hollywood actress who dreams of a big comeback.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #6 - UI Podcast #162

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 41:47


    Christmas episode! A reindeer that bit a boy's finger, a lawsuit over the world's largest Christmas stocking, an absent-minded Santa Claus, a Santa caught with his pants down, the first Christmas film ever made, and much more! Retrosponsor: Dole Pineapple Juice and Gems Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Tom McGee's Back on the Chain Gang - UI #161

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 31:17


    Tom McGee wanted nothing more for Christmas than to be able to spend time caring for his hogs. The only catch was that he needed to commit a crime and hope that a judge would sentence him to time on one of Georgia's infamous chain gangs. A true story that took place in Atlanta from 1928 through 1930. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #5 - UI Podcast #160

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 39:15


    In this episode: A proud father who kidnapped his newborn daughter, a mother jailed for cooking a woodpecker, Einstein gives a student incorrect math advice, a snake that joined a woman in the bathtub, a filmstrip projector demonstrated for the first time, and much more! Retrosponsor: Log Cabin Syrup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Forgotten Man - UI Podcast #159

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 33:26


    A New Jersey man was caught in a Catch-22 situation. As long as he remained on death row, he could live. If he attempted to get off of death row by challenging his sentence in court, he would likely die. Can you guess which option he chose? A true story that began in 1908. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #4 - UI Podcast #158

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2021 36:24


    In this episode: The day corsets were arrested, a lingerie auction at the University of Nebraska, US Customs bans Alice Cooper's panties, a woman hurt in a freak accident, a fish who milked a cow, woman entertains friends while husband robs their homes, a box of cookies that started a fire, a man who accidentally robbed a bank, & the highest-paid act at Woodstock. Retrosponsor: Sears advertisement for School's Out by Alice Cooper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Don't Mess With Minerva Miller - UI Podcast #157

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 33:29


    In 1911, Mrs. Minerva Miller and two friends went to The Paterson Show in Paterson, NJ to watch a movie. A standard ticket cost 5 cents, but Mrs. Miller was told that she would have to pay 25 cents because she was black. Minerva Miller decided to challenge the theater's racist policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #3 - UI Podcast #156

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 27:45


    A 72-year-old woman who married a 20-year-old man, a 16-year-old girl arrested for cursing, a woman who had some run-ins with modern appliances, speaking English deforms the mouth, a husband who refused to buy his wife false teeth, a "Dammed Missouri" book that disappeared in a flood, and more! Retrosponsor: Rinso Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Lost in the Mountains - UI Podcast #155

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 32:29


    In 1941, 5-year-old Pamela Hollingworth disappeared into the dense forest of New Hampshire's White Mountains. In what became the largest search and rescue effort in New England to that date, more than 1,500 men spent more than a week looking for her. Was she murdered, kidnapped, or something else? Find out what really happened to Pamela Hollingworth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #2 - UI Podcast #154

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 27:32


    Retrocast #2: Boy runs away because he can·t master Latin, a mother who loaned her son to a stranger, a man who survived a Nazi firing squad, cows killed by lightning, man's leg broken three times, truth in business inboxes, 200 hog call records stolen, a helicopter melon thief, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Two Worlds Collide - UI Podcast #153

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 28:23


    In 1932, Redondo Beach school superintendent Elliott B. Thomas mysteriously disappeared and his office was ransacked. Was he kidnapped? Could he have been killed? Or was something else going on? Also, learn about a new chemical element called Administratium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Retrocast #1 - UI Podcast #152

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021 26:47


    Retrocast #1 - A 106-year-old woman seeks a husband, 5 phonograph records is admission to a dance, Australia gives the US an albino kangaroo, Johnny Cash promoting the Home Equipment Co., A country could be 49th US state, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    A Blind Eye - UI Podcast #151

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2021 30:04


    In 1933, Helen Vasko was diagnosed with a malignant eye tumor that threatened her life. Her parents would not consent to surgery and the case ended up in court. It was a battle between parental vs. state rights and which side should have the ultimate deciding power. This fascinating story examines both sides of the case and the landmark ruling that was ultimately made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    A Fortune to the Dogs - UI Podcast #150

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 47:31


    When Isabel McHie was pulled off of a train in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1935, she confirmed to the world that she truly was eccentric. It was a reputation that continued long after she died. Also, learn about a 1907 promotion that instructed housewives to wink at their grocer, a will written on a petticoat, another will penned on the rung of a ladder, and a woman of little means who left it all to the "dumb animals" that she cared so much for. Retrosponsor: Kellogg's Sugar Pops cereal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bad Apples #2 - The Hitch-Hiker - UI Podcast #149

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 26:36


    In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the classic movie "The Hitch-Hiker." Directed by Ida Lupino, this movie was inspired by the crimes of mass murderer Billy Cook, which was told in podcast #148 titled "Badman Billy Cook." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Badman Billy Cook - UI Podcast #148

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 38:03


    There's a killer on the road. The mostly forgotten true story of the manhunt for mass murderer Billy Cook in 1951. His crime spree was the inspiration for a verse in one of rock's most classic songs. Also learn about a teacher forced to resign because she had married, a doctor that kept his marriage a secret for 12 years, and a couple who secretly married to avoid all of the fuss. Retrosponsor: Tulsa Window and Door Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 19:41


    In this episode, I make an important announcement about the future of the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The St. Louis Diphtheria Tragedy - UI Podcast #147

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 40:13


    The diphtheria vaccine saved many lives until children started dying from it back in 1901. One could say that it was all the fault of a horse named Jim. Also, learn about the invention of spray paint cans, the time that Teddy Roosevelt declared war on banana peels, birth control leases, and a ticking tapioca time bomb. Retrosponsor: Manischewitz Matzos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Price of a Kiss - UI Podcast #146

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 40:40


    In 1919, Chicago doctor Justin L. Mitchell forcefully kissed nurse Mathilde Benkhardt without her permission. She challenged him in court and the outcome may have ruined him for the rest of his life. Also, learn about the original title of the song Midnight Train to Georgia, an attempt to double one's money by boiling it, two female clowns that crashed the circus ring, and a joke that involved a long-distance phone call. Retrosponsor: Here Comes Mr. Kitzel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Things You Don’t Need To Know

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 9:43


    Diffusing a bomb, landing an airplane, selling your soul… very few people in the world need instructions on topics like these. Luckily Ari Cagan is here to talk to the experts in these limited fields and then teach you everything you’ll never need to know. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Bad Apples #1 - The Best Years of Our Lives - UI Podcast #145

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 34:39


    In this episode, my wife Mary Jane joins me to review the classic movie "The Best Years of Our Lives." Released in 1946, the movie won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Sleep-Walking Murderer - UI Podcast #144

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 40:48


    In 1930, Michael Filosa killed his half-brother Salvatore De Hall while he was sleep-walking. He also slashed his mother Anna De Hall and half-sister Catherine. Could he have really done such a thing? Also learn about the name of the famous final Jeopardy tune, Chrysler's Hi-Way Hi-Fi system, Goodyear's colorful translucent tires, and the Wrist-Twist Instant Steering system. Retrosponsor: Hormel Spam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Introducing Business Movers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2021 8:57


    In Wondery’s newest series, Business Movers, host Lindsay Graham dives deep into the inner workings of some of the most successful companies of all time. From the origin stories of their famed leaders to the million dollar idea that catapulted them to success, how exactly did these companies grow from an idea and a dream to multi-billion dollar corporations? Hear the landmark decisions, the scandals, and the stunning triumphs that made them who they are. First up: Walt Disney. Listen at wondery.fm/uselessinfo_movers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    A Grateful Mother - UI Podcast #143

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 37:14


    The heartwarming true story from the 1950s of a secret Santa and the generous Christmas gifts that he gave to Helen Arnold's family in Akron, Ohio. Also, learn about the real name for a Hanukkah menorah, a guy who received 4-tons of manure for Christmas, a Santa who got stuck in a chimney, and a Santa who was saved from a ticket by children. Retrosponsor: Duz laundry soap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Runaway Miss America - UI Podcast #142

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 47:16


    Bette Cooper never dreamed of winning a beauty pageant and was shocked when she won the 1937 Miss America title. Within hours, Bette had disappeared. Where could she have gone? Also learn the history of the Miss America theme song, the youngest Miss America ever, about a beautiful legs contest held in Fort Worth, the World Posture Queen, and the Most Beautiful Ape in the World. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Introducing: Little Stories Everywhere

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2020 6:52


    Wondery’s newest podcast, Little Stories Everywhere, is the perfect immersive experience to share by the fireplace with loved ones this holiday season.   Each episode will be the reading of a children’s classic - some of the most magical stories ever told, now reimagined with enchanting sound design for families to enjoy together or adults to enjoy on their own. Little Stories Everywhere is out now, premiering with A Merry Christmas, a collection of holiday tales by Louisa May Alcott that truly embody the holiday spirit, no matter what you celebrate. Listen today: wondery.fm/uselessinfo_LSE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Flying Housewife - Part 2 - UI Podcast #141

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2020 33:12


    Part 2 of this story discusses Richarda "Dikki" Morrow-Tait's trip from Alaska back to London in her 1938 effort to become the first woman to pilot an airplane around the world. Would she make it? Also learn about the world's largest building by volume, that it's legal to fly airplanes in Philadelphia on Sunday, a pilotless plane in Australia, and a submarine rodeo. Retrosponsor: TWA Airline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Flying Housewife - Part 1 - UI Podcast #140

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 26:20


    In 1938, Richarda "Dikki" Morrow-Tait set off from London in an attempt to become the first woman to pilot an airplane around the world. She encountered setback after setback. Would she make it? Part 1 of this story discusses her trip from London and eastward to Alaska. Also learn about the word circumnavigation record via commercial airlines, a 1912 prediction about the horseless age, an airplane golf match, and a man who stole a railroad in broad daylight. Retrosponsor: Halo Shampoo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Fight for Hildy McCoy - UI Podcast #139

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2020 48:29


    In 1951, Hildy McCoy was born out of wedlock and her mother put her up for adoption. When she later learned that the new parents were Jewish, a six year long legal battle for the custody of Hildy McCoy had begun. Also, learn about the PLU numbers on produce, a supposed dead man who needed to revive his wife, an early long-distance learning failure, and a mother who told her son that an armed robber was the TV repairman. Retrosponsor: Kolynos Toothpaste Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Titanic's Orphans - UI Podcast #138

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2020 42:01


    After the Titanic sank, two brothers were orphaned after their dad perished. The search for a family member became an front page news worldwide.\After the Titanic sank, two brothers became orphans after their dad perished. The search for a family member became an front page news worldwide. Also learn about the first non-mammal observed to experience, contagious yawning, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Becoming a CPA with Morgan Simmons - UI Bonus Episode #6

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 18:04


    In this special edition of the podcast, Chatham High School graduate Morgan Simmons interviews Sue Baer, president of the Baer Tax Group in Ghent, NY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Zambian Space Program - UI Podcast #137

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 36:39


    In 1964, the newly established country of Zambia announced that it planned to be the first nation to place a man on the moon. An excellent story about a forgotten chapter in space exploration history. Also, learn about the only US President who spoke English as a second language, a snitch who offered to help locate Denver, Colorado speakeasies, a woman who thought that she had outsmarted a robber, and photocopier thieves who came back for the copy paper. Retrosponsor: Tootsie Roll candy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Child Bride - UI Podcast #136

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2020 39:00


    Just how young is too young to marry? This episode takes a look at the 1937 marriage between 9-year-old Eunice Winstead and 22-year-old Charlie Johns. Also learn about the purpose of glassmaker's soap, a couple married atop the original Ferris wheel, a time when kissing was barred on Bavarian trains, and a man who twice tried to commit suicide by throwing himself under the wheels of moving cars. Retrosponsor: Dr. I. Q. Candy Bar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Game Design & Testing with Eddie Tice - UI Bonus Episode #5

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 21:38


    In this special edition of the podcast, Chatham High School senior Eddie Tice interviews Senior QA Tester Trevor Farnsworth at Vicarious Visions, a game developer located in Albany, NY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Emperor of the Sahara (Part 2) - UI Podcast #135

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 34:35


    In Part 2, we learn what happened to Jacques Lebaudy after his brief reign as an emperor came to an end. Let's just say that the story does not have a happy ending. Also, learn which country produces the most wool each year, mummified bones found in a home, a woman who was arrested for lying about her age while registering her automobiles, and two homes that were built on the wrong lots. Retrosponsor: Pine-scented Lysol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Emperor of the Sahara (Part 1) - UI Podcast #134

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 31:28


    The crazy true story of a man who attempted to build an empire of his own in the Sahara. In Part 1, we look at Jacques Lebaudy's failed plan to create the empire and how the French military came to the rescue of Lebaudy's men. Also learn a bit about the history of Meals on Wheels and three different elixirs claimed to have been cures during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic. Retrosponsor: Pabst-ett cheese spread. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    A Nose for Fishing - UI Podcast #133

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 21:21


    Sometimes a person can accomplish a great deal over the span of his or her lifetime but is forever defined by one thing that took just a brief moment while they were still young. Harry Morse was one of those men. Also learn about the first Beatles song banned by the BBC, someone who woke up beside a dead man, a wife whose first husband was found alive, and the Send-A-Dame chain letter. Retrosponsor: Feen-A-Mint Chewing Gum Laxative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In the Blink of an Eye - UI Podcast #132

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2020 38:48


    In 1925, the parents and sisters of 9-year-old Evelyn Castle were killed after their car collided with a train. What came next for Evelyn was totally unexpected. It's a story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Also learn about the origins of the term blockbuster, the theft of 55 right-footed shoes, a woman who refused to be fooled twice, and a New Jersey girl who thought she was about to spend one=week with the Beatles. Retrosponsor: Old Spice Aftershave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    An Inside Job - UI Podcast #131

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2020 37:13


    The incredible story of how James Rufus Landis stole $160,000 in $20 bills from the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing on New Year's Eve of 1953. Also learn about the first ATM machine, a cork leg that saved a man from suicide, an elephant that went for a ride on a monorail, and a life-size statue of St. Anthony found on a NYC subway platform. Retrosponsor: Ken-L Ration dog food. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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