Information Archives - Page 222 of 445

A Farmer Near Audubon, Iowa, Was Building His Own Airplane. Then a Real One Flew Him Home.

In 1919 Leo Jenks, a farmer near Audubon, Iowa, had no money for an airplane, so he built his own. Then a pastor’s son flew him home in a real one.

Did a Farmer Near Guthrie, Oklahoma, Really Win $50 With a Day of Meals Made From Weeds?

Historical Facts, Oklahoma

In 1911 papers said a farmer near Guthrie, Oklahoma, won $50 cooking a day of meals from weeds and cattle crops. Then the story got a second farmer.

Pensacola, Florida, Found a Perfect Fake Half Dollar. Its Sound Gave It Away.

Florida, Historical Facts

In 1909 a perfect fake half dollar turned up in Pensacola, Florida. Its only flaw was its sound. Here is how people caught bad coins by ear.

Snow Closed the Sierra. A Farmer on 10-Foot Skis Carried California’s Mail Anyway.

California, Historical Facts

In 1856 John A. Thompson began skiing the mail 90 miles over the Sierra from Placerville, California, with no blanket and no overcoat.

How Do You Play Polo With Ford Cars? Fargo, North Dakota, Found Out in 1913

Historical Facts, North Dakota

In August 1913 Fargo, North Dakota, saw its first auto polo game: two stripped-down Ford cars, a mallet man on each, and a basketball painted white.

How a Man in Colfax, Washington, Planned to Stretch Wrinkles Away While You Slept

Historical Facts, Washington

In 1904 William B. Hargrave of Colfax, Washington, patented a head harness of sticky cloth and straps to stretch wrinkles away while you slept.

He Bet Against Lincoln, So He Pushed 750 Oysters From Providence, Rhode Island, to Boston

Historical Facts, Massachusetts

In 1864 Joshua Hobart bet against Lincoln and lost. He paid by wheeling 750 oysters 40 miles from Providence to Boston, then kept betting for 20 years.

A Pilot Trailed Fire Across the Night Sky Over Richmond, Virginia

Historical Facts, Virginia

In October 1915 Art Smith flew over the Virginia State Fair in Richmond at night with fireworks wired to his plane, trailing fire like a comet.

The First Airship Over Arizona Sent Downtown Phoenix Pouring Into the Streets

Arizona, Historical Facts

In November 1908 Roy Knabenshue flew the first airship over Arizona. Doubting Phoenix crowds poured into the streets shouting There’s the airship!

A Fisherman in Boston, Massachusetts, Caught a Haddock With Three Eyes

Historical Facts, Massachusetts

In October 1927 a Boston, Massachusetts, schooner landed a haddock with three eyes. Crowds came to the Fish Pier to see it, and papers ran it coast to coast.