The Hellish History Of St. Patrick’s Purgatory
Saint Patrick’s involvement with the grisly gateway to Hell, and the monastery built above it, dates back quite a long time.
Posts in category Vintage + Historical Oddities
All the bizarre, seldom seen, and utterly delightfully odd and strange people, places and stories from a bygone era
Did John F. Kennedy’s Back Brace Cost Him His Life?
Was this supportive device potentially a contributing factor to his death?
From Military Tactic To 90s Bedroom Staple: The History Of Inflatable Furniture
Will inflatable furniture make a revival, or does practicality outweigh nostalgia?
The Iron Maiden: Torture Device Or Sin-Cleanser?
Whether the Iron Maiden of Nuremberg was really used or not is impossible to say, but the strength of the legend around it speaks for itself.
The Fascinating (And Sometimes Bloody) History Of Roller Coasters
What’s next for roller coasters? Well, the sky is the limit for the ultimate scream machines.
Oscar Wilde And The Creation Of Celebrity Cancel Culture
The Irish writer and master of witticism whose thirst for attention and ultimate social disgrace set the stage for celebrity culture as we know it.
The 17th-Century Plan To Trade With Aliens On The Moon
Early astronomer John Herschel reported seeing winged people inhabiting the Moon through his telescope.
The Curious Case Of The Missing Color Blue
Studies of ancient texts have shown that humans didn’t really “see” blue until modern times!
Hetty Green: Witch Of Wall Street Or Feminine Finance Icon?
Hetty single-handedly accumulated somewhere between $100 to $200 million—or $2 to $5 billion today.
The Lincolns Brought Spiritualism And Seances To The White House
Historians hypothesize that perhaps the séance was a publicity stunt to show the president in a more “everyday man” light.