Here’s a fun post for April Fool’s Day that has nothing whatsoever to do with eco-friendly living or parenting. Enjoy this list of some of the best April Fool’s Day pranks in history. Make sure to click on the “read more” links to get all the details from the Museum of Hoaxes.
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The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest of 1957
A British news show broadcast a story about a bumper crop of spaghetti in Switzerland. Their phony video footage of people pulling pasta off tree branches had hordes of callers inquiring about how to grow a spaghetti tree. Read more.
Image from hoaxes.org
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The Taco Liberty Bell of 1996
A full-page ad appearing in six major U.S. newspapers announced that Taco Bell had purchased the historic Liberty Bell, renaming it as “Taco Liberty Bell.” Thousands of irate citizens hounded Philadelphia’s National Park Service until Taco Bell fessed up to the hoax. Read more.
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The Left-Handed Whopper of 1998
Not to be outdone by Taco Bell, Burger King introduced the “left-handed Whopper” to their menu. Ads claimed the new Whopper included all the original ingredients but rotated the condiments 180 degrees to benefit America’s left-handed citizens. Burger Kings everywhere were inundated with requests for the special burger as well as demands for a right-handed burger. Read more.
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The Loch Ness Monster Corpse of 1972
A British zoo employee played a prank by tossing a dead 15-foot-long bull elephant seal into Loch Ness where it was discovered by his colleagues and made national headlines within hours. Read more.
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The Eruption of Mt. Edgecombe, 1974
Terrified Alaskan residents woke up to black smoke spewing from Mt. Edgecombe, a long-dormant volcano. The Coast Guard pilot sent to investigate the matter found an enormous pile of tires burning inside the crater with the words “April Fool” painted nearby. Read more.
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Drunk Driving on the Internet, 1994
An article described Congressional bill SB 040194 that would make it illegal to drink alcohol or discuss sexual matters on the “Information Highway.” Passage of the bill was felt to be certain because “Who wants to come out and support drunkenness and computer sex?” Read more.
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The Great Comic Strip Switcheroonie of 1997
Fans of the funnies found their favorite comics in all the wrong places when 46 artists conspired to take over each other’s strips for the day. Garfield’s artist took over Blondie, Dilbert entered into Family Circus and everyone got confused. Read more.
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Smellovision of 1965
A BBC interview with a London professor introduced “smellovision” -– technology that allowed viewers to experience the odors on their TV screen. A number of viewers called in to confirm that they could indeed smell the onions and coffee in the BBC’s demonstration. Read more.
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Nixon for President, 1992
NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” program broadcast Richard Nixon’s decision to run for president under the slogan: “I didn’t do anything wrong, and I won’t do it again.” NPR was flooded with outraged phone calls. The phony audio clips were delivered by impersonator Rich Little. Read more.
