14 Bizarre News Stories From the Pre-Internet Era
Before the web ruled our lives, newspapers were full of odd, jaw-dropping stories that spread by word of mouth and evening broadcasts.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Long before clickbait headlines and viral tweets, strange stories still managed to capture the public’s imagination. From flying cats to mysterious rainfalls, the pre-internet world had its fair share of baffling news that people read over their morning coffee. These tales were often forgotten, but their weirdness still holds up today.
1. The Great Molasses Flood (1919)
Tractorboy60 on Wikimedia Commons
In Boston, a giant storage tank burst, sending a wave of sticky molasses through the streets at 35 mph. It flattened buildings, flipped wagons, and killed 21 people.
2. The Phantom Barber of Pascagoula (1942)
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Residents of Mississippi were gripped with fear when someone began sneaking into homes and cutting women’s hair while they slept. No one was seriously harmed, but the intruder left behind strands of freshly snipped locks.
3. Exploding Whale Incident (1970)
PookieFugglestein on Wikimedia Commons
In Oregon, officials tried to dispose of a rotting whale carcass by blowing it up with dynamite. The result? Giant chunks of blubber rained down on cars and onlookers.
4. Rain of Frogs in Kansas City (1873)
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Out of nowhere, a thunderstorm dumped thousands of frogs onto the streets. Scientists at the time guessed a waterspout sucked them from a nearby pond.
5. The Dancing Plague of 1518
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In Strasbourg, dozens of people began dancing uncontrollably in the streets and couldn’t stop for days. Some collapsed from exhaustion, and a few reportedly died. No one could agree on the cause, ranging from mass hysteria to toxic mold.
6. Green Children of Woolpit (12th Century)
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Two strange children with green skin appeared in an English village speaking an unknown language. They claimed to come from a subterranean world and wouldn’t eat regular food at first. Over time, they adapted. However, one died, and the other lost her green hue.
7. The Airship Mystery (1896-97)
Prototyperspective on Wikimedia Commons
Americans across multiple states reported seeing large airships flying silently overhead, before airplanes were even a thing. Witnesses described strange lights, odd symbols, and even encounters with human-like pilots.
8. The Mad Gasser of Mattoon (1944)
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In Illinois, people claimed a mysterious figure was gassing neighborhoods, causing nausea and paralysis. Despite dozens of reports, no physical evidence or suspects were ever found.
9. The Cardiff Giant Hoax (1869)
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A 10-foot stone “giant” was unearthed in New York, causing a media frenzy. People paid to see it, convinced it was a petrified prehistoric man. It turns out it was a carved fake planted by a cigar maker.
10. The London Beer Flood (1814)
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A massive vat burst in a brewery, unleashing over 300,000 gallons of beer into the streets. It demolished homes and killed at least eight people. Survivors described a river of beer sweeping them off their feet.
11. The Great Emu War (1932)
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Australia literally went to war with emus invading farmland. The military brought machine guns, and still lost. The birds outran and outmaneuvered the soldiers.
12. The Disappearance of the Sodder Children (1945)
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On Christmas Eve, five children vanished during a house fire in West Virginia, but no remains were found. Their parents believed they were kidnapped, especially after odd clues surfaced.
13. The Pope Who Tried to Crown a Corpse (897 AD)
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Pope Stephen VI had his predecessor’s corpse exhumed, dressed in papal robes, and put on trial. The body was found guilty, stripped of its title, and tossed into the Tiber River.
14. The Time It Rained Meat in Kentucky (1876)
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Chunks of raw meat reportedly fell from the sky over a farm in Olympia Springs. Witnesses claimed it looked like beef, though no one could agree on what kind.