Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 389
September 18, 2017
September 17, 2017
September 16, 2017
September 15, 2017
Snot Otters and a Chainsaw-Wielding Nun in Florida
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
[September 10-16, 2017] Snot otters are released into an Ohio river, a cat circus finds homes for over 200 adoptees, and a chainsaw-wielding nun is spotted in Florida.
5. Can a Monkey Own a Photo?
In a story that started over a year ago, the lawsuit over who owns this monkey’s selfie is over. The camera owner, after being besieged by lawsuits from PETA, has settled the case by agreeing to donate 25% of the photo’s proceeds to charities dedicated to protecting crested macaques.
4. Snot Otters Released into Ohio Rivers
As part of the effort to repopulate the Cryptobranchus alleganiensis in Ohio, teams of scientists are releasing the salamanders popularly known as “snot otters” into Ohio rivers. The species has seen an 82% decline in recent years according to Ohio University conservationists. By reintroducing the salamanders, they hope to one day take these “lasagna lizards” (another nickname for them) off the endangered species list.
3. Sharks Found Swimming in New York Basement
Don’t let the headline fool you, these sharks were swimming in a pool in a New York Basement. Seven live sandbar sharks were seized, along with two dead leopard sharks and one dead hammerhead shark. They were all relocated to nearby aquariums.
DEC found more than half a dozen #sharks in a basement pool in the #HudsonValley: https://t.co/bXXz4JRqrk pic.twitter.com/zkItNuvzqu
— NYSDEC (@NYSDEC) September 7, 2017
2. Acrocrats Help Rescue Over 200 Cats!
We got the chance to meet Samantha Martin and the Acrocats a couple months ago when we covered the Rock Cats, but as their tour continued, they kept matching homeless kittens with their forever homes. As of this week, they’re responsible for rescuing over 200 cats!
1. Chainsaw-Wielding Nun
In the aftermath of hurricane Irma, everyone in Florida is pitching in to get the debris cleared, including Sister Margaret Ann. The nun had no problem cranking up a chainsaw and clearing trees in her black habit.
Living Dangerously with Half-Man Short E.
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Short E. Dangerously has traveled the globe, wowing audiences with acrobatic feats, fire-breathing, and glass-walking—on his hands!
“When I set [the glass] on fire before I jump into it, that’s when people are the most shocked, the most in disbelief. I’ve actually seen a woman crying as I get ready to jump off the chair into the pile that’s on fire; she was right in front of me and she was literally crying because she was so afraid for me.”
Starting out with Ward Hall’s World of Wonders, Short E. now travel’s full-time with the Hellzapoppin sideshow.
He was two years old when a condition led to the amputation of both his legs. Short E.’s “half-man” sideshow status can be attributed to the legendary Johnny Eck, an early twentieth-century performer who was also billed as a “half-man.” Eck was famous in his day, and even performed at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
“Johnny is a personal hero of mine. He paved the way for guys like me. I hope to live up to his legacy and surpass it at the same time. I know that he never did fire breathing or glass walking or any of that stuff. But back in those days being an oddity and a freak—that was enough and now it’s not enough. You’ve got to be a performer, too. You’ve got to have a skill set. You’ve got to have the personality, the charisma and stage presence.”
Short E. Dangerously (left), Johnny Eck (right)
Catch Short E. on YouTube, in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Shatter Your Senses! and on tour with Hellzapoppin!
September 14, 2017
Or Not: George Washington’s Teeth Were Wooden?
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Or Not
In today’s world many misconceptions have been perpetuated—becoming modern day “facts”—when, in reality, myths and hearsay have taken over. Sorry to burst your bubble, but in this weekly column, Ripley’s puts those delusions to the test, turning your world upside down, because you can’t always…Believe It!
Today: George Washington’s Teeth
Did George Washington Have Wooden Teeth?
We’ve all heard the story of George Washington, the Founding Father who led America’s colonies to victory in 1781, having wooden teeth. It reminds us that even the greatest heroes have flaws. Some stories even say he carved his teeth himself, a reflection of the admirable ability for a person to solve their own problems. While these are great lessons, are they true?
Dentures
Washington owned several pairs of dentures throughout his life, and they were made from a variety of materials, including lead, zinc, copper, ivory, cow teeth, and even other people’s teeth. He details the purchase of 9 teeth from slaves for an equivalent of seven cents per tooth. While that may seem barbaric, buying teeth from people was common practice during this time.
By the time Washington became president, only one of his teeth remained, and he was given a pair of dentures carved from hippopotamus ivory with gold wire and brass springs. When Washington finally lost his final tooth, he gave it to his dentist, John Greenwood, for his services.
Washington’s dentures are obvious to historians in paintings, creating a noticeable bulge to his lips. Few sets of his dentures survive, but many of Washington’s teeth are held in museums in America.
The Wood Myth
Some historians think the myth of Washington’s wooden teeth helped make him relatable to the common man who wouldn’t have been able to afford ivory and human dentures. The rumor might have even spread during Washington’s time because he was so secretive about his teeth.
Twentieth-century historians also fell for the wooden teeth myth, mistaking the grain texture on ivory caused by staining as wood. Washington’s dentist even warned Washington that his dentures were becoming black and stained.
“Port wine, being sour, takes off the polish.” -Greenwood, Washington’s dentist.
Washington’s Teeth
Washington lost his first tooth at age 24 years old and would face a lifetime of dental agony. He constantly experienced toothaches, tooth decay, and regularly lost teeth. While dentistry of the era was relatively poor, Washington is thought to have had some hereditary tooth problems as well.
Letters and diary entries referenced his teeth many times, describing pain associated with aching teeth, lost teeth, inflamed gums, and ill-fitting dentures. Washington became obsessed with dealing with his tooth problems, buying all sorts of medical devices, including teeth files, medications, cleaners, and state of the art dentures.
A State Secret
Washington enlisted the services of many leading dentists. He had dentures made prior to the Revolutionary War, and would eventually enlist the help of a French dentist, Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur, who had worked on many British officer’s teeth.
During the War, Washington’s search for dental supplies actually ended up misleading the British Army. Washington’s teeth were treated as a state secret, but a letter of his, requesting dental files, was intercepted by the British in 1781. A mention that he “would not be in Philadelphia soon” made General Sir Henry Clinton slow to mobilize while the Revolutionary Army secured the War’s victory in Yorktown.
September 13, 2017
September 12, 2017
Canada’s Strange Gopher Hole Museum
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
If you are visiting Torrington, Alberta, Canada, there is only one thing to do. Home to less than 200 residents, but 11 fire hydrants painted to look like gophers and a giant statue of Clem T. GoFur, all signs point to the Torrington Gopher Hole Museum.
Opening in 1996, the Torrington Gopher Hole Museum features dozens of stuffed gophers posed to depict the history and daily life of the town. The rodents (actually Richardson’s ground squirrels) are featured in around 50 tiny, elaborately painted dioramas—some dressed as fishermen, firefighters, a barber, a pastor, and even a bank robber!
For only $2 (cue Sarah McLachlan) you can visit 77 gophers in 47 different displays!
Sensing You Want More?
Filled with remarkable photos and over 1,500 all new—all true—stories to immerse yourself in, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Shatter Your Senses! is the newest book in the bestselling series from Ripley Publishing—so incredible you won’t believe your eyes…or ears…or nose!
Spark your senses here, on the blog, weekly for a feature from the 2018 annual, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Shatter Your Senses! and follow us on social media for a chance to win a copy, among other unbelievable prizes!
Clem T. GoFur. CC Eileen Mak via Flickr
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