In 1981 the Manchester Guardian convinced readers that scientists at Britain's research labs in Pershore had "developed a machine to control the weather." The article said that "Britain will gain the immediate benefit of long summers, with rainfall only at night, and the Continent will have whatever Pershore decides to send it." Readers were also assured that the scientists would ensure that it snowed every Christmas in Britain.
In 2000 the British Daily Mail reported that Esporta Health Clubs had designed a new line of socks to help people lose weight. Named "FatSox," these socks could actually suck body fat out of sweating feet and promised to "banish fat forever." As a person's body heat rose and their blood vessels dilated, the socks would draw "excess lipid from the body through the sweat." After having sweated out the fat, the wearer could then simply remove the socks and wash them, and the fat, away.
A huge party was thrown at Jeff Koon's New York Studio in 1998 to honor the memory of the late, great American artist Nat Tate, the troubled abstract expressionist who ruined 99 percent of his own work before jumping to his death from the Staten Island ferry. At the party David Bowie read selections from William Boyd's soon-to-be released biography of Tate, "Nat Tate: An American Artist, 1928-1960." Critics in the audience murmured comments about Tate's work as they enjoyed their drinks. The only problem was that Tate never really existed - he was the satirical creation of William Boyd. Bowie, Boyd, and Boyd's publisher were the only ones in on the joke.
In March 1860 many people throughout London received the following invitation: "Tower of LondonAdmit Bearer and Friend to view annual ceremony of Washing the White Lions on Sunday, April 1, 1860. Admittance only at White Gate. It is particularly requested that no gratuities be given to wardens or attendants." By noon on April 1 a large crowd had reportedly gathered outside the tower. But of course, lions hadn't been kept in the tower for centuries, particularly not white lions. The crowd gradually snuck away disappointed.
In 2000 the British Daily Mail reported that Esporta Health Clubs had designed a new line of socks to help people lose weight. Named "FatSox," these socks could actually suck body fat out of sweating feet and promised to "banish fat forever." As a person's body heat rose and their blood vessels dilated, the socks would draw "excess lipid from the body through the sweat." After having sweated out the fat, the wearer could then simply remove the socks and wash them, and the fat, away.
A huge party was thrown at Jeff Koon's New York Studio in 1998 to honor the memory of the late, great American artist Nat Tate, the troubled abstract expressionist who ruined 99 percent of his own work before jumping to his death from the Staten Island ferry. At the party David Bowie read selections from William Boyd's soon-to-be released biography of Tate, "Nat Tate: An American Artist, 1928-1960." Critics in the audience murmured comments about Tate's work as they enjoyed their drinks. The only problem was that Tate never really existed - he was the satirical creation of William Boyd. Bowie, Boyd, and Boyd's publisher were the only ones in on the joke.
In March 1860 many people throughout London received the following invitation: "Tower of LondonAdmit Bearer and Friend to view annual ceremony of Washing the White Lions on Sunday, April 1, 1860. Admittance only at White Gate. It is particularly requested that no gratuities be given to wardens or attendants." By noon on April 1 a large crowd had reportedly gathered outside the tower. But of course, lions hadn't been kept in the tower for centuries, particularly not white lions. The crowd gradually snuck away disappointed.