These Weird Historical Trends Probably Wouldn't Catch On Today

Goldfish Swallowing

Some people's taste for seafood is more intense than others. Beginning in the 1930s, swallowing a goldfish became a common occurrence at college parties and truth-or-dare games. No hazing was complete without it! It got so bad that the practice was banned, which only made it more popular with young people. 

Flagpole Sitting

 Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly sat on flagpoles for several uninterrupted days at a time, making the otherwise unknown sport of flagpole sitting a national phenomenon during the '20s and '30s. Kids across America and the UK sat on top of the neighborhood flagpole to prove their physical prowess. They even held competitions to see who would last the longest and maybe beat Alvin's record. Perhaps this is where Harvey Danger got the idea for his song "Flagpole Sitta"...

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The More You Know

  • The speed of a computer mouse is measured in "Mickeys."
  • There's a Russian village where every resident is a tightrope walker.
  • There are castles for sale in France that cost less than a two-bedroom apartment in Australia.
  • Video games help surgeons perform better.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.