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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Few April Fools hoaxes for the record books.
        
(Message started by: burnt-toast on Apr 1^st, 2007, 9:55am)

Title: Few April Fools hoaxes for the record books.
Post by burnt-toast on Apr 1^st, 2007, 9:55am

Just goes to show how gullible people can be.

In 1998 hundreds showed up in Baltimore's Inner Harbor hoping to receive some free gold. They had heard on WQSR's morning show that a box full of gold coins had been found hidden inside the decking of the old sailing vessel the Constellation, which was on display at the harbor. After using some of the gold to pay for repairs to the ship, the management of the Constellation Restoration Committee had decided to give the rest away to Maryland residents. Anyone showing up with a valid Maryland driver's license would be given a free gold coin. And show up they did, many driving miles to get there (and paying to park at the harbor, in addition). In fact, the Constellation Restoration Committee hadn't existed for over twenty years.

In 1987 a Los Angeles disc jockey announced that on April 8 the LA highway system would be shut down for repairs for an entire month. This was alarming news in LA where it's necessary to use the highway to get almost anywhere. The radio station immediately received hundreds of frantic calls in response to the announcement, and the California Highway Patrol reported that they were also flooded with calls throughout the day. The station later admitted that it was stunned by the intensity of the public reaction to the hoax. A representative from the California Department of Transportation called the station's managers to share their opinion of the prank. Reportedly "they didn't think it was very funny."

Carolyn Fox, a disc jockey for WHJY in Providence, Rhode Island, announced in 1986 that the 'Providence Labor Action Relations Board Committee' had decided to close the city for the day. She gave out a number for listeners to call for more information. The number was that of a rival station, WPRO-AM. Reportedly hundreds of people called WPRO, as well as City Hall and the police. Even more called into their offices to see if they had to go into work. WHJY management later explained that it had never imagined its joke would have such a dramatic impact on the city.

Burger King, another American fast-food chain, published a full-page advertisement in USA Today in 1998 announcing the introduction of the "Left-Handed Whopper," specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new burger included the same ingredients as the original, but the condiments were rotated 180 degrees. The chain said it received thousands of requests for the new burger, as well as orders for the original "right-handed" version.

Noted British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on the radio in 1976 that at 9:47 am, a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event, in which Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, would cause a gravitational alignment that would reduce the Earth's gravity. Moore told listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment of the planetary alignment, they would experience a floating sensation. Hundreds of people called in to report feeling the sensation.

Title: Re: Few April Fools hoaxes for the record books.
Post by kimmiedawn81 on Apr 1^st, 2007, 11:23am

I just got had by a friend telling me he was engaged. Which, if you knew my friend, would be a big shock, even though he has a long-time girlfriend.

Damn! I am so gullible!