WEIRD

Up in the Air: When ‘Balloon Boy’ Took Flight

In 2009, the world was captivated by a little boy seemingly trapped in a runaway aircraft. As a new Netflix documentary reveals, the truth was a lot stranger.

15 of the World’s Funkiest Fungi

There's a big wide world beyond common molds and mushrooms—and some of it is very strange.

Villa Baviera was originally a Germany colony known as Colonia Dignidad.

10 Failed Utopias

Inspiring to imagine but nightmarish to live in, these failed communes have become cautionary tales in hubris and ego.

6 Strange Animal Evolutions

From the long legs of the jerboa to basically everything about the duck-billed platypus, evolution has taken some weird turns.

7 Explosive Fart Controversies

Discover some of history's most hilarious—and unforgettable—controversies that were caused by farts, including regime changes in Ancient Egypt and more.

Who would have thought a woodpecker could be so destructive.

Locals Shield Their Cars From Vandal Woodpecker in Rockport, Massachusetts

A territorial woodpecker has broken dozens of car mirrors in a bizarre springtime rampage.

The road through the Guyanese jungle leading to the Jonestown compound.

A Brief History of the Jonestown Massacre

Congressman Leo Ryan went to Guyana in 1978 to investigate reports of American cult leader Jim Jones holding hundreds of his followers captive. Ryan didn't make it out of Jonestown alive.

7 Cases of Alleged Spontaneous Human Combustion

The cause of death in these mysterious cases has, at one time or another, been reported as spontaneous human combustion—but there was often a more realistic explanation.

Popeye’s New Pickle Menu Includes Pickle Glaze Wings and Briny Lemonade

The pickle menu was originally conceived as an April Fool’s joke, but now it’s very real.

KFC’s Finger Lickin’ Toothpaste Tastes Just Like Chicken

The toothpaste brand Hismile and KFC teamed up for a toothpaste that allegedly tastes like the original recipe. Would you brush with it?

Dead whales were once thought to have health benefits.

Blubber Bath: When Dead Whale Carcasses Were Used as Health Cures

In 1890s Australia, chronic pain sufferers flocked to a cure: a rotting whale corpse.

10 April Fools’ Pranks That Went Horribly Awry

Everyone loves a good April Fools’ prank—unless it results in armed law enforcement surrounding your home.

The 10 States Most Likely to Survive an Alien Invasion

Did your state make the list of state most likely to endure an extraterrestrial encounter?

9 Bizarre Things People Found Inside Their Walls

From valuable paintings to dirty underwear, there’s no telling what could be lurking behind the sheetrock.

The Story Behind the World’s Oldest (Pet) Ham

It’s 123 years old. Oh, and it’s still edible.

King Henry with Cardinal Wolsey, circa 1528.

A 16th-Century Guide to Pooping at King Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace

Discover how King Henry VIII and other members of the Tudor nobility handled going to the bathroom in the mid-1500s. (Spoiler: There was velvet involved, but it still wasn’t pretty.)

Would you spend a few bucks on some gently used homing pigeons?

5 of the Most Bizarre Auctions in History

Almost anything can be put up for auction. Bidding on collectibles is one thing, but these five auctions offered items you won’t find on eBay.

12 Weird Things That Have Washed Ashore

From a bag of human hands to LEGO bricks and rubber duckies, some very weird things have washed up on the world's beaches.

Meet Whitetop, the Oldest Living Llama - Guinness World Records

27-Year-Old Therapy Llama Is Officially the Oldest of His Species

Whitetop the therapy llama just celebrated a record-breaking birthday.

Japan Is Now Home to the World’s Smallest Park

Oregon‘s Mill Ends Park is no longer the smallest in the world. The title now belongs to a park in Nagaizumi Town, Japan.

The Story Behind the Giant Inflatable Union Rat

If you're from a town with a strong union presence, you know that if new commercial construction happens without union labor, protests often follow.

Meet “Cheetozard,” the Pokémon-Shaped Cheeto That Sold For More Than $80,000

A one-of-a-kind spicy Cheeto, shaped like Charizard, has become a viral sensation, selling for an unbelievable price at auction.

Grab Your Antacid and Try These Extra Flamin’ Hot Cookie Dough and Gelato Bites

Satisfy your cookie dough and spice cravings at the same time.

Rate of Inflation: Cleveland's Great Balloon Incident of 1986

A record-setting launch of 1.5 million helium balloons was fun until it wasn’t.