About the Museum
The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoaxipedia (the museum's online encyclopedia of hoaxes), and the Hoax Forum.

The museum was created in 1997 by Alex Boese. He's assisted by a staff of deputy curators and docents. Alex is the author of three books, most recently Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments (which has nothing to do with hoaxes). Check out the list of the Top 20 Most Bizarre Experiments of All Time for a preview.



Web Hoax Museum

Prankplace.com
THE TOILET MONSTER
Your wife will never yell at you about leaving the seat up again! The Toilet Monster attaches to the inside of the toilet bowl by suction cups. As the unsuspecting person goes to use the bathroom, they'll scream as they lift the lid and are greeted by the Toilet Monster! Not recommended for the elderly or those with a weak heart.

REMOTE CONTROL FART MACHINE
The Brand New Fart Machine has “BoomBox” Technology, which allows more vibrant, natural sounding farts. Simply hide the little speaker, then from up to 100 feet away, press the included remote, and the hidden speaker lets out one of 15 disgusting fart sounds. Place under your co-workers desk, and let the laughter begin.


#4: The Taco Liberty Bell
Taco Liberty Bell1996: The Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.
Read the full article about the Taco Liberty Bell.

Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 1 of 3 pages  1 2 3 >
Looks like pretty good advertising campaign.
Posted by d2s  in  Finland  on  Mon Mar 15, 2004  at  11:50 AM
This is the one that made me laugh out loud! Three cheers to Mike McCurry for his sense of humor.
Posted by Connie  in  Upstate NY  on  Wed Mar 24, 2004  at  08:48 PM
lol!!!! i was almost dying. so impressed with american's sense of humor..
Posted by Apollo  in  Daegu city, Korea  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  12:28 AM
I remember this story now that I read it here. That is a classic.
Posted by Dean Esmay  in  Michigan, USA  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  05:16 AM
Not that mighty clever with Taco Bell, hehehe.
Posted by ped  in  Canada eh?  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  07:14 AM
The stories of these clever advertising hoaxes may last longer the companies themselves,and the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial comeback,Priceless....
Posted by John  in  Boston  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  09:18 AM
LOL! This is my favorite of the top 20! The Taco Liberty Bell, and then the White House rep being cool enough to pull out with the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial, LOL. So great!
Posted by Jennifer  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  09:44 AM
GREAT PRANK!
Posted by Alma-Yu  in  USA  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  03:03 PM
GOOD PRANK!
Posted by Jen  in  North Carolina  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  03:22 PM
Do you think it humorous to make fun of a cherished icon? Do you? You people must have derangment.
Posted by pablo  in  Indonesia I think  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  03:25 PM
Hahaha Good prank Best one.
Posted by Emily  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  05:15 PM
cherished icon ? i pity the fanatics..
Posted by jkkj  in  jkkj  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  08:22 PM
OMG -- Americans are sooo gulible!!
Posted by OMG  on  Sat Apr 03, 2004  at  11:28 AM
This is the best, because it is both utterly ridiculous (how could anyone believe this?) and simultaneously all too (terrifyingly) plausible.
Posted by Carl  on  Tue May 11, 2004  at  06:22 PM
This one is the best - should be #1!
Posted by Tim, Los Angeles, CA  in  Los Angeles, CA  on  Sun Aug 22, 2004  at  02:56 PM
i agree with you carl..very good point..as is what i thought also... smile
Posted by Kimberly  in  between heaven and hell  on  Mon Mar 28, 2005  at  01:40 PM
Can't believe people could be so dumb to believe this!! Get Real!!!
Posted by HBA  in  Orem  on  Tue Mar 29, 2005  at  07:51 AM
That was a really good one!
Posted by erin  in  CA  on  Tue Mar 29, 2005  at  11:49 AM
I luv dat 1! Sooooo hilarious. I cannot belive ppl would believe this!

Why didnt i think of it???lol smile
Posted by Pimpzilla  on  Wed Mar 30, 2005  at  04:41 PM
I remember this one...
Posted by Ashley  in  CT  on  Thu Mar 31, 2005  at  08:28 PM
Page 1 of 3 pages  1 2 3 >

Name:

Email (if you want to be notified of responses):

Location:

URL:

Note: To prove that you're a human being, not an automated spam bot, you've got to type in the word you see below. If you register as a member of the site you won't have to do this. Once registered, you'll then also need to login. If you're seeing this notice, and you've already registered, that means you haven't logged in. As a member you also won't have to enter your personal info every time you leave a comment.

Submit the word you see below:


Smileys

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?