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
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.

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.


#29: New Zealand Wasp Swarm
In 1949 Phil Shone, a New Zealand deejay for radio station 1ZB, announced to his listeners that a mile-wide wasp swarm was headed towards Auckland. He urged them to take a variety of steps to protect themselves and their homes from the winged menace. For instance, he suggested that they wear their socks over their trousers when they left for work, and that they leave honey-smeared traps outside their doors. Hundreds of people dutifully heeded his advice, until he finally admitted that it had all been a joke. The New Zealand Broadcasting Service was not amused by Shone's prank. Its director, Professor James Shelley, denounced the hoax on the grounds that it undermined the rules of proper broadcasting. From then on, a memo was sent out each year before April Fool's Day reminding New Zealand radio stations of their obligation to report the truth, and nothing but the truth.

Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 1 of 1 pages
Spoil sports who have no sense of humour.
Posted by Clive Reddin  in  Toronto, Canada  on  Sat Dec 18, 2004  at  11:33 PM
Some years later, Phil Shone was sacked for (my memory is a bit vague) referring to ``kicking a polar bear down an `ice-hole' ''!
Posted by Ray Mackintosh  in  UK  on  Mon Mar 21, 2005  at  09:06 AM
Who the crap would believe that?
Posted by Hunt  on  Wed Mar 30, 2005  at  04:26 PM
Pssshhh... Leave it to the fuzz to ruin a funny thing.
Posted by Auds  on  Mon Apr 04, 2005  at  11:50 AM
New Zealand- what a bunch of stiffs!
Posted by Jen  in  Houston, TX  on  Wed Mar 22, 2006  at  01:29 PM
vampire We are not all a buncha stiffs! big surprise Heaps of us have the hugest senses of humour wink
Posted by Sandy  in  New Zealand  on  Sat Apr 01, 2006  at  08:45 PM
Well remember it was 1949 and radio still had a very powerful influence on people then. Phil was my 2nd cousin and had a great sense of humour and could always bring a smile to your face. He was well loved by many NZers.
Posted by Bruce  in  New Zealand  on  Mon Apr 03, 2006  at  05:31 AM
HEY! I THINK THAT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING I HAVE HEARD IN MY LIFE! AND TRUST ME! ANY1 WHO GETS FIRED FOR DOING THAT...........GOOD TO THEM! STAND UP IN WUT U BELIEVE IN! HECK YES!;) smile
Posted by Erikya  in  somewhere  on  Thu Apr 13, 2006  at  07:32 PM
What a bunch of boring tossers, Get a life this is a good example of why the world is so messed up... Have a laugh for God sake........ Mind you I may of done all that was said as I hate wasps with a vengence...
Posted by Tom Thorne  in  UK  on  Thu Aug 24, 2006  at  03:09 PM
thats really funny! New Zealand is the coolest place ever!! i love new zealand-i want to move there(not because of this joke)
Posted by Claire  in  US  on  Sat Apr 14, 2007  at  11:35 AM
This hoax geniuely terrifed people. It was NZ's War of the Worlds (which goes to show how it happens everywhere). My grandmother still remembered it decades later.

This is a great list overall.
Posted by Agog  in  NZ  on  Mon Mar 31, 2008  at  07:29 PM
Page 1 of 1 pages

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