 |
|
| FORUM | REGISTER | LOGIN | HOAXIPEDIA | TOP 100 APRIL FOOLS | COLLEGE PRANKS | ABOUT THE CURATOR | CONTACT |
| A HISTORY OF HOAXES | HOAX WEBSITES | HOAX PHOTOS | HOAX PHOTO TESTS | GULLIBILITY TESTS | TALL-TALE CREATURES |
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.
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.Prankplace.com
FUNNY T-SHIRTSBrowse our top quality t-shirts, and you are guaranteed to find one perfect for you, or to give as a funny gift to a friend or family member. Our shirts come in your choice of sizes, most are available in Medium, Large, XL, 2XL and 3XL.
COVERT CLICKERSecretly control the TV, anywhere, any time! This device is so small it is easily concealed in your pocket. It can control volume, change the channel or turn the TV on & off. It works on 90% of all TV's.
#27: 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
We are not all a buncha stiffs! 
Heaps of us have the hugest senses of humour 
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!;)
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