Desperation pies, recognized for their economical and readily available filling ingredients, gained their popularity amid financial depressions, World Wars, and prior to the advent of refrigeration. Different types of these pies, such as Green tomato pie, Shoofly pie, Chess pie, and Vinegar pies, were commonly prepared during these challenging times.
Survival at Sea: A Month with Ketchup and Seasonings
Elvis Francois, a 47-year-old sailor from Dominica, managed to survive almost a month stranded at sea, with ketchup and seasonings as his only source of sustenance. In December 2022, while carrying out repairs on his vessel near St. Martin, unforeseen currents swept him out to the open sea. Losing his signal, he was cut off from the outside world, unable to call for assistance.
With no food aboard, Francois had to improvise to survive. He mixed ketchup with garlic powder and Maggi seasoning cubes, using water to create an improvised meal. He also ingeniously collected rainwater on a cloth for hydration.
Despite efforts to light a fire for a distress signal, he was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he crafted a “HELP” sign on his boat’s hull and tried to catch the attention of passing planes by reflecting the sun’s rays off a mirror. After 24 days of this maritime ordeal, he was finally located by the Colombian Navy, approximately 120 nautical miles northwest of La Guajira.
Francois was rescued and transported to Cartagena, where he was given the necessary medical care after his epic survival feat.
Iceland’s Million-Dollar Kids Show: The Global Success of ‘LazyTown’
The early 21st-century children’s program “LazyTown,” produced by Nickelodeon, was not only recorded in Iceland but also held the distinction of being among the most expensive children’s shows ever created, with a staggering budget of nearly $1 million per episode. Despite the hefty production costs, the show gained widespread acclaim, ultimately being translated into numerous languages and marketed internationally. Interestingly, even though the show was initially performed in English, it was eventually dubbed into Icelandic, with the original cast members providing the voiceovers.
The Fruit Machine: Canada’s Controversial Attempt to Identify Homosexuals in the Public Service during the 50s and 60s
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Canadian government, military, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police utilized a technology known as “the fruit machine“. This machine was employed as a tool in their efforts to identify homosexual men in the public service. Individuals were required to watch adult content as the machine tracked changes in pupil size, sweat production, and heart rate.