Diplomacy and Foreign Relations
The Pepsi Navy
In 1989, Pepsi bought 17 submarines from the Soviet Union. This briefly put it in control of the seventh-largest fleet of attack submarines in the world.Foreign Policy magazine delves into the history of this strange transaction, which has apparently risen to the status of urban legend in foreign policy circles. (The urban legend is that the deal briefly gave Pepsi the sixth-largest military fleet in the world — not true).
The gist of the story is that Pepsi had a long-standing relationship with the Soviet Union, having an exclusive deal to sell American soft drinks there. So when the Soviet Union was looking to sell some old submarines for scrap metal, Pepsi agreed to act as a middleman, passing the subs along to a Norwegian shipping firm. In return, Pepsi got expanded access to the Soviet market.
More details: foreignpolicy.com
Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 16, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Boats, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Soda, Pop, Soft Drinks and other Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 1980s
How to hold a press conference
Chico Enterprise-Record - June 7, 1972
Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 09, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Officials, 1970s
Henry Kissinger, Weatherman
Henry Kissinger fulfilling his dream of being a weatherman.Info: Orlando Sentinel, May 15 1991
Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 01, 2021 -
Comments (5)
Category: Television, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, 1990s, Weather
Conscience Adherent Paradise Government
For a very brief time, in the early 1990s, 717 E Magnolia St. in Arcadia, Florida was home to the "Conscience Adherent Paradise Government" — a separatist state that had declared its independence from the United States. Details from the Tampa Tribune (Apr 4, 1992):DeSoto sheriff’s Capt. Will Wise and Deputy Gary Holsomback went to their apartment in May to serve the couple with an eviction notice that was prompted by unusual behavior.
When deputies arrived, Soloman Frommell grabbed a pair of nunchukas, his wife had a butcher knife, and they fled to the front of the apartment, according to reports.
717 E Magnolia in Arcadia, FL, via Google Maps
Tampa Tribune - Apr 4, 1992
Posted By: Alex - Fri Jan 10, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Government, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, 1990s
Clutch Cargo in “Pipeline to Danger”
Clutch gets involved with the Saudis!The IIMDB page.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 09, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Annoying Things, Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Surrealism, Cartoons, 1950s
President Truman and the Albino Kangaroo
Source.
The animal was spoken of at a press conference.
Source.
But according to LIFE, it came with a name.
Source.
BTW: what was meant by Truman being good at naming dinosaurs? I think this is the answer:
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 20, 2018 -
Comments (0)
Category: Animals, Government, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, 1950s, Australia, North America
The WWI Plot That Failed
Chances are, this man's face is totally unfamiliar to you. And yet he came within a hairsbreadth of altering the course of global history in the aftermath of World War I.
Take your best guess as to his claim to fame, then find out his story after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 12, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Daredevils, Stuntpeople and Thrillseekers, Disguises, Impersonations, Mimics and Forgeries, Government, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Politics, 1910s
Banned Advert
Explanation here.
Watch it quick, before it's yanked.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 02, 2011 -
Comments (6)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Celebrities, Government, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Officials, Humor, Africa
Pat Boone’s “Speedy Gonzalez”
A gesture towards better relations between Mexico and the USA.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 14, 2011 -
Comments (3)
Category: Music, Stereotypes and Cliches, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, 1960s
Globetrotters Costume Party
Here is a history of The Globetrotters Club, which is still in operation today.Shortly after their founding, in 1947, they threw a costume party, pictured here.
I hope such events are still part of their activities.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 20, 2009 -
Comments (10)
Category: Costumes and Masks, Eccentrics, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, Pop Culture, Travel, Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Dogs, 1940s
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |