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"Everybody's doing it" was the reason enough to dive in; from flagpole sitting to pet skunks, revealing crazes sweeping the nation; these obsessions are impossible to resist; it's a trip to fads that push limits and make history must-see mayhem.
Remember when looking your best meant risking life and limb?; from dentures that could explode at the dinner table and stiff shirt collars that strangled people to death, to toxic hair implants and tanning pills that left them glowing orange.
Remember when playtime meant tempting fate?; from toy belts that fire speeding projectiles, these playthings are made for kids, but their risks are anything but child's play.
Remember when hitting the road meant flirting with disaster?; from rumble seats that turn passengers into projectiles, to scorching cigarette lighters built right into the dash, to cars that have a habit of going up in flames.
Remember when having a modern home meant living on the edge of danger?; from backyard trash fires and waterbeds that turn bedrooms into flood zones, these are the familiar fixes and convenient comforts that turn out to be far from safe.
Remember when people would do just about anything for an adrenaline fix?; revisit the ways people once chased a thrill; these stunts and gravity-pushing spectacles didn't always stick the landing, but that didn't stop anyone from trying.
Remember when hobbies were more than just a way to pass the time - they were a chance to push the limits? From making model planes with glue that gets you high, to cooking up explosive rocket fuel in the backyard.
Remember when popular tourist attractions came with real danger? From climbing onto the backs of live alligators, to hand-feeding hungry bears, to scoring front-row seats to atomic blasts.
Remember when being part of the crowd meant taking your chances? From packing in shoulder to shoulder for front row views of Civil War battles, to lining up to watch dead whales explode, to full-blown riots while shopping.
When earning a paycheck meant risking life and limb.
When being young meant testing the limits of what our bodies could survive.
These are the ambitious ideas, futuristic gadgets, and engineering marvels that aimed to revolutionize everyday life, but sometimes overshot the mark.
The unforgettable attractions, unusual pets, and head-scratching animal encounters that blurred the line between affection and recklessness.
From chocolate eaten out of the gutter, to a single cup of ice cream shared by the entire neighborhood, to breakfast cereal that produced colorful consequences, yesterday's culinary delights weren't always as wholesome as they seemed.
Remember when hitting the road promised freedom, adventure… and a few risky surprises?
Remember when childhood came with a side of danger? Think back to the toys and daredevil playground antics that once defined growing up; uncovering explosive science kits, high-flying kite tubes and more.
A wild journey into the world of vintage daredevils who risked it all for a rush; from the enigmatic Human Fly to skateboard speed demons and diving horses, these stunts are as reckless as they are unforgettable.
There was a time when any and all cures could be sold to the public indiscriminately; diving into a world where animal skin can replace your own, where doctors give coffee enemas and a world of heroin-laced cough syrup.
The modern concept of extreme sports is a product of marketing, but back in the old days, the lack of rules made them truly extreme; from bone-crushing football and deadly baseball games to wild events like auto polo.
Exploding cars and blimp disasters to kids sent through the mail and doomed personal helicopters; the past is packed with travel tales and the misfires that paved the road to modern transportation.
Snack on a feast of food horrors from the past; from radioactive energy drinks, to scandalous snacks made with Olestra, to the additives in your milk and bread, uncovering the things people once ate without a second thought.
The everyday products that are way more dangerous than meets the unsuspecting eye; what were the most ill-advised and risky household products?
Uncovering the downright dangerous gigs of the past, from mercury-poisoned hatmakers to kids crawling through chimneys and projectionists fleeing fiery blazes.