Where does spaghetti grow? In 1957 Britain, plenty of people had no idea.
Back then spaghetti was an exotic food in Britain. Many people didn't know it's made from flour and water.
On April 1 that year, the BBC current-affairs show Panorama aired a three-minute report. It showed a family in southern Switzerland harvesting spaghetti from trees.
The film showed a harvest festival in Ticino, in southern Switzerland. The picturesque scenery made it more believable.
The voice-over was by respected broadcaster Richard Dimbleby. He is said to have gladly lent his authority to make the joke work.
If a trustworthy guy says it, you just believe it
An estimated eight million people watched. The next day hundreds phoned in to question it or ask how to grow their own.
Tin of tomato sauceThe one item in the BBC's growing advice
Stick a sprig of spaghetti in the tin and hope for the best
Sources
Photo credits
- Spaghetti pasta as food.jpg, NiferO, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
- Meride-Vineyards1.jpg, GabrielleMerk, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
More useless facts
FoodBananas Are BerriesStrawberries aren't berries, but bananas are
FoodKetchup Used to Be Fish SauceThe word ketchup came from a name for pickled fish brine
SpaceIn Space, Candle Flames Are RoundLight a candle in space, and the flame turns into a ball instead of rising up
SpaceThe People Who See 16 Sunrises a DaySpace station crews see the sun rise more than fifteen times a day