Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Three Legendary Pranks
Jan 24, 2026
Three legendary practical jokes are explored, from a fictional professor who became a campus tradition to a 19th century prank that clogged London streets with fake orders. The list ends with a televised April Fools' spoof about spaghetti trees that fooled millions and sparked debate about media trust and critical thinking.
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The Everlasting Josiah S. Carberry
- The Josiah S. Carberry prank began with a fake lecture notice at Brown University in 1929 and blossomed into a campus legend.
- The invented professor spawned donations, a cookbook, and recurring jokes that persisted for decades.
The Burner Street Mass Hoax
- Theodore Hook won a bet by orchestrating mass false orders that turned one house into the busiest address in London.
- Deliveries, tradespeople, and crowds clogged Berner Street and caused real damage and chaos that lasted hours.
Pranks Can Create Real Damage
- Ambitious pranks can cause widespread tangible harm beyond embarrassment, from smashed property to injured animals and increased crime opportunities.
- Contemporary critics treated Hook's stunt as more than mischief because it disrupted livelihoods and public order.
