This One
In 1978, newspapers & radio stations were abuzz when electronics millionaire and adventurer Dick Smith towed what appeared to be an iceberg into Sydney Harbour. He said that he'd towed it from Antarctica to solve Sydney's water shortage, and he'd be cutting it up & selling delicious ice cubes for 10c each. Unfortunately, it then rained, revealing the iceberg to be a barge covered in plastic, firefighting foam & shaving cream.
That One
In January 1749, London newspapers published that a showman would squeeze his entire body into a wine bottle at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. However, the story was a bet between Duke of Portland and the Earl of Chesterfield, in which the former wanted to fool the public who filled the house but no performer ever showed up, which eventually led to riots.
Wrong One
In February 1708, satirist Jonathan Swift issued an almanac titled Predictions for the Year 1708 by a pseudonym "Isaac Bickerstaff", in which he predicted the death of astrologer John Partridge on March 29 of that year.
Which One
In 1956, a rhinoceros called "Cacareco" (Portuguese for "rubbish") won a city council seat in Sao Paulo, Brazil with 100,000 votes, due to a campaign led by students who were tired of the city's mismanagement.
Left One
In 1962, Swedish national television broadcast a 5-minute special on how one could get color TV by placing a nylon stocking in front of the TV. A rather in-depth description on the physics behind the phenomenon was included. Thousands of people tried it.
Down One
In 1989, on the BBC television sports show Grandstand, a fight broke out between members of staff directly behind Des Lynam who was commenting on the professionalism of his team. At the end of the show it was revealed to be an April Fools' joke.
