1 April pranks

 Today is the 5th day after 1.4. so I will write about: 

The biggest April Fool's Day hoaxes around the world:

1. The Spaghetti Tree (BBC, 1957)

In 1957, the British television network BBC broadcast a piece on Swiss farmers picking spaghetti from trees in the programme "Panorama". The programme showed people picking long pasta from the branches, with the presenter earnestly explaining that the mild winter had resulted in an exceptionally good spaghetti crop. Many viewers called the BBC to ask how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. This is one of the most famous April Fools' Day pranks in history.

2. Google Nose (2013)

Google is famous for its April Fools' Day pranks, but one of the most memorable was "Google Nose". The company claimed to have developed a technology that allows users to smell things through a computer screen or mobile device. Many people actually tried smelling their screens before realising it was a joke.

3. Burger King's "Left Handed Whopper" (1998)

The American fast food chain Burger King published an advertisement in USA Today introducing a new product: the Left-Handed Whopper. It claimed that the ingredients in the burger had been rearranged to make it easier to eat with the left hand. Thousands of people came into restaurants demanding the left-handed Whopper - or complaining that they didn't want this special version.

4. Flying Penguins (BBC, 2008)

The BBC once again pulled off an amusing April Fool's Day prank when they broadcast a documentary about a newly discovered species of penguin that can fly. The video showed penguins leaving Antarctica and flying towards the tropical forests of South America. Many viewers believed in this amazing discovery until the BBC revealed the truth the next day.

5. Taco Liberty Bell (1996)

The American fast food chain Taco Bell advertised that they had bought the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and renamed it the "Taco Liberty Bell". The ad caused outrage among Americans as many believed that the historic symbol had indeed been sold. It was only a few hours later that the company revealed that it was a joke.

6. The Death of Bill Gates (2003)

In 2003, rumours spread on Chinese websites that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had died. The news seemed so convincing that it even caused a small fluctuation in the stock market. When it turned out to be an April Fool's joke, investors breathed again.

7. The Swedish Miracle of Colour Television (1962)

In 1962, Swedish National Television announced that viewers could turn a black and white picture into colour by putting nylon sheets on the screen. Thousands of people followed the instructions before realising that they had been taken for a ride by television.

8. NASA discovers water on Mars (2005)

NASA announced that they had found water on Mars - only with a small glass of water on a red background next to the picture. It was a witty play on words that confused many before they realised it was a joke.

9. Google's Pac-Man (2010)

Google added the ability to play Pac-Man on Google Maps to its search engine. Many people got caught up in the game and forgot about work, resulting in a minor loss of productivity in offices around the world.

10.Loch Ness on Google Earth (2015)

In 2015, Google added the ability for users to find the Loch Ness Monster to Google Earth. When people searched for Nessie, they were greeted by an animation of a large monster in the water.

There have been countless first-person jokes over the years, some more imaginative than others. Which one do you think is the best? Have you ever pulled someone's nose on 1 April?

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