The great hose mystery of 1955

Back in 1955, a mysterious phenomenon was reported. Garden hoses started to spontaneously burrow their way into dirt. It began in the garden of California resident George Di Peso. His 12-year-old daughter stuck the nozzle of a hose into the dirt to make the job of watering the garden easier, and then the hose (with the water running) started to burrow downwards. Over 20 feet of the hose disappeared into the earth.

The same phenomenon was then reported in Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Florida, Ontario, and Kansas.

Geologists speculated that the rapid flow of water was creating a vacuum at the nozzle causing the hoses to slide downward into the earth. The burrowing could be stopped by turning off the water. But Di Peso never did recover the 20 feet of hose lost in the earth. He eventually cut the hose off where it went into the earth, saying "I couldn't stand it any longer. This thing was getting out of hand. My life has been made a big mess."

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Fri Mar 29, 2013
Category: Unsolved Mysteries | 1950s

Comments

If losing a garden hose was the worst thing that happened to him and was enough to turn his life into a "big mess" he must have been one lucky man.

Posted by ScoutC on 03/29/13 at 10:03 AM

This explains why there are sink holes!

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/29/13 at 10:34 AM

Around the same time there was a story circulating (as a joke) about a mohel (a Jewish circumciser) who collected foreskins and stitched them into wallets. If you rub one enough, it turns into a suitcase!

The same raw material, sewn instead into a hose, would have a strong affinity for holes.

Then again, maybe the hose thought the hole was a "Downey."

Posted by tadchem on 03/29/13 at 02:18 PM

I really like making my hose disappear ladies :cheese: :red:

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 03/29/13 at 03:10 PM

I like disappearing hoses! :wow:

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/29/13 at 06:24 PM

It was just the gophers from 'Caddy Shack'.

Posted by BMN on 03/29/13 at 07:06 PM

Where my Hose at?! :ahhh: :lol: :coolsmile:

Posted by Tyrusguy on 03/29/13 at 08:14 PM

Do you need some help to find your hose sweetheart?

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/29/13 at 10:44 PM

Read it again, Patty. But this time, keep your eyes closed and just listen.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/29/13 at 11:49 PM

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