A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

That Time a Real Estate Developer Scammed Investors With an Extra Apostrophe

(via) The odd-looking Newby-McMahon Building in Wichita Falls, Texas tells a fabulous story about early 20th century real estate speculators getting scammed by a developer. According to widespread local legend, they thought they were investing in a 480 foot high skyscraper when in actual fact the plans they’d signed off on had the finished building at just 480 inches tall. Though they’d confused their feet and inches symbols, they got exactly what they’d paid for. YouTuber Tom Scott tours the diminutive building – which is actually really cool – in this short video. As he points out, primary sources to prove the veracity of the story are elusive, but if true…what a consequential apostrophe!

There are 2 comments

  1. From a typography perspective, the symbol for feet and inches are actually the prime ? and double prime ? respectively, not technically apostrophes. Not that important but it is a story about details. 😉

  2. Thanks! I had no idea that was even a thing. Always thought it was an apostrophe!

We Want to Play Japan’s Dangerous Game of Bo-Taoshi

Played on sports days in Japanese schools, the brutal game of Bo-Taoshi was originated by cadets in the Second World War.

Brave Birder on an E-Scooter Chases Down Dastardly Bike Thief

This bike thief had no idea what he was up against when he crossed paths with a guy looking for young family of crows.

Short Film Teases Reopening of Characteristically Noisy New York City

As case counts drop and vaccination numbers rise, the loud but comforting crush of urban life is coming back.

What Would Happen If an American President Authorized a Nuclear Missile Attack

Complex 571-7 is all that remains of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987.