This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
On June 30, 1955, Downey resident Ruth Di Peso's daughter went out to water the ivy in the front yard, but soon returned with a tale that the water hose was stuck in the ground. They could not pull it out. Dad George Di Peso could not pull it out. What followed was an international mystery of epic proportions. The hose sank deeper into the ground until it was 30 feet down. The media and public descended upon the Di Peso property. A water department official and a geologist could not explain the situation. United Press International received a wire from Japan stating that they were on the lookout for the hose there. The family grew tired of all of the disruption so dad George decided to cut the hose with shears to end the spectacle. Within a month or so, similar occurrences started happening in other parts of Los Angeles County, and then across the country for several years. Copycats were suspected. It seems no one was ever able to fully explain the strange phenomenon. Photograph caption dated October 1, 1955 reads "'I can't help it,' Dave Smith, 9, tells his brother and sister, when pulling and digging operations of water hose fail in Sun Valley backyard. Dave, who started hose down ground while playing, was punished by brother, Dennis, 18, back. Helping is Jeanine, 5."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Boys--California--Los Angeles Girls--California--Los Angeles Brothers and sisters--California--Los Angeles Curiosities and wonders--California--Los Angeles Hose--California--Los Angeles Sun Valley (Los Angeles, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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