Most April Fool’s experts agree that April Fool’s Day originated in 16th-century France, when Pope Gregory Xiii mandated that the new year begin on January 1 instead of the end of March. Those who failed to follow the new calendar were dubbed “April fish.” Those experts that don’t agree with that explanation think that it originated from ancient spring festivals that included mischief making.
But for whatever reason, today has evolved into a day to play pranks on people. Over the years even major companies and corporations have gotten in on the fun and, in fact, pulled some of the best pranks including….
In 1980, pranksters at the BBC announced that Big Ben, London’e historic clock tower, would undergo a face-lift and become digital to keep up with the times.
In 1965, a Copenhagen, Denmark newspaper reported that parliament had passed a law that all dogs be painted white to improve road safety because they could then be seen clearly at night.
In 1994, PC Magazine ran a column about a bill making its way through Congress that would prohibit the use of the Internet while intoxicated.
In 2009, BMW ran an ad promoting its new “magnetic tow technology.” The invention enabled driver to turn of their engine and get a “free ride” by locking onto the car ahead via a magnetic beam.
In 2015, Cottonelle tweeted that it was introducing left-handed toilet paper for all those southpaws out there.
In Norway in 1986, after reading that the government was planning to distribute 10,000 liters of wine confiscated from smugglers, hundreds of citizens turned up caring empty bottles and buckets.
So while corporate America is typically ruled by information and strategy and is all business, today is the one day of the year that their business turns to funny business. This year, Volkswagen has already announced that they’re rebranding their electric vehicles as “Voltswagen” — can’t wait to see if someone will come up with a better one this year….
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