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Old American Life
Yesterday at 11:57 AM
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The Day the Sky Rained Money (1940, Pittsburgh)
During a Pirates-Reds doubleheader at Forbes Field, a gust from a passing storm ripped open a payroll blimp advertising Gulf Oil. $2,400 in singles—worth $55,000 today—spiraled onto the bleachers. Ushers abandoned posts; the organist played “Pennies from Heaven.” A 12-year-old paperboy, Tony Russo, stuffed $47 into his cap and bought his mother a Frigidaire. The Pirates won both games; the blimp pilot was fired. Tony’s bill #G00471940 is framed at the Heinz History Center.
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