When this photo appeared in the Loveland [Colo.] Reporter in 1895, farmer Joseph B. Swan was besieged with requests for pieces and seeds of his giant potato — the story implied that it was 2 feet 5 inches long and weighed more than 86 pounds.

Editor W.L. Thorndyke was forced to admit the spud had been carved out of wood — they’d arranged the hoax to promote a local street fair.