The Little Blue Man

Via Museum of Hoaxes: Michiganders are reminiscing about the "Little Blue Man" hoax of 1958.

In April of that year, folks driving between the small towns of Elkton and Bad Axe, Michigan began seeing a strange, blue-clad figure with a cape and blinking helmet who would suddenly appear by the side of the road at night, cavort in the glow of the headlights, and disappear. He was described as anywhere from two and ten feet tall and able to run faster than an ordinary human being. One eyewitness claimed to have seen him perched on top of a telephone pole.

So notorious did the Little Blue Man's exploits become that it made national headlines the day he was "captured" . . . er, turned himself in. The mysterious "alien" turned out to be local Bad Axe resident Jerry Sprague, 22, who along with a two accomplices confessed to the serial prank after learning that police were looking for them. The trio got off with "a good talking to" from the local prosecutor.

Sprague told reporters they were inspired in part by a popular novelty song of the time, "The Little Blue Man" by Betty Johnson:

One morning when I was out shopping
Though you'll find it hard to believe
A little blue man came out of the crowd
And timidly tugged at my sleeve.

"I wuv you! I wuv you!" said the little blue man
"I wuv you! I wuv you to bits."
"I wuv you!" He loved me said the little blue man
And scared me right out of my wits.

Read more: Elkton Remembers 1958's 'Little Blue Man' Hoax