In 1970, a 45-foot sperm whale carcass washed ashore near Florence, Oregon, raising concerns over how to dispose of it. Local authorities feared that the rotting whale would attract scavengers like seagulls, which could pose a hazard to the area. The Oregon Highway Division, seeking a quick solution, devised a rather unconventional plan: to blow up the whale using dynamite. The reasoning was that by launching the bulk of the whale remains far into the ocean, they could minimize the mess left on the beach.

On November 12, a crew began the cleanup operation, placing nearly a half-ton of dynamite on the whale. The explosion was executed in front of spectators who had gathered to witness the spectacle, which was heralded in some circles as a demonstration of “thinking outside the box.” However, the results were far from anticipated. Rather than simply launching the remains into the ocean, pieces of the whale were flung into the air, with some landing as far as a quarter-mile away, crushing cars and covering homes in whale blubber.

The aftermath was chaotic and somewhat comedic in retrospect, with residents and journalists alike noting the absurdity of the situation. The incident not only became a local anecdote but transformed into an enduring part of popular culture, often referenced in discussions about bizarre or ill-fated environmental management tactics. Such incidents raise fundamental questions about how we deal with dead wildlife and serve as cautionary tales against unconventional solutions to seemingly simple problems.