Replica of the Housewife-Conking Meteorite

Sylacauga, Alabama

In 1954, a meteor plunged into Earth's atmosphere, crashed through the roof of a home outside of Sylacauga, Alabama, and hit housewife Ann Hodges, who was taking a nap. Fortunately for Ann, the meteorite was fairly small, had slowed down by bouncing off a console radio, and only struck her a glancing blow. The nap was interrupted, but no bones were broken, and she lived another 18 years.

Ann was uncomfortable with her unwanted claim to fame. She used the meteorite as a doorstop, then gave it to the Alabama Museum of Natural History -- a hundred miles away -- where it's still on display. Sylacauga's local museum, denied one of the world's most famous space rocks, had to settle for an exact replica, which is also still on display.

The Hodges home was bulldozed to make way for a trailer park.