7/18/2010:
You've heard the phrase, "Hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk." Maybe you've even experienced that sort of weather. It's theoretically possible, but in practice, it's much harder to accomplish; an egg needs to reach a temperature of 156 degrees to cook.
But in July of 1936, with some of the hottest temperatures on record, it was worth trying to fry something. And probably more than one did on this date after reading reports of an attempt by Jane Ruble, of Grand Forks, though Ruble apparently decided Canadian Bacon was a better idea than eggs!
It took some time, but supposedly, after 20 minutes, the sidewalk bacon was "nicely browned on both sides and had fried all the way through."
But then again, perhaps it was also so hot that hens were laying hard-boiled eggs.
Dakota Datebook written by Sarah Walker
Sources:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/friedegg.html
The Devils Lake World, Wednesday, July 15, 1936