In keeping with tradition, media outlets, companies, websites and other jokers came up with various April Fools' hoaxes Thursday that ranged from the ridiculous to the absurd.
Australian pen maker Artline was advertising a new product in newspapers and on its website www.artline.com.au -- a pen that remembers everything you write.
"Forget the worry of losing the shopping list or the scrap of paper with that vital name or number on it," read the Artline advertisement. "You can download it all later -- as you wrote it, or in the typeface of your choice."
Last year on April 1 the company unveiled a pen with microchip tracking so no one could pinch it.
The website HowStuffWorks.com came up with the "twapler," which is a "stapler that automatically sends a message via Bluetooth or WiFi to a Twitter feed detailing exactly what you're stapling at any given moment."
"Whether you're joining together a research project, tax forms or your divorce papers, the Twapler will send out a message for eager tweeters to revel in."
Australian broadcaster ABC put out a spoof interview with an injured David Beckham in which the former England soccer captain said he was set to join the Australian national team, the Socceroos, as assistant manager and lead them to World Cup glory in South Africa.
Residents of the small Australian town of Murwillumbah woke up to the news in local newspaper the Tweed Daily News that "Avatar" director James Cameron had scouted local rainforests as a location for a sequel to the box-office hit.
April Fools' Day dates back centuries, but its origins remain unclear. A widespread theory is that it dates back to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar with the term April Fool applying to those who were still following the Julian Calendar.
By tradition in most countries, people can pull pranks before noon on April 1 in the name of April Fools' Day but become the fool if they do it in the afternoon.
