h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello

I'm pretty sure J Edgar hoover was Director of the FBI for a whopping 48 years and when he first started the FBI was called the Bureau of Investigation, getting the "federal" in the 1930s.

Not sure if he was a cross dresser or not though.

Oh, and there isn't a department called the X-Files (allegedly)

I think there's something like the x-files, they just don't call it that. that way when people ask if the x-files realy exists they can convincingly say "no". the first episode is based on an actual case, but based on it doesn't mean that its really that either.

I think the 'real' X-files are unofficially categorised as 'stupid but worth keeping an eye on.'

< J Edgar hoover was Director of the FBI for a whopping 48 years >

correct, he was also the main pusher behind the finger print program

The "Federal" was due to the prohibition, having to croos state borders in persuite of smuglers.

They do not have the amount of power that tv and film lead us to belive.....

The F.B.I. are like national cops. They won't go after the guy who robbed your local Quick-E-Mart,but if theres a guy robbing over 50 of them throughtout the states that'll get thier attention. Basically all they do is go after the big fish. They might have some different departments for certain crimes,but certainly no "x-files" department. They're cops not U.F.O. watchers...