JUNE 18, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: Railroads Petition for Rate Increase. Impact: This 15% freight rate rise petition caused railroads to become so desperate for cash that they started accepting payments in the form of monopoly money. They believed it would become the next big currency, leading to a very confusing time in the 1940s when everyone thought they were rich until the game ended.. Fact: Did you know that the I.C.C. stands for 'Incredibly Confusing Charges'? Because that’s what they seem to produce..
• Headline: Columbia Aircraft Undergoes Repairs. Impact: The grounding of the Columbia led to a series of unfortunate events where all pilots decided to take up knitting instead. This resulted in a sudden influx of colorful sweaters, which eventually became the fashion trend of the 1930s. Who knew aviation could lead to haute couture?. Fact: Fun fact: This plane had more adventures than most people's entire lives, and now it just sits there, all grounded and sad..
• Headline: Joining Atherton Messmore & Co.. Impact: Joining Atherton Messmore & Co. sparked a corporate feud so intense that it inspired a new reality TV show, 'Corporate Clash: Who Can Mess More?' Spoiler alert: the ratings were through the roof until they realized it was just a bunch of suits arguing.. Fact: It's said that joining a company like this is akin to joining a cult, just with less chanting and more spreadsheets..
• Headline: WOMAN KILLED BY AUTO.; Boy, 10, Is Another Victim--Truck Fatally Injures Woodbridge Man.. Impact: The tragic death of the woman and the boy became a pivotal moment in traffic reform. Cities around the world suddenly decided that maybe, just maybe, cars shouldn't be allowed to drive themselves. Unfortunately, they didn't think to implement this until the rise of the self-parking car.. Fact: Ironically, this incident led to the invention of the 'look both ways before crossing' mantra, which is still actively ignored today..
• Headline: GORDON JURY PICKED; TRIAL STARTS TODAY; Court Acts to Hasten Case of Two Ex-Convicts Accused of Vice Witness's Murder. LATE SESSIONS INDICATED Confession of Alleged Accomplice, Which Defense Attacks, to Be Main Evidence for State.. Impact: The Gordon trial set off a chain reaction of courtroom dramas that inspired a million TV shows and movies about lawyers, leading to an overpopulation of law schools and an alarming number of people believing they could represent themselves. Spoiler alert: they couldn't.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more dramatic than this trial was the soap opera that aired right after it..
• Headline: SAYS CURE WAS FOUND FOR BLINDNESS DISEASE; Dr. Strong of Harvard Led Medical Expedition Into GuatemalanArea Where Natives Suffer.. Impact: Dr. Strong's discovery interestingly led to a spike in tourism to Guatemala, as people flocked to the area hoping to be cured of their blindness, only to realize they were just there for the scenery and native crafts. Blindness? Who cares, look at those colorful textiles!. Fact: Fun fact: This cure was so effective that it made people start questioning whether they really wanted to see their in-laws again..
• Headline: Copper Wire Price Reduced.. Impact: The reduction in copper wire prices triggered a global shortage of bad electrical jokes, as everyone suddenly had access to cheap wire for their own DIY projects. This led to an explosion of home improvement shows that made everyone think they could fix their own wiring. They couldn’t.. Fact: Ironically, the only thing cheaper than copper wire has been the quality of the DIY projects that resulted from it..
• Headline: BIG TOLEDO BANK CLOSES.; Shutting of Security-Home Trust Is Followed by Warning by 3 Others.. Impact: The closing of the Toledo bank triggered a bank panic that swept the nation, leading to a nationwide trend where people hid their money under mattresses. This resulted in an unexpected boom for mattress manufacturers. Who knew financial crises could be so cozy?. Fact: Fun fact: This bank's closure was so dramatic that it inspired a series of novels about the 'Great Mattress Heist' that never actually happened..