JUNE 10, 1933

Full News Archive

• Headline: Oculists' Fees Tax Exempted. Impact: Thanks to this tax exemption, optometrists became the unsung heroes of the tax code, leading to a dramatic increase in people wearing glasses. This, in turn, sparked a fashion trend of oversized spectacles, leading to the modern hipster movement. Who knew a tax ruling could change the course of fashion history?. Fact: Did you know that without oculists' fees being tax-exempt, the phrase 'four-eyes' would have been replaced with something far less creative?.
• Headline: First Interclub Race: Sloop Aileen Triumphs. Impact: The Sloop Aileen's victory in this race was the catalyst for an underground sloop racing league that eventually led to the rise of competitive yacht-themed reality shows. You think I'm kidding? Just wait until you see 'The Real Yachts of Jersey'.. Fact: Did you know that winning a yacht race is often less about speed and more about how stylishly you can spill champagne on your deck?.
• Headline: ROBBER CHIEF, 15-2, WINS.; Sir Alfred Butt's Horse Takes the Manchester Cup.. Impact: Robber Chief's win at the Manchester Cup not only sparked a wave of betting on horse races but also inspired a series of heist movies centered around horse racing. Clearly, a horse can lead to life choices that are far more dramatic than any human could muster.. Fact: Did you know that horse names like 'Robber Chief' often lead to more interesting bets than actual horses? Who wouldn't want to bet on a horse that sounds like a criminal mastermind?.
• Headline: A Source of Revenue.. Impact: The idea of generating revenue from all-night street parking led to a nationwide obsession with parking meters, which would later become the bane of every driver's existence. This one idea set off a chain reaction of parking-related frustrations that still haunts us to this day.. Fact: Did you know that parking meters were invented specifically to annoy drivers? Just kidding! They were invented to make money. But annoying drivers is a delightful bonus!.
• Headline: Lehman Studies Buffalo Murder.. Impact: Lehman studying a murder case led to an increased public interest in true crime dramas, paving the way for an entire genre of television that would keep us glued to our screens and questioning our neighbors for decades to come.. Fact: Did you know that studying murder cases is basically the precursor to binge-watching Netflix true crime shows? We've come a long way, folks..
• Headline: MRS. W.K. DICK IN RENO.; Former Madeleine Force Astor Will Ask Divorce.. Impact: Mrs. W.K. Dick filing for divorce became a template for future celebrity divorces, leading to the rise of tabloid journalism and the phrase 'celebrity couple goals' being ironically coined years later. Thanks, W.K. Dick, for paving the way for all of our favorite gossip!. Fact: Did you know that divorce filings are just a fancy way of saying, 'I can't even with you anymore'?.
• Headline: OTHER CORPORATE REPORTS.. Impact: The corporate reports from this year laid the groundwork for the modern-day corporate transparency movement. Who knew that a bunch of reports could lead to employees actually knowing what their CEOs earn? Shocking, right?. Fact: Did you know that corporate reports are like the adult version of report cards? Except nobody gets grounded for terrible grades—just a hefty bonus!.
• Headline: Exchange Seat Brings $200,000 Best Price Since Aug. 14,1931, and Up $5,000 in 2 Days. Impact: The sale of an exchange seat for $200,000 led to an increase in speculative trading, which eventually became the hallmark of the 2008 financial crisis. So, thank you for reminding us that greed is, indeed, timeless.. Fact: Did you know that the stock market is just a glorified gambling den for adults? Just with fancier suits and less fun!.
• Headline: UTILITY HEADS' PAY INCREASED IN 1932; Total for Chief Officers in the Edison Group Rose While Payroll Was Being Cut. CITY ATTACKS BONUSES Salary List Is Demanded at Hearing -- $25,000 More for Sloan Revealed.. Impact: Utility heads' pay increases during a time of payroll cuts sparked public outrage, leading to the modern labor rights movement. Who knew that a few greedy executives could ignite a firestorm of worker solidarity?. Fact: Did you know that while utility heads raked in the bucks, the rest of us were just praying our lights wouldn't go out? Talk about a shocking disparity!.