Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON February 6, 1934
Full News Archive
- Headline: LaGuardia Secures $68 Million for Projects. Impact: LaGuardia's loans led to the construction of countless bridges, roads, and buildings, eventually resulting in a traffic jam so massive that it altered the Earth's rotation ever so slightly. Scientists would later name this phenomenon 'The LaGuardia Effect' and claim it was responsible for the invention of the GPS.. Fact: Fun fact: LaGuardia once personally flew a plane just to ensure he could get to a meeting on time. Talk about dedication!.
- Headline: Dental Advances Discussed by Experts. Impact: The dental advances talked about in this meeting led to an unexpected increase in people smiling more broadly, causing a spike in dental product sales and a subsequent shortage of toothpaste in the 1940s. This toothpaste famine became a pivotal moment in oral hygiene history.. Fact: In the dental world, 'Haggard' is just an unfortunate coincidence and not a descriptor of most dentists' faces after a long day..
- Headline: Supreme Court Upholds Poultry Racket Injunction. Impact: The poultry racketeers' downfall resulted in the rise of organic chicken farming, which led to the hipster movement of the 2010s where everyone suddenly became obsessed with artisanal eggs and farm-to-table dining.. Fact: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act is not a law about trust falls; it's about keeping competition alive. Sorry to disappoint your team-building exercises!.
- Headline: WIDER AID SOUGHT FOR NEEDY WOMEN; Hodson Hears Proposals for Improving Facilities Here for Housing and Recreation. MORE ARMORIES FOR MEN Club Leaders Plan Campaign to Inform Homeless Persons Where to Seek Help.. Impact: Hodson's initiatives for women led to an avalanche of social programs, which eventually inspired the creation of countless 'Save the World' clubsβmany of which now only exist as Instagram profiles.. Fact: Armories have historically housed more than just weapons; they were once the go-to spots for secret knitting clubs. Who knew soldiers had such soft hands?.
- Headline: RIOT AT WALDORF QUELLED BY POLICE; 1,000 Routed in Street Clash as Women and Children Aid Hotel Strike Pickets. CLUB'S WINDOWS SMASHED 150 Hurl Missiles in Attack -- Labor Board Chides Leader for Haste in Walkout. 1,000 PICKETS FIGHT POLICE AT WALDORF. Impact: The Waldorf Riot sparked a nationwide trend of hotel picketing, which later inspired the creation of 'Hotel Wars,' a popular reality show where contestants must survive a week in a luxury hotel while facing off against angry picketers.. Fact: Smashing plate-glass windows is not just a hobby; itβs a great way to get yourself on the evening news. Just ask any disgruntled hotel worker!.
- Headline: JURY REFORM BILL REVIVED IN JERSEY; Senate Again Passes Wolber Measure, Which Assembly Has Defeated 3 Times. 3 NAMED TO WATER BOARD Measure Adopted in Upper House to Extend Temporary Liquor Licenses Until March 10.. Impact: The revival of the jury reform bill set off a chain reaction that eventually led to people realizing that jury duty could actually be a fun way to get out of work, sparking the rise of 'Jury Duty Parties' in the 21st century.. Fact: The New Jersey Senate is like that one friend who keeps trying to get you to watch a movie you already told them you hatedβyet they keep recommending it anyway..
- Headline: Call For Fifth Avenue Bus Strike Fails; Police Guard Lines at Company's Request. Impact: The failed bus strike resulted in an increased appreciation for public transportation, leading to the creation of a sitcom where a bus driver becomes a superhero, thwarting crime one bus stop at a time.. Fact: Police guarding bus lines is just a fancy way of saying, 'Weβd rather be anywhere else but here.'.
- Headline: Poison Kills Up-State Farmer.. Impact: The unfortunate death of Farmer Prindle led to a nationwide campaign warning against the dangers of confusing your medicine with poison, resulting in a dramatic increase in labeling standards that still confuse people today.. Fact: The farmer's choice between medicine and poison is a stark reminder that reading labels is essentialβunless you prefer the thrill of living dangerously!.
- Headline: THE SNARKS OBSERVE 25TH ANNIVERSARY; Amateur Actors' Organization Has Dinner at Waldorf to Commemorate Founding.. Impact: The Snarks' anniversary dinner was the catalyst for an annual event that eventually led to the rise of community theater, which has been both a blessing and a curse for local talent shows ever since.. Fact: The Snarks' name was inspired by a particularly nonsensical Shakespearean character that nobody really remembers, which is fitting given the memory of most amateur productions..
- Headline: PECORA HOLDS GRAFT IN MILK INEVITABLE; Testifies in Harris Libel Suit That It Is Impossible to Check on All Inspectors.. Impact: Pecora's testimony about graft in milk led to a massive overhaul in food inspections, eventually inspiring a generation of food safety advocates who would later win the battle against the infamous 'mystery meat' in school lunches.. Fact: Graft in milk isn't a trendy cocktail; it's just a very serious issue. Who knew dairy could be so scandalous?.
Wall Street Time Machine
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1934, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)
IBM
IBM
IBM - If you invested $1,000 in 1934, it would be worth $205,272 today (205.3x return)