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 April 12, 1934
Full News Archive
- Headline: Chemical Congress Concludes in 1934. Impact: The Congress ended, but it was really just a poorly timed intermission in the global chemical arms race. Little did they know, every time someone mixed two ingredients in a lab, they were one step closer to accidentally creating a viral TikTok dance.. Fact: Did you know that mixing vinegar and baking soda is technically a chemical reaction? But don't worry, no Congress was necessary for that explosive discovery..
- Headline: Haiti's President Meets FDR in 1934. Impact: This meeting marked the start of a beautiful friendship between Haiti and the U.S. that would eventually lead to decades of 'helpful' interventions, because who doesn't love a good foreign takeover?. Fact: Fun fact: 'American control of finances' is just a fancy way of saying 'we'll take care of your money, but only if we can take your resources too.'.
- Headline: OIL-BURNERS IN AUTO RACE; Two Such Machines Will Compete at Indianapolis Speedway.. Impact: This race was the ignition point for an entire generation of car enthusiasts. Little did they know, it would lead to a future where people could spend more time arguing over car brands than actually driving them.. Fact: Fun fact: Oil-burners are great, but let's be honestβnothing beats the sound of a V8 engine, unless you're trying to hold a conversation over the noise..
- Headline: Equal Rates on Sugar Urged.. Impact: This call for equal sugar rates led to a sweet little conspiracy where sugar lobbyists threw all their weight behind a campaign to make 'sugar tax' a hot topic. Who knew that a bunch of sticky stuff could cause so much drama?. Fact: Did you know that sugar is often referred to as 'white gold'? I guess that makes it the most expensive thing to put in your coffee!.
- Headline: 6,254,400 Radios in Britain.. Impact: With over six million radios, Britain was just one unregulated frequency away from becoming the world's first reality TV nation. Reality shows would have started decades earlier if only someone tuned in!. Fact: Fun fact: Listening to the radio while doing household chores is a great way to procrastinateβjust ask anyone who ever heard 'Free Bird' while doing the dishes..
- Headline: Al Reinke Killed in Skid.. Impact: Al's tragic accident served as a grim reminder of the dangers of driving, leading to stricter road safety regulations that would save countless lives over the years.. Fact: Road safety is serious business. Remember, folks: every time you speed, a traffic cone sheds a tear..
- Headline: PARAGUAY ATTACKS VITAL CHACO AREA; Long Awaited Battle for Fort Ballivian Opens, With the Bolivians Slowly Yielding. WIDE EFFECT IS FORESEEN Defeats of the Bolivians Would Aggravate the Troubled Situation at La Paz.. Impact: The battle for Fort Ballivian set off a chain reaction of political instability in South America that would echo through the decades, eventually leading to an entire genre of crisis-themed telenovelas.. Fact: Did you know that South American political history is so complex, it could fill a library? That's rightβmore twists and turns than a season finale!.
- Headline: To Head Friends University.. Impact: This appointment foreshadowed the rise of countless 'Friends' jokes in academic circles, where no one would take anything seriously ever againβbecause, you know, it's all about networking.. Fact: Fun fact: Friends University is not to be confused with the TV show, though both involve a lot of people laughing at each other's bad decisions..
- Headline: OUR POLICY ON GOLD HELD RECOVERY BAR; Emile Moreau, French Banker, Asserts It Has Been Chief Obstacle to Improvement.. Impact: Emile's bold assertion about gold policy sparked a revolution in banking practices, leading to the rise of cryptocurrencies decades laterβbecause why deal with gold when you can just have ones and zeros?. Fact: Did you know that gold has been a symbol of wealth for centuries? Too bad it can't pay your rent, thoughβimagine trying to hand your landlord a gold bar!.
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)