Inventions & Breakthroughs of April 1935
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Radial Aircraft Engine Improvements
2 
Electric Blanket
3 
High-Speed Diesel Locomotive
4 
Automatic Pop-Up Toaster
5 
Sound Level Meter
6 
Early Computing Relays
7 
Polyester Resin
8 
Neon Advertising Signs
9 
Aircraft Cabin Pressurization
10 
Modern Windshield Wipers
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON April 29, 1935
Full News Archive
- Headline: Exploring Urban Gardens of NYC. Impact: This urban gardening initiative sparked a revolution in urban aesthetics, eventually leading to the rise of Instagram influencers who have turned flower arrangements into a full-time job.. Fact: Fun fact: before Instagram, people actually had to talk to each other in gardens. Shocking, I know..
- Headline: 40 FELLOWS NAMED IN SOCIAL SCIENCE; 26 of the Awards Are of a New Type for Field Work in Connection With Studies.. Impact: The recognition of these social science fellows paved the way for the 'I have a degree in social science' conversation that has since become a staple at awkward dinner parties.. Fact: Did you know that social science is the only field where you can study humans and still have no idea how to interact with them?.
- Headline: ]LFRED I. DIJ PONT DIES IN FLORIDA; End Comes Suddenly to the Founder and Former Head of Explosives Company.. Impact: The sudden demise of Alfred I. Du Pont created a vacuum in the explosives industry that was eventually filled by a series of 'hey, watch this!' backyard experiments.. Fact: Respectfully, Alfred's legacy lives on in every overly ambitious fireworks display that goes horribly wrong..
- Headline: $2,000 Bracelet Found In Street by Policeman. Impact: This bracelet discovery led to a string of 'lost and found' stories that have since inspired countless sitcom plots about mistaken identities and unexpected riches.. Fact: Did you know that finding a bracelet worth $2,000 makes you a local hero? Too bad it doesn’t come with a cape..
- Headline: New System of Athletic Organization and Control Is Adopted by Cornell; CORNELL REVISES ATHLETIC POLICY. Impact: This shift in athletic policy led to the rise of 'athletic directors' who would soon be responsible for ensuring that student athletes could balance their sports with the equally challenging task of attending classes. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well.. Fact: Did you know that athletic policies are basically the adult version of 'no running in the halls'?.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1935, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Price in 1935
$0.69
2025 dataset value
$147,887
Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1935, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)
Rank #2
IBM
IBM
Price in 1935
$1.46
2025 dataset value
$205,272
IBM - If you invested $1,000 in 1935, it would be worth $205,272 today (205.3x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
New Fun #1
$2,500
New Fun #2
$95
Famous Funnies #9
$2,500
Detective Picture Stories #1
$1,200
More Fun #1
$1,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Monopoly
$150.00
Erector Set No. 6
$150.00
Dionne Quintuplets Dolls
$20.00
Schuco Tin Toys
$300.00
Scrabble (Prototype)
$120.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Babe Ruth - 1935 Goudey #181
$18,000
Maurice Turnesa - 1935 John Player & Sons Golf
$1,500
Max Schmeling - 1935 Gallaher Famous Fighters
$3,000
Arthur Askey - 1935 Ardath Who Is This? Radio Stars
Unknown
Gallant Fox - 1935 Ogden's Prominent Racehorses
$1,200