JANUARY 12, 1936

Full News Archive

• Headline: Broadway's Murder Playwrights in 1936. Impact: The struggles of murder playwrights led to the birth of the modern thriller genre, which in turn inspired countless horror films. If only they knew their creative angst would spawn 'B-movie' classics featuring chainsaw-wielding maniacs.. Fact: Playwrights have long been the original drama queens, always looking for the next sensational plot twist to keep audiences on the edge of their seats—preferably with popcorn in hand..
• Headline: Insights from Harold S. Diehl's Healthful Living. Impact: Harold S. Diehl's 'Healthful Living' was not just a book; it was a catalyst for the 20th-century obsession with diets. Who knew that his $2.50 book would indirectly lead to the existence of juice cleanses and kale chips in modern grocery stores?. Fact: If health were a currency, we might as well be billionaires by now—too bad our diets still involve pizza and ice cream!.
• Headline: Exploring Muriel Rukeyser's Flight Theory. Impact: Muriel Rukeyser's 'Theory of Flight' sparked a revolution in aviation literature, inspiring future authors who would eventually write about flying cars. Spoiler alert: We still don’t have those.. Fact: The only thing more far-fetched than the theory of flight is the idea that anyone will ever truly understand how much turbulence messes with your hair..
• Headline: FCC INVESTIGATION BY HOUSE SOUGHT; Connery Tells Plans and Says Commission's Own Inquiry Is Whitewash Move. SEES BIG CHAINS FAVORED Labor Radio Stations and Other Small Ones Are Victimized, He Asserts. FCC INVESTIGATION BY HOUSE SOUGHT. Impact: The call for an FCC investigation was just the beginning of a long saga of government oversight that would eventually lead to binge-watching cat videos instead of listening to actual radio broadcasts.. Fact: The FCC: where the 'C' stands for 'Can’t we just let people enjoy music without endless regulations?'.
• Headline: NEW AUTO TUNNELS TO UNITE THE CITY; Great Tubes Under East River to Queens and Under Harbor to Brooklyn Proposed. JERSEY LINK PROGRESSING IN THE TUNNEL. Impact: Proposed auto tunnels shaping the city created a legacy of urban planning that led to the eventual construction of spaghetti junctions. Yes, the future of urban transport was inspired by a literal underground tube.. Fact: If only those tunnels could also transport us away from traffic jams—maybe we’d finally achieve world peace!.
• Headline: I INVISIBLE LANDSCAPES. By Edgar l Lee Masters. 163 pp. New York: The Macmillan Company. $2.. Impact: Edgar Lee Masters' 'Invisible Landscapes' opened the door for future poets who would explore the hidden depths of human emotion—while also making us question why we didn’t just stick to writing about flowers and sunshine.. Fact: Poetry: the only profession where being invisible is a bonus feature..
• Headline: FRENCH TO SET UP NEW LIAISON HERE; New York and Paris Offices to Collect Information for Use by Americans. FRENCH TO SET UP NEW LIAISON HERE. Impact: The establishment of French liaison offices in NYC was the beginning of a cultural exchange that would lead to the iconic French-American brunch, complete with mimosas and croissants—because who doesn’t want a side of culture with their hangover?. Fact: Fun fact: the only thing more confusing than French bureaucracy is trying to decipher their wine menus!.
• Headline: Austrian Barracks Falls, 3 Hurt.. Impact: The collapse of the Austrian barracks not only injured three soldiers but also unwittingly provided fodder for future construction regulations, leading to an era of safety inspections that would make even the most skeptical architect roll their eyes.. Fact: Austrian architecture: where gravity is merely a suggestion, and safety regulations are optional—until they aren’t..
• Headline: PISTOL CONTROL SOUGHT.; Federal Check on Small Weapons Now Asked by Authorities.. Impact: The push for federal pistol control was a significant moment that rippled through decades of gun legislation debates, eventually leading to the current climate of endless discussions and social media arguments over the Second Amendment.. Fact: If every gun control debate had a dollar for every time it spiraled into chaos, we’d probably be able to fund a nationwide ‘give peace a chance’ initiative..
• Headline: DEEP-SEA DIVING IN BERMUDA. Impact: The fascination with deep-sea diving in Bermuda laid the groundwork for an entire tourism industry that would one day feature underwater hotels and dolphin encounters—because who doesn’t want to share a room with a fish?. Fact: Deep-sea diving: the only sport where you can come face to face with a shark and still be more afraid of your bank account after the trip!.