OCTOBER 18, 1936

Full News Archive

• Headline: PWA Grant Transforms New Orleans Hospital. Impact: The PWA grant for the historic hospital paved the way for the rise of modern hospitals, which eventually evolved into the multi-billion-dollar healthcare industry. Funny how saving old buildings can lead to one of the biggest money pits in history. Fact: New Orleans is known for its historic architecture. It's basically the city where old buildings go to retire—only to be replaced by shiny new ones.
• Headline: Roosevelt's 5,000-Mile Tour Conclusion. Impact: Roosevelt’s 5,000-mile tour not only boosted his re-election chances but also set the precedent for modern political campaigning. Without it, we might have missed out on the endless political road trips and the need for candidates to kiss babies and shake hands across the country. Fact: 5,000 miles is roughly the distance from New York to Los Angeles and back. Maybe Roosevelt was just trying to avoid his in-laws.
• Headline: ALL THINGS NEW. By Sonia Daugherty. Illustrated by James Daugherty. 296 pp. New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons. $1.75.. Impact: Sonia Daugherty's book, 'All Things New,' inadvertently inspired a generation of self-help books, leading to the rise of motivational speakers with questionable advice. Thanks, Sonia, for all those 'just be yourself' clichés. Fact: In the 1930s, $1.75 could buy you a book or a week’s worth of groceries. Today, it’s just enough for a fancy coffee.
• Headline: WATT A RIDDLE; Science Offers More Power to Broadcasters -- But All Do Not Accept It. Impact: The advancements in broadcasting power led to the absolute chaos of today's media landscape, where everyone thinks they can be the next big thing. Who knew that more power would lead to more voices—and more conspiracy theories?. Fact: If you think your neighbor's podcast is unbearable, just remember that power struggles in broadcasting have been around since the dawn of radio.
• Headline: NEWSPRINT SALES RISE; Gain in Number of Magazines Held Partly Responsible.. Impact: Increased newsprint sales led to the explosion of magazines and tabloids, which shaped public opinion on everything from politics to celebrity gossip. Without that rise, we might still have to rely on boring old newspapers. Fact: More magazines mean more ways to ignore your responsibilities. Thank you, wood pulp paper!.
• Headline: UTILITY PLAN URGED BY ASSOCIATED GAS; Reorganization of National Public Service Corporation Announced as Favored. UTILITY PLAN URGED BY ASSOCIATED GAS. Impact: The utility plan urged by Associated Gas was a pivotal moment that contributed to the eventual monopolization of energy companies. Who knew that a simple auction could lay the groundwork for corporate takeovers?. Fact: Utility companies have been known to charge for just about anything, as if energy were an artisanal craft.
• Headline: RADIO WILL GUARD MINT; Any Break in Automatic Signals at Denver Will Call Outside Aid.. Impact: The radio signal system at the Denver mint was the beginning of modern security measures, leading us straight to today’s absurdity of alarms and security cameras watching our every move. Thanks for the paranoia, radio!. Fact: Before radio signals, security relied heavily on the honor system. Imagine trusting a guard to just... stand there.
• Headline: U.S. Bike Racers Trail Kilian-Vopel in Berlin. Impact: The U.S. bike racers trailing in Berlin was a moment that sparked a fierce competition that would influence future Olympic events and the rise of cycling as a mainstream sport. Who knew that one race could lead to the Tour de France?. Fact: In the world of sports, losing can sometimes be the best way to inspire future champions. Just ask any athlete—except maybe the ones who lost every race.