JANUARY 28, 1938

FRIDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1938
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,318,352 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.29
Median_Home_Price: $4,300.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.18
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.09
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.29
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.54
Top Movies From 1938
1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Learn More
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2 Boys Town
Learn More
Boys Town
3 Alexander's Ragtime Band
Learn More
Alexander's Ragtime Band
4 Test Pilot
Learn More
Test Pilot
5 You Can't Take It with You
Learn More
You Can't Take It with You
6 Sweethearts
Learn More
Sweethearts
7 In Old Chicago
Learn More
In Old Chicago
8 The Adventures of Robin Hood
Learn More
The Adventures of Robin Hood
9 Love Finds Andy Hardy
Learn More
Love Finds Andy Hardy
10 Marie Antoinette
Learn More
Marie Antoinette
Algiers
Learn More
Algiers
After the Thin Man
Learn More
After the Thin Man
The Good Earth
Learn More
The Good Earth
Nothing Sacred
Learn More
Nothing Sacred
The Hurricane
Learn More
The Hurricane
The Prisoner of Zenda
Learn More
The Prisoner of Zenda
Conquest
Learn More
Conquest
Heidi
Learn More
Heidi
True Confession
Learn More
True Confession
Madame X
Learn More
Madame X
January 28, 1938 Trivia
Multiple choice - Sign in to save + leaderboard - View all-time leaderboard
Score: 0 / 0
All-time leaderboard
Your results
The Story of January 28, 1938

On January 28, 1938, significant events unfolded in the United States, including the wedding of H.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of January 1938

Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.

1 Ballpoint Pen
Learn More
Ballpoint Pen
2 Atomic Fission Discovery
Learn More
Atomic Fission Discovery
3 Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
Learn More
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
4 Duplex Transmission Radio
Learn More
Duplex Transmission Radio
5 Gas Turbine Engine Improvements
Learn More
Gas Turbine Engine Improvements
6 Automatic Telephone Switching
Learn More
Automatic Telephone Switching
7 Instant Coffee
Learn More
Instant Coffee
8 Television Camera Tube Improvements
Learn More
Television Camera Tube Improvements
9 Aircraft Cabin Oxygen Systems
Learn More
Aircraft Cabin Oxygen Systems
10 Electric Hearing Aid
Learn More
Electric Hearing Aid

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON January 28, 1938

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Harvey Campbell's Historic Achievement. Impact: Harvey Campbell's name went on to be used in thousands of sitcoms as the quintessential everyman, leading to the rise of the 'Harvey' archetype in television. His mundane existence inspired a generation of characters to complain about their lives, starting a chain reaction of sitcoms that would eventually lead to the invention of reality TV.. Fact: Did you know that Harvey Campbell is often mistaken for other Harveys, like the invisible rabbit or the one who gets caught in scandalous headlines? Talk about identity crisis!.
  • Headline: H. Spencer Auguste Marries Helen Flint. Impact: This marriage sparked a series of disastrous celebrity marriages that would shape tabloids for decades. If only they had known that marrying an actress would lead to a reality show about their messy breakup!. Fact: Did you know that H. Spencer Auguste’s idea of love was probably just as romantic as a bank statement? Nothing says true love like financial security!.
  • Headline: Col Roosevelt Honored by Scouts. Impact: This honor for Roosevelt not only solidified his legacy but also made him the go-to guy for every future president seeking to boost their approval ratings with a flag ceremony. Who knew a simple presentation could lead to endless photo ops for years to come?. Fact: Did you know that Roosevelt once tried to tame a bear? That may explain why he liked ceremonies involving flagsβ€”much less risky than wrestling wildlife!.
  • Headline: FERDINAND M. STARR. Impact: Ferdinand M. Starr’s legacy of being remembered only by those who accidentally stumbled upon his name in history books contributed to the rise of the 'forgotten genius' trope, inspiring countless underachievers to claim they were once brilliant.. Fact: Did you know that Ferdinand M. Starr was not related to any of the famous Starring families? Just goes to show that not all stars shine bright!.
  • Headline: ISAAC NEWTON LEWIS DIES IN HIS 101ST YEAR; Resident of Jamaica Since 1856 Long a Tinsmith-Helped to Lay First Jamaica Gas Lines. Impact: The death of Isaac Newton Lewis marked the end of an era where tinsmiths were considered the ultimate problem solvers. This paved the way for modern engineers who still can't seem to fix anything without a manual.. Fact: Did you know that Isaac Newton Lewis was not related to Sir Isaac Newton? It’s a common misconception that makes family reunions super awkward!.
  • Headline: RALPH BARDWELL, BANKER 75 YEARS; Chairman of Pittsfield, Mass, Third National Dies--With Institution Since 1864. Impact: Ralph Bardwell’s lengthy career inspired bankers worldwide to cling to their jobs for dear life, hoping to match his record. As a result, the phrase 'lifers' became synonymous with those who just can’t let go of their cubicles.. Fact: Did you know that Ralph Bardwell once tried to start a β€˜bring your pet to work’ day at the bank? It didn’t go wellβ€”turns out, dogs aren’t great at managing portfolios!.
  • Headline: Philadelphia Conductor To Get Mahler Award. Impact: Winning the Mahler Award not only boosted the conductor's ego but also inadvertently led to the rise of overly dramatic orchestral performances that made classical music the go-to soundtrack for every emotional moment in film.. Fact: Did you know that conductors are basically the rock stars of the orchestra? Too bad they never get the same groupiesβ€”unless you count the violins!.
  • Headline: J. B. MILLET DEAD; EDITOR, INVENTOR; Bostonian Invented a Safety Device for Ships Which Won Praise From Edison. Impact: J.B. Millet's invention not only saved countless lives at sea but also inadvertently inspired future inventors to take credit for other people's ideas, leading to a long line of patent disputes.. Fact: Did you know that J.B. Millet’s invention was so good that it made Edison rethink his entire career? Sure, Edison is known for the light bulb, but have you ever tried to make a ship safe from sinking?.
  • Headline: INA CLAIRE IN NEW PLAY; ' Once Is Enough,' by Lonsdale, Is Given in New Haven. Impact: Ina Claire's performance in this play set off a trend of actresses playing roles that would later inspire countless rom-coms where one date is enough to decide if they should get married. Spoiler alert: It usually ends in chaos.. Fact: Did you know that the title 'Once Is Enough' was originally 'Please Don’t Call Me Again'? It just didn’t have the same ring to it, did it?.
  • Headline: JACKSON IS NAMED SOLICITOR GENERAL; Sharp Senate Clash Is Predicted as Roosevelt Sends In Nomination. Impact: Jackson's nomination sparked a chain of political clashes that would ultimately lead to an increase in reality TV shows about political drama. Because who doesn’t love a good fight over legal jargon?. Fact: Did you know that being Solicitor General is like being the lawyer for the universe? Good luck explaining that one to your relatives at Thanksgiving!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1938, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1938
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,940

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1938, it would be worth $3,433,940 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1938
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,656

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1938, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
CVX
Chevron
Price in 1938
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$474,914

Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1938, it would be worth $474,914 today (474.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Action Comics #1
Action Comics #1
$8,000
Detective Comics #16
Detective Comics #16
$10,200
Adventure Comics #32
Adventure Comics #32
$50,000
Famous Funnies #47
Famous Funnies #47
$1,200
The Funnies #12
The Funnies #12
$42,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Scrabble
Scrabble
$250.00
MÀrklin Electric Trains
MÀrklin Electric Trains
$300.00
Monopoly
Monopoly
$200.00
Tinkertoys
Tinkertoys
$150.00
Radio Flyer Wagon
Radio Flyer Wagon
$120.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War #1 It's War
1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War #1 It's War
$2,500
1938 Churchman's Boxing Personalities Joe Louis
1938 Churchman's Boxing Personalities Joe Louis
$32,000
1938 Wills's Three Castles Film Stars Clark Gable
1938 Wills's Three Castles Film Stars Clark Gable
$80,000
1938 Player's Cigarettes Film Stars Second Series Charlie Chaplin
1938 Player's Cigarettes Film Stars Second Series Charlie Chaplin
$250,000
1938 Gallaher Famous Cricketers Don Bradman
1938 Gallaher Famous Cricketers Don Bradman
$15,000