FEBRUARY 17, 1938

THURSDAY
$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
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2 Boys Town
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Boys Town
3 Alexander's Ragtime Band
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Alexander's Ragtime Band
4 Test Pilot
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Test Pilot
5 You Can't Take It with You
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You Can't Take It with You
6 Sweethearts
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Sweethearts
7 In Old Chicago
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In Old Chicago
8 The Adventures of Robin Hood
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
9 Love Finds Andy Hardy
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Love Finds Andy Hardy
10 Marie Antoinette
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Marie Antoinette
Algiers
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Algiers
The Buccaneer
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The Buccaneer
After the Thin Man
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After the Thin Man
The Good Earth
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The Good Earth
Nothing Sacred
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Nothing Sacred
The Hurricane
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The Hurricane
The Prisoner of Zenda
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The Prisoner of Zenda
Conquest
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Conquest
Heidi
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Heidi
True Confession
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True Confession
Madame X
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Madame X
February 17, 1938 Trivia
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The Story of February 17, 1938

On February 17, 1938, amidst rising tensions in Europe and economic recovery in the United States, a significant incident unfolded when a man was apprehended after attempting a hold-up, having $274 in cash on him.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of February 1938

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

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

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON February 17, 1938

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Marco Polo's Travels Revisited. Impact: If Marco Polo hadn't written about his travels, we might have never invented the concept of vacation selfies. Thanks, Marco, for giving us wanderlust and Instagram envy centuries later!. Fact: Did you know that Marco Polo's travels were so famous that they inspired countless explorers, which in turn led to the rise of travel agencies? Talk about a chain reaction!.
  • Headline: Chain Store Tax Controversy Unfolds. Impact: Calling the chain store tax 'vicious' was the beginning of a long, drawn-out saga of businesses trying to dodge taxes. Little did they know, they were just setting the stage for future tax evasion drama series.. Fact: Did you know that tax evasion is often more popular than paying taxes? Shocking, I know! Who doesn't love a good heist?.
  • Headline: Caught With $274 in Hold-Up. Impact: This hold-up incident likely sparked a trend in how to successfully rob a storeβ€”with a side of shame, of course. I mean, who carries exactly $274? A criminal mastermind or a bad accountant?. Fact: Did you know that the average person thinks they can plan a robbery without a hitch? Spoiler: they can’t. But it’s adorable that they think so!.
  • Headline: 28% Gain by Insurance Company. Impact: This insurance company gain was the start of many more questionable investment choices and even more questionable financial advice being offered in the following decades. Thanks for that, insurance!. Fact: Did you know that people often buy insurance thinking it will save them? In reality, it's just a fancy way of saying 'give me money for nothing!'.
  • Headline: TEN EYCK ASHES FOR RIVER; Will Be Scattered Over Hudson Where His Crews Raced. Impact: Ten Eyck's ashes being scattered over the Hudson? That’s one way to ensure your legacy floats along with the rest of the 'greats'β€”or just a really dramatic send-off.. Fact: Did you know that scattering ashes has become a popular way to 'keep someone close'? It’s like being a part of nature, but with a slightly morbid twist!.
  • Headline: HEADS AVIATION CORP.; V. Emanuel Succeeds Manning in Former Cord Unit. Impact: Emanuel stepping up as president of Aviation Corp signaled the beginning of a new era in aviation leadershipβ€”one that would eventually lead to the 'everyone should fly' idea that has led to today's airport security lines.. Fact: Did you know that the first commercial airline flight took place in 1914? And people thought it was a good idea to keep flying after thatβ€”what a gamble!.
  • Headline: SALOME' ARTISTS CHEERED BY THRONG; Marjorie Lawrence Sings the Title Role in a Brilliant Manner at Metropolitan MAISON APPEARS AS HEROD Miss Branzell Interprets Part of Herodias--Panizza Holds the Baton Miss Lawrence Praised Popularity of Opera Foreseen John Charles Thomas's Recital Town Hall Endowment Fund. Impact: Marjorie Lawrence's performance might have inspired a generation of divas, leading to the rise of dramatic opera battles that still echo through the agesβ€”especially during karaoke nights.. Fact: Did you know that opera singers often have to train for years to hit those high notes? So, next time you're at karaoke, maybe stick to 'Wonderwall' instead!.
  • Headline: ALAN R. HAWLEY, BALLOONIST, DIES; Missing a Week With Post on Record Flight for Bennett Air Trophy in 1910 FORMER AERO CLUB HEAD Leader in Civil Aviation One of Founders of Automobile Club of America An Automobile Club Founder Set Mark of 1,173 Miles Leader in Civil Aviation. Impact: Alan R. Hawley's death marked a pivotal moment in civil aviation history, leading to a surge in aviation safety regulations. Thanks, Alanβ€”your legacy is literally keeping us in the air.. Fact: Did you know that Hawley was a pioneer in aviation and a key figure in early air races? If only he knew those races would lead to the chaos of modern air travel!.

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