MAY 8, 1939

MONDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1939
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,875,940 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.30
Median_Home_Price: $4,150.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.18
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.09
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.30
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.55
Top Movies From 1939
1 Gone with the Wind
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Gone with the Wind
2 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
3 Jesse James
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Jesse James
4 Babes in Arms
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Babes in Arms
5 The Wizard of Oz
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The Wizard of Oz
6 Goodbye, Mr. Chips
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Goodbye, Mr. Chips
7 Dodge City
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Dodge City
8 The Rains Came
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The Rains Came
9 The Women
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The Women
10 Drums Along the Mohawk
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Drums Along the Mohawk
Son of Frankenstein
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Son of Frankenstein
Made for Each Other
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Made for Each Other
Idiot's Delight
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Idiot's Delight
The Oklahoma Kid
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The Oklahoma Kid
Stagecoach
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Stagecoach
Midnight
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Midnight
The Ice Follies of 1939
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The Ice Follies of 1939
The Hound of the Baskervilles
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The Hound of the Baskervilles
They Made Me a Criminal
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They Made Me a Criminal
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
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The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
The Little Princess
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The Little Princess
Union Pacific
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Union Pacific
Gunga Din
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Gunga Din
Confessions of a Nazi Spy
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Confessions of a Nazi Spy
Love Affair
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Love Affair
The Three Musketeers
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The Three Musketeers
Dark Victory
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Dark Victory
Angels with Dirty Faces
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Angels with Dirty Faces
A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
The Dawn Patrol
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The Dawn Patrol
Five Came Back
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Five Came Back
Listen, Darling
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Listen, Darling
Kentucky
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Kentucky
May 8, 1939 Trivia
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The Story of May 8, 1939

On May 8, 1939, Rev.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1939

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

1 Jet-Powered Aircraft
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Jet-Powered Aircraft
2 Helicopter Practical Design
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Helicopter Practical Design
3 Electronic Digital Computer Prototype
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Electronic Digital Computer Prototype
4 FM Radio Broadcasting Service
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FM Radio Broadcasting Service
5 Fluorescent Light Commercialization
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Fluorescent Light Commercialization
6 Color Film (Kodachrome Improvements)
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Color Film (Kodachrome Improvements)
7 Aircraft Radar System
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Aircraft Radar System
8 Remote Control Device
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Remote Control Device
9 Microwave Oven Concept
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Microwave Oven Concept
10 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Improvements
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Automatic Fire Sprinkler Improvements

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON May 8, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Rev. McCombe's Sermon on Methodism. Impact: Rev. C.J. McCombe's sermon sparked a movement that led to the Great Complacency Rebellion of 2025, where churchgoers began to protest against boring sermons by throwing hymnals. This eventually evolved into a global trend of 'Sermon Slam' competitions.. Fact: Did you know that worshiping a 'God of Statistics' was actually a euphemism for the church's obsession with attendance numbers? Guess they weren't fans of the 'quality over quantity' mantra..
  • Headline: Ontario Oil Men Injured in Crash. Impact: The crash of two oil men in Ontario inadvertently led to a drastic increase in the demand for safety regulations in the oil industry, resulting in the creation of the 'Bumper Oil Men Act' of 2042. It's a thrilling tale of irony.. Fact: Did you know that Ontario is actually the Canadian province famous for its oil? Just kidding, it’s not. But hey, we all need a hobby, right?.
  • Headline: Suffolk County Attorney J. Harry Saxstein Dies. Impact: J. Harry Saxstein's untimely death triggered a series of events that led to the creation of the 'Saxstein Law' which mandated all attorneys to carry a fidget spinner for stress relief during trials. Legal proceedings have never been more entertaining.. Fact: Did you know that J. Harry Saxstein was known for his incredible ability to argue? Too bad his last case was against his own health..
  • Headline: Return of Free City to Germany May Be Decreed by Local Senate; Reports of Plan of Action to Force Reich's Help Gain Credence--Move Would Put the Burden of Any Military Action on Poland. Impact: The return of Free City to Germany set a chain reaction that led to an international debate on city names. Eventually, the United Nations had to step in to create the 'City Name Protection Treaty' of 2041. Because who wouldn't want to negotiate over city names?. Fact: Did you know that Danzig was once a free city? Now it’s just a reminder that geopolitics is basically a game of musical chairs, but with more at stake..
  • Headline: ENDS HER LIFE WITH RIFLE; Forest Hills Woman a Suicide at Up-State Ranch--Was Ill. Impact: The tragic suicide of the Forest Hills woman sparked a mental health awareness movement that led to the establishment of 'Talk It Out Tuesdays' in her community, where people gather to share their feelings, snacks included. Healing through cookies, the ultimate therapy.. Fact: Did you know that suicide is a serious issue that affects many? It's a stark reminder that we need to check in on our loved ones – more than just a quick text or a like on social media..
  • Headline: V.R. Horne Dies in Auto Crash. Impact: V.R. Horne's death in an auto crash led to the establishment of the 'Horne Safety Initiative,' which mandated that all vehicles be equipped with mandatory coffee holders and 'scream-proof' interiors. Because who needs distractions while driving?. Fact: Did you know that V.R. Horne was a notorious speedster? It's almost like the universe conspired to give him the ultimate 'slow down' message..
  • Headline: BALL WILL HONOR ROYALTIES' ESCORT; Event May 24 for Officers of the Cruisers Accompanying British King and Queen DEBUTANTE GROUP FORMED English Speaking Union and British Fair Committee Sponsors of Dance. Impact: The ball honoring the royals sparked a cultural renaissance in the British high society, leading to the invention of the 'Royal Dance-Off' – a competition where nobles take to the floor to prove their worthiness of royal favors. Who knew royalty could be so... entertaining?. Fact: Did you know that in the world of British high society, the dance floor is considered an Olympic sport? Just kidding, but wouldn't that be something?.
  • Headline: God an Active Contemporary. Impact: The sermon about God being an active contemporary caused a wave of modern reinterpretations of religious texts, leading to the 'Hashtag Bible' in 2035. Because who doesn’t want scripture with a side of trending topics?. Fact: Did you know that some people interpret God as a social media influencer? #Blessed indeed!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1939, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1939
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,942

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1939, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1939
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,657

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1939, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
CVX
Chevron
Price in 1939
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$474,913

Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1939, it would be worth $474,913 today (474.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Action Comics #10
Action Comics #10
$1,100
Detective Comics #27
Detective Comics #27
$3,000,000
Marvel Comics #1
Marvel Comics #1
$200,000
All-American Comics #1
All-American Comics #1
$150,000
Adventure Comics #40
Adventure Comics #40
$3,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
View-Master
View-Master
$40.00
Little Golden Books
Little Golden Books
$300.00
The Game of Cootie
The Game of Cootie
$50.00
Tinkertoy Joy Boy and Joy Girl Sets
Tinkertoy Joy Boy and Joy Girl Sets
$150.00
Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol
Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol
$1,200.00
⚾ Notable Trading Cards
W.D. & H.O. Wills 'Life in the Tree Tops'
W.D. & H.O. Wills 'Life in the Tree Tops'
$236.61
Churchman's 'Treasure Trove'
Churchman's 'Treasure Trove'
$492,000
Cadet Suite Collection 'World Wonders'
Cadet Suite Collection 'World Wonders'
$0
Players Cigarettes 'Cycling 1939'
Players Cigarettes 'Cycling 1939'
$10.00