MAY 14, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Dr. George W. Truett Reviews Photography. Impact: Dr. George W. Truett's work on photography might have unwittingly led to the rise of social media influencers. Who knew that a little bit of light and lens could transition us from cowboys to Kardashians?. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'influencer' didn’t exist back then, but if it did, Dr. Truett would have been the original one—just without the free products and sponsored posts.
• Headline: Fluid Drive Introduced for Imperials. Impact: The introduction of Fluid Drive in cars revolutionized the automotive industry, leading to more people driving like they were in a video game. Thanks to this innovation, today’s road rage can be traced back to the fluid dynamics of the Imperials. Fact: Fluid Drive: because who doesn’t want their car to feel like it’s in a perpetual state of gentle turbulence?.
• Headline: New Mystery Stories. Impact: The release of 'Send Another Coffin' set in motion a cultural fascination with mystery stories. Little did they know, this would eventually lead to a plethora of true crime podcasts that would keep every coffee shop buzzing. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more mysterious than the plot of this story is why anyone thought 'Send Another Coffin' was a good title for a bestseller.
• Headline: MODERN EQUIPMENT AIDS HOME SAFETY; Proper Precautions in Design and Furnishings Reduce Accident Toll STAIRS NEED WATCHING Poor Lighting, Loose Rugs and Slippery Floors Cause of Most Falls. Impact: The emphasis on home safety precautions may have inadvertently led to the rise of DIY home improvement shows. Now, instead of just avoiding slippery floors, we’re all trying to avoid the slippery slope of bad home decor decisions. Fact: Did you know that 'home safety' was once just called 'common sense'? Thank goodness for articles like these to remind us how to not trip over our own rugs.
• Headline: POISON RING SQUAD CONFERS IN BROOKLYN; Philadelphia Detectives Visit District Attorney Geoghan. Impact: The conferring of poison ring detectives in Brooklyn probably inspired countless mystery novels and films. Who knew that coordinating with the police could be the start of a new genre?. Fact: In a twist of irony, the only 'poison' in this meeting was the caffeine from all the coffee they likely consumed discussing the case.
• Headline: NEW OPERA BY PIETRI. Impact: Pietri’s new opera might have laid the groundwork for the eventual explosion of Italian opera in America, igniting a love affair that would make even the most stoic New Yorkers weep at the sound of a tenor. Fact: Fun fact: If Pietri had known that people would still be belting out operatic arias in the shower decades later, he might have charged for concert tickets instead of just sheet music.
• Headline: A REVIEWER'S NOTEBOOK: MANY SHOWS; Brief Comment on Recently Opened Group and Solo Exhibitions --New Attractions in Museums and in the Galleries. Impact: The reviews of museum exhibitions created a ripple effect that would lead to the rise of art critics and bloggers. If only the artists knew their work would be judged with such harsh scrutiny, they might have just painted by numbers!. Fact: Did you know that back in 1939, ‘art critic’ was just code for ‘someone who thinks they know better than the artist’? Spoiler: they often don’t.
• Headline: FOR AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS; NIGHT SHOTS AT THE FAIR Amateur Camera Men Can Get Striking Effects Despite Obstacles. Impact: The tips for amateur photographers would later inspire a global obsession with photography, leading to a billion selfies and making 'Say cheese!' a common phrase across generations. Fact: Did you know that amateur photographers were once called 'snappers'? Today, they’re more likely to be called 'social media influencers' and are typically found in the wilds of brunch spots.