AUGUST 4, 1939

FRIDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1939
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,875,940 IN 2025
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 By August 4, 1939
1 Goodbye, Mr. Chips
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Goodbye, Mr. Chips
2 Beau Geste
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Beau Geste
3 The Man in the Iron Mask
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The Man in the Iron Mask
4 Bachelor Mother
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Bachelor Mother
5 You Can't Take It with You
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You Can't Take It with You
6 Alexander's Ragtime Band
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Alexander's Ragtime Band
7 The Adventures of Robin Hood
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
8 Gunga Din
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Gunga Din
9 A Yank at Oxford
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A Yank at Oxford
10 Love Finds Andy Hardy
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Love Finds Andy Hardy
Son of Frankenstein
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Son of Frankenstein
Jesse James
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Jesse James
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
Only Angels Have Wings
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Only Angels Have Wings
Young Mr. Lincoln
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Young Mr. Lincoln
Confessions of a Nazi Spy
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Confessions of a Nazi Spy
Love Affair
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Love Affair
Five Came Back
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Five Came Back
Dodge City
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Dodge City
The Three Musketeers
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The Three Musketeers
Dark Victory
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Dark Victory
On Borrowed Time
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On Borrowed Time
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
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Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
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
August 4, 1939 Trivia
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The Story of August 4, 1939

On August 4, 1939, an unusual incident captured public attention as an individual sustained a broken jaw while attempting to stop a ball tossed from a blimp.

🧠 Inventions of 1939

Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.

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

HEADLINES ON August 4, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Blimp Ball Incident Injures Local Man. Impact: J Sprinz's jaw injury sparked a new trend in 'extreme sports'β€”involving blimps and reckless ball tossing, of course. This led to the rise of blimp-based dodgeball leagues in the 1980s. It was as chaotic as it sounds, and just as regrettable.. Fact: Did you know that blimp safety regulations were completely non-existent until after this incident? Thanks for the heads up, J!.
  • Headline: New Leadership at W. E. Burnet & Co.. Impact: The partnership at W. E. Burnet & Co. inadvertently set off a chain reaction of questionable business decisions that culminated in an infamous 'Burnet Blunder' that haunted the firm's reputation for decades. It’s funny how one promotion can lead to corporate chaos.. Fact: Fun fact: W. E. Burnet & Co. later became famous for producing the world's least popular office supplies. You know, the ones that no one wants..
  • Headline: Edythe Sykes a Bride-Elect. Impact: Edythe Sykes's engagement caused a nationwide spike in wedding-themed Pinterest boards, inadvertently leading to the rise of DIY disasters and regrettable themed weddings. Thank you, Edythe, for unleashing the 'Rustic Barn' aesthetic.. Fact: Did you know that wedding planning now has its own therapy divisions? Edythe should have seen that coming!.
  • Headline: RUMSON IS VICTOR, 7-5; Halts Monmouth Whites to Gain Herbert Cup Polo Final. Impact: Rumson's victory at the polo match marked a pivotal moment in equestrian sports, inspiring a generation of young polo players who went on to invent 'polo with drones.' Yes, that’s a real thing now.. Fact: The Herbert Cup was named after a guy who never played polo but was really good at being rich. Guess money can't buy skill, but it can buy trophies!.
  • Headline: CITY SUBWAYS BAR 'HARD LIQUOR' SIGNS; Advertising Contracts 1940 to 1944 Ban 'High-Powered Alcoholic Products' MOVE DUE TO COMPLAINTS Bids, to Be Received Today, Must Agree to Drop 'Objectionable' Posters at Once. Impact: The ban on hard liquor advertising in subways started a long, long debate about whether it's better to be bombarded with ads for overpriced vodka or to just be left to sip on your lukewarm coffee in peace. Spoiler: neither option is great.. Fact: This decision led to the introduction of the 'Gourmet Coffee' sign, which was just as pretentious as it sounds. Enjoy your artisanal train ride!.
  • Headline: Mrs. Ned L. Pines Has Daughter. Impact: The birth of Mrs. Ned L. Pines's daughter resulted in the birth of yet another generation of 'Mrs. Ned L. Pines' wannabes hoping to live up to the family legacy. Sorry, kiddo, but your name is already a mouthful.. Fact: Did you know that 'Ned' is actually a name that fell out of favor? So good luck explaining that one to your friends, little Pinelet!.
  • Headline: WISCONSIN SHIFTS UNIVERSITY BOARD; Abolishes Body That Ousted Frank, Provides New One. Impact: The shake-up in Wisconsin's university board led to a series of administrative changes that eventually resulted in the infamous 'Wisconsin Cheese Curriculum.' Because when in doubt, add more cheese!. Fact: Abolishing the old board meant they had to come up with a new excuse for why they couldn't fix the campus Wi-Fi. Classic!.
  • Headline: PARTY IN SARATOGA HONORS JOHN BELLS; Philadelphians Entertained at Spa by Mr. and Mrs. Fitz Eugene Dixon Gives Party for 400 Children. Impact: The extravagant party for 400 needy children sparked a nationwide trend of rich people trying to outdo each other with charitable events, leading to the absurdity of 'Charity Gala Olympics.' Because why not compete to give?. Fact: Mr. Dixon's party was so lavish that the kids probably thought they were at a royal wedding. Spoiler: they were not!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1939, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1939
$0.06
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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
⚾ Top 5 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