OCTOBER 18, 1939

WEDNESDAY
$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
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Union Pacific
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Union Pacific
Gunga Din
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Gunga Din
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
Beau Geste
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Beau Geste
The Man in the Iron Mask
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The Man in the Iron Mask
Five Came Back
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Five Came Back
Each Dawn I Die
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Each Dawn I Die
Bachelor Mother
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Bachelor Mother
Intermezzo: A Love Story
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Intermezzo: A Love Story
The Old Maid
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The Old Maid
Golden Boy
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Golden Boy
In Name Only
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In Name Only
The Three Musketeers
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The Three Musketeers
Dark Victory
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Dark Victory
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame
When Tomorrow Comes
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When Tomorrow Comes
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
Listen, Darling
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Listen, Darling
Kentucky
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Kentucky
October 18, 1939 Trivia
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The Story of October 18, 1939

On October 18, 1939, significant political tensions were evident in America and abroad.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of October 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 October 18, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Milk Pact Dispute: Harmon Responds to LaGuardia. Impact: If only Harmon had just agreed to the milk pact, perhaps the world would have never known the joy of soy milk. Imagine a universe where dairy farms ruled the economy and lactose intolerance was merely a myth.. Fact: Did you know that milk has been at the center of more scandals than most politicians? Who knew curdled cream could create such drama!.
  • Headline: Saracoglu Departs Moscow Amid Breakdown. Impact: Saracoglu's departure from Moscow was the butterfly that flapped its wings, ultimately leading to a confusing series of treaties that would leave historians scratching their heads for decades. 'Near' is the new 'never.'. Fact: Fun fact: Saracoglu probably left Moscow just in time to avoid the ice-cold reception of failed negotiations. Talk about a 'chilly' relationship!.
  • Headline: Duke's Chef Raises Culinary Concerns. Impact: The Duke of Windsor’s chef complaining might have sparked a culinary revolution. Who knew a disgruntled chef could lead to the rise of food bloggers and gourmet food trucks decades later?. Fact: Did you know that if the Duke's chef had just learned to cook with a little more flair, he could have avoided complaints? Guess culinary skills weren't on the royal agenda!.
  • Headline: France Orders One Day Meatless, One Beefless. Impact: This one-day meatless and beefless order created a domino effect. Who knew that by skipping meat, France would inadvertently pave the way for the vegetarianism craze of the 21st century? The cows are mooing in relief.. Fact: Fun fact: This was probably the first 'Meatless Monday' initiative. Who knew it would take a world war to make it trendy?.
  • Headline: LONG RANGE PLAN FOR REFUGEE CARE; President Tells Intergovernmental Group War May Make20,000,000 HomelessFOR STUDY OF NEW AREASHull Welcomes the Committeeand Lord Winterton LaudsOur Record in Relief. Impact: The long-range plan for refugee care was a pivotal moment that would echo through time, shaping humanitarian laws and policies. Unfortunately, it also paved the way for endless debates about the effectiveness of such plans. Spoiler: They’re still arguing.. Fact: Did you know that the number of homeless people post-war could have filled an entire city? And yet, here we are, still struggling with the same issue decades later!.
  • Headline: NEW SHIP CLAUSES TO PUSH ARMS BILL; As Pittman Sets Rezoning for Today, Leaders Predict Senate Vote by Late Next Week FILIBUSTER TALK LULLED Wash and Danaher Oppose Repeal, Maloney Defends It in Five-Hour Debate. Impact: New ship clauses pushing the arms bill? Sounds like the start of a thrilling saga where politicians arm wrestle over the right to arm. Who knew bureaucracy could be so action-packed?. Fact: Did you know that filibusters are just politicians' way of saying, 'I’m not done talking yet!' It’s like a never-ending lecture, but with more paperwork..
  • Headline: JUDGE LEHMAN GETS LAWYERS' BACKING; Directors of New York County Association Favor Candidacy. Impact: Lehman getting backing from lawyers is like a cat getting support from a pack of mice. This event might have led to the entire New York legal community becoming even more entrenched in their own little world of legalese.. Fact: Did you know that in the world of law, the phrase 'backing' usually means 'we'll support you... until we don’t'? It’s a real cliffhanger!.
  • Headline: KALININ REASSURES PRESIDENT ON FINNS; Soviet Head Says Security of the Two Countries Is All That Is Sought. Impact: Kalinin's reassurance about Finnish security must have sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community. It’s like a game of trust, where everyone is waiting for someone to drop the ball. Spoiler alert: they did.. Fact: Did you know that Finland has a long history of finding itself in the middle of geopolitical squabbles? It’s the international equivalent of being the kid picked last for dodgeball..
  • Headline: JAPAN CALLS SHIPS HOME; Decree Excludes Foreign Fishing Craft From Mexican Ports. Impact: Japan calling ships home might have been the catalyst for a global fishing industry renaissance. Imagine a world where fishing boats returned home and formed a union. Fishy politics at its finest!. Fact: Did you know that banning foreign fishing boats is like telling your neighbor they can't borrow your lawnmower? It’s all fun and games until someone gets a rusty blade!.
  • Headline: LEHMAN ACCLAIMS ROLE OF RELIGION; It Stands as Chief Foe of New Political Ideologies, He Tells Episcopal Synod Session. Impact: Lehman’s acclamation of religion as the chief foe of political ideologies probably led to an unexpected rise in religious debates. Who would have thought that politics and religion could be such a volatile mix? Talk about a recipe for chaos!. Fact: Fun fact: When politicians start talking about religion, you might as well grab popcorn. It’s bound to get interestingβ€”and messy!.

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