DECEMBER 17, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Music Box Review Broadcast. Impact: The music box review sparked a miniature revolution in the audio industry, leading to an unexpected boom in holiday cheer. People began gifting music boxes, creating a nationwide obsession that somehow resulted in a spike in polka dancing, and thus, the polka revival of the 21st century was born. You're welcome, hipsters.. Fact: Did you know that music boxes were originally developed in Switzerland in the 18th century? They were the original Spotify, only with fewer playlists and a lot more wind-up cranks!.
• Headline: Lombardi's Catnap: A Sports Oddity. Impact: Lombardi's catnap inadvertently inspired the 'Power Nap' movement decades later. Little did he know that his unwillingness to stay awake during a game would lead to countless office workers justifying their afternoon snoozes by invoking his name. Lombardi is now the patron saint of laziness.. Fact: In the world of sports, catnaps are now considered a strategic advantage, as long as you're not a player trying to avoid getting benched for dozing off during a game!.
• Headline: Exploring the Everglades: 1939 Expedition. Impact: This boat trip into the Everglades eventually led to an explosion of eco-tourism, transforming Florida into a swampy Disneyland. Those who once ventured into the wilderness for peace and quiet now share the same space with selfie sticks and alligator-shaped floaties.. Fact: The Everglades is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist. It’s like a swampy version of a family reunion—awkward but fascinating!.
• Headline: CHINA ORDERS 50 PLANES; $550,457 Contract Placed With Company in California. Impact: China's order for 50 planes was the start of a friendly arms race that would eventually lead to the invention of aerial karaoke bars. Who knew that military contracts could pave the way for such thrilling entertainment?. Fact: In the 1930s, the idea of ordering planes sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi novel. Now we just order pizza online—progress?.
• Headline: NLRB REGION CHIEF SAYS BOARD OUSTED HIM FOR BEING FAIR; J.P. Miller, Former Cleveland Head, Asserts He Was Told to Make Industry 'Fear' Him BY BOARD'S 'GOON SQUAD' Calls Latter Witt's Agents-- They Reported Miller Had 'Displeased' Rubber Union. Impact: Miller's testimony ignited a series of events that led to the creation of HR departments as we know them today. His struggle against the 'goon squad' made bosses rethink their strategies, leading to a sudden influx of motivational posters in break rooms everywhere.. Fact: The phrase 'goon squad' has evolved to describe any workplace team that is just too enthusiastic about team-building exercises. Beware of the trust falls!.
• Headline: SOUNDING OFF FOR '40. Impact: Krock's commentary was so compelling that it led to the unprecedented rise of 'indispensable' personalities in politics. Now, everyone believes they are the main character in a political drama, leading to endless debates and Twitter wars.. Fact: The idea of being 'indispensable' is as old as time itself—just ask any toddler who refuses to let go of their favorite toy during the tantrum phase. Spoiler alert: they're usually wrong!.
• Headline: FORECLOSURES SHOW LOW MONTHLY RECORD; October Total in Nation Smallest for Twelve Years. Impact: The low foreclosure rates in October inadvertently led to a false sense of security in the housing market, resulting in an unexpected housing bubble years later. Who knew that a good month could lead to a decade of chaos?. Fact: Foreclosures are like the bad reality TV shows of the housing market—everyone knows they're a train wreck, but we just can't seem to look away!.
• Headline: ISSUES 1940 YEARBOOK; Brooklyn Board's Diary Gives Many Helpful Facts. Impact: The issuance of the 1940 yearbook became a beloved tradition, inspiring future generations to document their lives in increasingly ridiculous ways. Future yearbooks featured everything from selfies to TikTok dances, all thanks to a simple diary.. Fact: Yearbooks were originally designed to commemorate the lives of students, but they quickly devolved into a competition of who had the best hairstyle. Spoiler alert: it’s never the mullet!.
• Headline: UNDER POSTAGE: PICASSO. Impact: Picasso's artworks became the catalyst for modern art movements, leading to a never-ending debate about what constitutes 'real' art. The reply to the letter was so profound it inspired a generation of art students to scribble on napkins and call it genius.. Fact: Picasso once said, 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.' I guess that means we should all just embrace our inner five-year-old and color outside the lines!.