JANUARY 9, 1940

TUESDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1940
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $8,324,276 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.30
Median_Home_Price: $4,000.00
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 1940
1 Boom Town
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Boom Town
2 The Great Dictator
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The Great Dictator
3 Rebecca
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Rebecca
4 North West Mounted Police
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North West Mounted Police
5 Strike Up the Band
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Strike Up the Band
6 Northwest Passage
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Northwest Passage
7 Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
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Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
8 The Fighting 69th
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The Fighting 69th
9 Santa Fe Trail
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Santa Fe Trail
10 Kitty Foyle
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Kitty Foyle
Gone with the Wind
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Gone with the Wind
Ninotchka
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Ninotchka
Of Mice and Men
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Of Mice and Men
Allegheny Uprising
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Allegheny Uprising
Remember?
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Remember?
A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
January 9, 1940 Trivia
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The Story of January 9, 1940

On January 9, 1940, a tragic event unfolded as a Salt Lake City man was slain by a Mexican bandit during a robbery while he was touring.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of January 1940

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

1 Photocopier (Xerography)
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Photocopier (Xerography)
2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Concept
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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Concept
3 Jet Engine Flight Demonstration
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Jet Engine Flight Demonstration
4 Synthetic Detergent
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Synthetic Detergent
5 Mass-Produced Nylon Stockings
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Mass-Produced Nylon Stockings
6 Proximity Fuse
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Proximity Fuse
7 Electronic Fire Control System
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Electronic Fire Control System
8 Polyurethane Foam
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Polyurethane Foam
9 Early Speech Recognition Machine
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Early Speech Recognition Machine
10 Automatic Anti-Lock Brakes Concept
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Automatic Anti-Lock Brakes Concept

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON January 9, 1940

Full News Archive

  • Headline: New York's Influence on Careers in 1940. Impact: If only New York had known that 'On career' would lead to countless motivational posters and an absurd number of people quitting their jobs to become Instagram influencers. Thanks, New York!. Fact: Did you know that 'career' is just another word for 'soul-sucking existence' in some circles? You're welcome..
  • Headline: Tragic Death of American Tourist in Mexico. Impact: The unfortunate demise of the Salt Lake City man at the hands of a Mexican bandit sparked an underground movement for better travel safety, leading to the creation of absurdly detailed travel advisories that still leave you questioning why you even left the house.. Fact: Did you know that robbing tourists has a long and storied history? It's basically the ancient version of 'I thought it was a free sample!'.
  • Headline: Little Triumphs in LA Golf Tournament. Impact: Little's narrow victory in the golf tourney set off a chain reaction that led to thousands of people suddenly believing they could become professional golfers, resulting in a national shortage of golf clubs and an uptick in sunburns.. Fact: Did you know that golf was once considered a sport for the elite? Now, it's just a great way to ruin a weekend with friends and lose a ball in the bushes..
  • Headline: BUCKNER CONVICTION UPHELD BY COURT; Prosecutor Criticized for 'Parading' Actresses at the Trial. Impact: Buckner's conviction prompted a wave of legal dramas that forever changed the landscape of courtroom television. Who knew a mail fraud case could lead to endless hours of binge-watching? Thanks, W.P. Buckner!. Fact: Did you know that courtrooms are basically just reality TV with more paperwork? You can’t make this stuff upβ€”oh wait, they did!.
  • Headline: Miss Perkins Drops Move to Deport Bridges In Accepting Landis Report on 'Red' Charge. Impact: Perkins' decision to drop the deportation of Bridges inadvertently paved the way for future debates on immigration that would become the favorite pastime of every political pundit ever. Thanks for the hot takes, Perkins!. Fact: Did you know that political decisions often come down to someone's 'gut feeling' and not actual research? Makes you feel great about the fate of the country, right?.
  • Headline: PARTY'S HANDS OFF ALBANY MAJORITY; Republicans Scrap Guidance Over Legislature by State Executive Committee STEP AIDS SHORT SESSION Chiefs Tell Both Houses of Plan to Adjourn by March 15 --Betting Action in Doubt. Impact: The Republicans' hands-off approach in Albany led to a bureaucratic free-for-all, inspiring countless memes about politicians doing absolutely nothing while still collecting salaries. Bravo!. Fact: Did you know that in politics, doing nothing can sometimes be considered a strategic move? Just ask any politician who’s ever existed..
  • Headline: WINTER IS A GOOD FELLOW. Impact: Winter being a 'good fellow' led to the creation of various winter-themed songs and a bizarre obsession with snowmen that still haunts us every December. Thanks, winter, for the existential dread!. Fact: Did you know that winter is literally just nature's way of reminding us that we are all fragile beings who will eventually succumb to the cold? Cheers!.
  • Headline: Mothers Clubs Give Dinner. Impact: The League of Mothers Clubs dinner created a ripple effect that birthed the notion of potlucks, leading to a glorious era of questionable casserole dishes and mysterious side dishes that no one really wanted to try.. Fact: Did you know that potlucks are essentially a game of culinary roulette? You never know if you're getting grandma's secret recipe or last week's leftovers..
  • Headline: Husband, Wife on Same Jury. Impact: Having a husband and wife on the same jury marked a turning point in the history of marital disagreementsβ€”leading to the famous phrase, 'You can't even agree on a verdict!' Thanks for the sitcom material, St. Clairsville!. Fact: Did you know that jury duty is the only time you can legally sit next to your spouse and not argue about whose turn it is to do the dishes? What a win!.
  • Headline: F.D. HUNTINGTON ENDS HIS OWN LIFE; Hosiery Concern Official Is a Suicide After Killing Pet Dog at Burial Plot HEART AILMENT IS CAUSE Noted Harvard Hockey Player Is Found Dead by Brother at Hadley, Mass.. Impact: Huntington's tragic suicide after killing his pet dog sent shockwaves through the community, raising awareness about mental health and the importance of seeking helpβ€”ultimately leading to a greater understanding of the complexities of human emotions.. Fact: Did you know that mental health struggles are often hidden behind a smile? It's a tragedy that many face, but awareness can lead to changeβ€”let's keep the conversation going..

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1940, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1940
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,941

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $3,433,941 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1940
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,657

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Price in 1940
$0.69
2025 dataset value
$147,887

Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Batman #1
Batman #1
$2,220,000
Flash Comics #1
Flash Comics #1
$1,500
Green Lantern #1
Green Lantern #1
$150,000
Detective Comics #38
Detective Comics #38
$42,000
All Star Comics #3
All Star Comics #3
$2,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Lone Ranger Frontier Town
Lone Ranger Frontier Town
$150.00
Red Ryder BB Gun
Red Ryder BB Gun
$250.00
Sorry!
Sorry!
$30.00
Paper Dolls
Paper Dolls
$35.00
Microscope Kit
Microscope Kit
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Walt Disney Comics and Stories #1 Card
Walt Disney Comics and Stories #1 Card
$800
Superman Gum Cards
Superman Gum Cards
$800
G-Men and Heroes of the Law
G-Men and Heroes of the Law
$11.00
1940 War Gum Cards
1940 War Gum Cards
$1,500
1940 Play Ball Baseball Cards
1940 Play Ball Baseball Cards
$3,000