FEBRUARY 25, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: R E Sherwood on Film Research Impact. Impact: R E Sherwood's film research sparked a chain reaction leading to the future obsession with historical accuracy in movies. If only they had consulted historians instead of Hollywood magic-makers, we might have fewer sword-wielding knights in space.. Fact: The phrase 'history seldom repeats' is often attributed to people who clearly haven’t seen the news in the last decade..
• Headline: Growth of Orchestras Study Release. Impact: The growth of orchestras not only shaped the musical landscape but also inadvertently led to an increased demand for tuxedo rentals. This caused a mini-economic crisis in the bow tie industry in the 1960s.. Fact: Before orchestras, people just gathered around a campfire and sang in terrible harmony. Progress, am I right?.
• Headline: Brooklyn Borough President R.V. Ingersoll Passes. Impact: R.V. Ingersoll's death marked the beginning of an endless loop of local politicians being replaced by increasingly bizarre characters, ultimately culminating in the rise of reality TV stars as public figures.. Fact: Ingersoll's support of La Guardia was so strong that it’s rumored he once tried to convince pigeons to vote for him..
• Headline: WATCH WINDOW FRAMES; Good Construction Is Essential for the New Home. Impact: The advice on window frames led to a revolution in home construction, where 'good construction' became a meme. This eventually resulted in an entire generation of DIY enthusiasts believing they could build anything with just a YouTube tutorial.. Fact: Installing window frames correctly is said to be the secret to a happy home. Or at least that's what your overly enthusiastic neighbor will tell you..
• Headline: Gardeners Are Urged to Resist The Impulse to Plant Too Soon; LOST SINCE 1790!. Impact: The warning against planting too soon has echoed through time, leading to countless gardening mishaps and the establishment of a seasonal gardening calendar that no one actually follows.. Fact: The phrase 'lost since 1790' is a gardener's way of saying, 'I don’t know where I put the seeds, but I swear they were here somewhere!'.
• Headline: LOUGHLIN ANNEXES U.S. TRACK TITLE; During the National A.A.U. Track Championships. Impact: Loughlin's victory in track laid the groundwork for the future of sports sponsorships. Little did they know, this would eventually lead to athletes endorsing everything from energy drinks to... well, more energy drinks.. Fact: Winning a track title is basically the ancient equivalent of getting a participation trophy, but with a medal that’s slightly shinier..
• Headline: Reported From the Fields of Research. Impact: The research on radioactive calcium led to a future filled with health fads, where people thought that glowing in the dark was an actual health benefit. Spoiler alert: it’s not.. Fact: Radioactive calcium sounds cool until you realize it’s not something you want in your smoothie..
• Headline: Building Has a Cat on Payroll. Impact: Having a cat on payroll in a building paved the way for the eventual rise of workplace pets, leading to more productivity—or at least more cat videos during office hours.. Fact: Cats have been known to boost morale, which is just a fancy way of saying they distract you from your crushing workload..
• Headline: CONCERTS THE MICROPHONE WILL PRESENT--; Noted Artists on 'Civic Concert' Broadcast; Music Booked for This Week. Impact: The Civic Concerts broadcast set the stage for the future of music accessibility, leading to a world where you can listen to symphonies while wearing pajamas. Thanks for nothing, pants!. Fact: Civic Concerts were the original Spotify, only with less data tracking and more actual civic responsibility..