MAY 24, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mutiny Charges Against American Seamen. Impact: The mutiny of these seamen inspired the creation of a popular reality TV show called 'Mutiny on the High Seas', which, despite its name, featured more drama than actual sailing.. Fact: Mutiny is just fancy talk for 'We're tired of your nonsense'..
• Headline: PLANS MASS OUTPUT OF PLANE ENGINES; Morgenthau Says the Types to Be Standardized Are Being Chosen for 'Farming Out' HIRES EXPERTS FOR JOB Dr. G.J. Mead Heads Staff-- Machine-Tool Industry Also Is Put Under Secretary. Impact: The mass output of plane engines inadvertently led to an obsession with model airplane competitions, which now dominate family reunions and lead to the rise of 'model airplane influencers'.. Fact: Standardizing plane engines means a whole lot of engines that all sound the same—like a symphony of mechanical monotony..
• Headline: Stark Confers With Roosevelt. Impact: Gov Stark's chat with Roosevelt gave birth to the phrase 'Stark Realities', which today describes both the political landscape and your average Monday morning.. Fact: Conversations between politicians often lead to great changes. Or at least great brunch debates. Same thing, right?.
• Headline: Glamour Note In Gowns and Furs Will Accentuate Slim Silhouette; Jay Thorpe, Udall and Ballou and Ciro Blend Talents--Fashion Group Finds Slender Lines Chic--Russeks Shows Furs. Impact: This fashion trend led to a worldwide shortage of fabric as everyone tried to replicate the 'slim silhouette,' but ironically it just resulted in an increase in stretchy pants sales.. Fact: Fashion trends are cyclical; what's in today is out tomorrow, and vice versa. So, basically, you can keep your old clothes forever..
• Headline: Plans Aircraft Destroyers As a New Naval Weapon. Impact: Adm Stark's plans for aircraft destroyers inspired a slew of terrible action movies featuring rogue admirals and their quest for naval supremacy—none of which ever made it past the first script draft.. Fact: The idea of aircraft destroyers was so radical that even the ships were confused about their purpose. Spoiler: they still are..
• Headline: MAYOR ACTS IN TAXI TIE-UP; Summons Both Sides in MonthOld Strike to Conference. Impact: LaGuardia’s attempt to resolve the taxi tie-up led to the creation of 'Taxi Union Bingo', where players could win prizes by marking off the most ridiculous excuses given by taxi drivers.. Fact: Taxi strikes often involve more drama than a soap opera, complete with cliffhangers about who will get to the airport on time..
• Headline: HATCH BILL SAVED FROM PIGEONHOLE; Committee Defeats Tabling Motion, but Fails to Report Measure to House. Impact: The Hatch Bill's near demise led to the founding of a secret society of lawmakers known as 'The Pigeonhole Protectors', dedicated to ensuring no bill ever gets lost again, even if it has to be shoved under the desk.. Fact: Bills getting pigeonholed is just a fancy way of saying they’re not getting any attention. Kind of like that one friend who always shows up late to dinner..
• Headline: Red Cross Gets Overtime Pay. Impact: The decision to give Red Cross employees overtime pay inspired countless other organizations to finally consider the concept of fair compensation, leading to a nationwide 'Let's Pay People' movement. Unfortunately, it was short-lived.. Fact: Overtime pay has a long history of being considered a 'nice idea' until budgets come into play. Then it’s back to the salt mines..