JULY 26, 1940

FRIDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1940
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $8,324,276 IN 2025
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 By July 26, 1940
1 Rebecca
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Rebecca
2 Pinocchio
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Pinocchio
3 My Favorite Wife
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My Favorite Wife
4 Our Town
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Our Town
5 Waterloo Bridge
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Waterloo Bridge
6 The Ghost Breakers
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The Ghost Breakers
7 Pride and Prejudice
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Pride and Prejudice
8 All This, and Heaven Too
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All This, and Heaven Too
9 They Drive by Night
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They Drive by Night
10 The Mortal Storm
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The Mortal Storm
The Grapes of Wrath
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The Grapes of Wrath
The Shop Around the Corner
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The Shop Around the Corner
His Girl Friday
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His Girl Friday
Northwest Passage
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Northwest Passage
Virginia City
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Virginia City
My Little Chickadee
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My Little Chickadee
Boys of the City
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Boys of the City
Dr. Cyclops
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Dr. Cyclops
The Thief of Bagdad
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The Thief of Bagdad
Too Many Husbands
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Too Many Husbands
The Blue Bird
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The Blue Bird
The Invisible Man Returns
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The Invisible Man Returns
Beyond Tomorrow
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Beyond Tomorrow
Road to Singapore
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Road to Singapore
Black Friday
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Black Friday
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
July 26, 1940 Trivia
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The Story of July 26, 1940

On July 26, 1940, the Cunard liner Lancastria was torpedoed by Nazi forces, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life with approximately 2,500 individuals perishing.

🧠 Inventions of 1940

Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.

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

HEADLINES ON July 26, 1940

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Raw Meat and Extra Teeth Theory. Impact: This revelation led to a bizarre trend where people started chewing on raw meat, thinking they’d sprout a second set of pearly whites. Unfortunately, this resulted in a spike in dental visits and a new line of 'raw' dental care products. Who knew that a love for steak could lead to a rise in orthodontics?. Fact: Did you know that chewing raw meat didn't actually come with a dental plan? Surprising, right?.
  • Headline: Harold Lloyd Seeks Home Tax Cut. Impact: Lloyd's request for a tax cut sparked a nationwide movement for tax reductions. In a twist of fate, this led to the invention of the first 'Tax Day' themed party, where people celebrate by lamenting over paperwork instead of enjoying life.. Fact: In the grand scheme of things, asking for a tax cut is like asking for a unicorn – both are magical and unlikely to happen!.
  • Headline: Tragic Sinking of SS Lancastria. Impact: The tragic loss of the Lancastria highlighted the dangers faced during wartime evacuations, leading to significant changes in naval protocols. This event also sparked a deeper conversation about the human cost of war, reminding future generations that lives lost are not just statistics.. Fact: The sinking of the Lancastria remains one of the largest maritime disasters in British history, overshadowed for far too long by other events of the time..
  • Headline: REPUBLICAN CHIEFS PLAN STATE PARLEY; Jaeckle Calls Meeting at Utica Aug. 9 to Fix Convention Date and Name Electors. Impact: This meeting was the starting point for a long tradition of politicians gathering to discuss topics and leave with nothing accomplished. The art of political meetings was perfected here, paving the way for future generations to nod politely while ignoring real issues.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Parley' is just a fancy way of saying, 'Let’s meet up and pretend we’re doing something important!'.
  • Headline: Garner, Home, Silent on Politics. Impact: Garner's silence sparked a trend of politicians going dark on issues, leading to a new era of political mystery where voters wondered if their representatives were actually living in a secret cave. Spoiler alert: they were just avoiding tough questions.. Fact: Silence in politics often speaks louder than words; perhaps he was just waiting for the right moment to drop the mic..
  • Headline: PARTY AT BOLTON LANDING; Health Center and Red Cross Gain by Bridge and Tea. Impact: This delightful tea party turned into a blueprint for future charity events, where people could sip tea and feel good about themselves while solving world issues one biscuit at a time. Who knew philanthropy could be so delicious?. Fact: Tea parties have a long history of being an excuse for people to gossip while pretending they're changing the world!.
  • Headline: Anti-War Groups Meet. Impact: The gathering of anti-war groups set off a chain of activism that would echo through the years, inspiring countless movements. Ironically, their peaceful protests often led to more media coverage than actual wars, proving that sometimes the pen really is mightier than the sword.. Fact: Spoiler alert: meeting to discuss anti-war sentiments doesn’t usually involve cookies. Just saying..
  • Headline: ARGENTINA BLOCKS TRUSTEESHIP PLAN; Reservations Deprive Project of Its Emergency Value-- 56 Proposals at Havana. Impact: Argentina's rejection of the trusteeship plan set a precedent for future countries to assert their sovereignty. This led to an international game of diplomatic chess where countries suddenly became experts at saying 'no' while still trying to look agreeable.. Fact: The art of saying 'no' in international relations is almost as complex as deciphering your partner's mixed signals..
  • Headline: AIR LINES SET RECORD; Revenue Passenger Miles Flown in June Rose 59% Over 1939. Impact: This surge in air travel led to the invention of the in-flight snack and, ironically, the fear of flying for many. It's funny how progress comes with an extra bag of peanuts and a side of turbulence.. Fact: Flying was once considered a luxury. Now, it’s just another excuse to charge you for a soft drink!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1940, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1940
$0.06
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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