AUGUST 25, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Rising Interest in Home Ownership in 1940. Impact: The rush to home ownership fueled by a bank official's enthusiasm led to a real estate boom that eventually turned into a bubble. Thanks, Mr. Bank Official! You might as well have been handing out lottery tickets.. Fact: Did you know that owning a home was once considered a hallmark of the American Dream? Now it’s just an expensive way to keep your money tied up in a giant box..
• Headline: Bronx Realty Prices at Record Highs. Impact: As Bronx realty prices soared, landlords everywhere learned that if you just keep raising rents, people will keep paying them. A classic win-win, if you ignore the evicted families and rising homelessness!. Fact: Did you know that Bronx real estate agents are basically like fortune tellers? They just wave their hands and predict the future value of your tiny apartment..
• Headline: ART COLONIES; Kent, Conn.. Impact: Art colonies like Kent, Conn., became the breeding grounds for hipsters and influencers, leading to a world where avocado toast and artisanal lattes are considered meals. Thanks for that, Kent!. Fact: Did you know that art colonies were once places of intellectual thought? Now they’re just places where people pretend to understand modern art while sipping overpriced coffee..
• Headline: Brief Reviews; The Man De Quincey. Impact: The reviews of 'The Man De Quincey' likely sparked countless debates about literature, leading to social gatherings where people pretended to understand the book but mainly just wanted to look smart.. Fact: Did you know that Thomas De Quincey was famous for his opium addiction? So, if you ever need inspiration, maybe try some 19th-century literary drugs instead!.
• Headline: 6,000 TORONTO HOMES HAVE BEEN RENOVATED; Canadian City Requires Owners to Improve Properties. Impact: The renovation of 6,000 homes in Toronto is what led to the rise of DIY culture and the countless Pinterest fails we see today. Thanks, Canada, for making us all think we could be handy!. Fact: Did you know that the best renovation advice is often given by someone who has never actually renovated anything? Welcome to Home Improvement 101!.
• Headline: LONDON'S SECOND WIND; Theatre Business Is Booming and Film Production Is Carrying Boldly On. Impact: London's thriving theatre scene and bold film production set the stage for a cultural renaissance, eventually leading to the existential crises of modern playwrights who realize no one actually gets their references.. Fact: Did you know that in London, a ticket to a theater can cost as much as a meal? So, you can either feast on creativity or just… eat..
• Headline: TAX LIEN 'SALES' COSTLY; Realty Man Protests Against Expense of City Auctions. Impact: The protest against costly tax lien sales made realty men everywhere realize that complaining is a great way to bond – one of the earliest examples of the ‘let’s grumble together’ club.. Fact: Did you know that in the world of real estate, whining is often considered a professional sport? Grab your popcorn!.
• Headline: NAZIS HIT NAVICERTS; Call Their Use Unneutral, but France Had Agreed to Them. Impact: The Nazis’ disdain for navicerts led to a tangled web of international relations, proving that sometimes, refusing to play by the rules can lead to a global game of chess nobody asked for.. Fact: Did you know that navicerts were basically the 1940s version of a VIP pass? Too bad the Nazis missed the memo on how to play nice..
• Headline: Stop Cold-Water Pipe Dripping. Impact: Stopping that cold-water pipe from dripping led to an unexpected increase in home comfort, which ultimately made it much harder for future generations to leave their homes for more than a few hours.. Fact: Did you know that the average person spends more time debating whether to fix a dripping pipe than actually fixing it? Welcome to homeownership!.