SEPTEMBER 1, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Denmark's Bread Rationing in WWII. Impact: The rationing of bread in Denmark sent shockwaves through the wheat market, leading to a global flour shortage. In a bizarre twist, this prompted the invention of gluten-free bread, which would later become a hipster staple, fueling the rise of artisanal bakeries everywhere. Thanks, Denmark!. Fact: Did you know that bread has been a staple for humans since ancient times? And yet, somehow, we still can't agree on whether to toast it or not..
• Headline: Bolivia's Rubber Experimentation Initiative. Impact: Bolivia's decision to subsidize rubber experts led to an unexpected boom in the rubber duck industry. By the 21st century, rubber ducks would become a symbol of bathroom decor and an essential part of every child's bathtub experience, because who doesn't want a floating yellow friend?. Fact: Rubber trees take about seven years to mature before they can be tapped for latex. So, if you’re looking for instant gratification, maybe stick to ice cream..
• Headline: Cramp Shipyards Reorganization Announcement. Impact: The reorganization of Cramp Shipyards created a ripple effect in the shipbuilding industry, leading to the creation of the world's first floating taco stand. Yes, that’s right—the sea taco revolution was born from the ashes of a corporate restructuring plan.. Fact: Shipyards have built everything from battleships to luxury yachts, but a floating taco stand? Now that’s innovation at its finest!.
• Headline: Reich Also Asserts That Nearly 5,000,000 Tons of Shipping Have Been Sunk; Plane Losses Set at 1,050. Impact: The sinking of nearly 5 million tons of shipping changed naval strategies worldwide, ultimately leading to the invention of the ‘unsinkable’ ship. Spoiler: it wasn’t the Titanic. Ironically, that ship still gets all the fame.. Fact: Did you know that the Titanic was touted as 'unsinkable' before it met its icy fate? Talk about a marketing fail!.
• Headline: PEACE DELEGATES FIGHT DRAFT BILL; Speakers in Chicago Open War on Conscription Plan in Mobilization Session. Impact: The opposition to the conscription plan led to an unexpected surge in protest music, giving rise to the anti-war anthems of the 1960s. So, thank you Chicago for birthing a generation of musicians who would rather sing than fight.. Fact: Protest music became so popular that it turned into a genre of its own. Who would’ve thought that civil disobedience could sound so good?.
• Headline: NATIONAL CHAMBER CONDEMNS TAX BILL; Not a True Excess-Profits Levy, It Says, and Effect Would Be 'Disastrous' A 'JEOPARDY TO DEFENSE' Alternate Measuring Bases and Separating of Amortization Feature Are Urged. Impact: The National Chamber's condemnation of the tax bill marked the beginning of endless debates on taxation, leading to the creation of the phrase 'it’s tax season'—a phrase that strikes fear into the hearts of millions every year.. Fact: The tax code is so complicated that many people hire accountants to navigate it. So, if you think taxes are fun, you might want to check your definition of 'fun.'.
• Headline: Day's War Communiques; British. Impact: British war communiques were a precursor to modern-day social media updates. The habit of sharing war news quickly morphed into sharing cat videos and brunch pictures, proving that humanity’s need to communicate has only gotten more trivial over time.. Fact: Imagine if Twitter existed during the war! #WarCommunique would have been trending, right next to #BrunchGoals..
• Headline: TEAM-WORK CALLED VITAL TO DEFENSE; Rabbi Glazer Urges Capital and Labor to Cooperate for Safety of Nation PLEA FOR UNITY IS MADE Rabbi Newman Finds Present Crisis Is Reforging a New Patriotism in America. Impact: Rabbi Glazer’s plea for unity in defense work inadvertently inspired several inspirational posters about teamwork. Fast forward to today, and those posters are still hanging in offices, reminding us that ‘teamwork makes the dream work’—whatever that means.. Fact: Rabbi Newman’s idea of a new patriotism was a hit; who knew 'patriotic spirit' would one day involve hot dogs and baseball?.