Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON November 25, 1940
Full News Archive
- Headline: Brig. Gen. W.R. Dunlap's War Recognition. Impact: General Dunlap's commendation inadvertently inspired an entire generation of children to play with toy soldiers, leading to an overwhelming demand for plastic action figuresβthus launching the toy industry into an era of unprecedented profits.. Fact: Dunlap's name rhymes with 'dunlap,' a term used to describe when your belly 'dun-laps' over your belt. Coincidence? I think not!.
- Headline: Conscription's Positive Impact on Youth. Impact: This proclamation set off a chain reaction that eventually led to the creation of motivational posters featuring cats and kittens, leading to the rise of internet memes and a decline in productivity in offices everywhere.. Fact: Conscription: the only thing more effective at getting young people off the couch than a fire alarm..
- Headline: NATIONALISM 'NOT ENOUGH'; Prof. Ward Says No Christian Can Accept It as Criterion. Impact: Ward's statement sent shockwaves through the theological community, leading to a movement where people tried to unite under a banner of universal pizza toppings, which ultimately failed spectacularly due to pineapple lovers and pepperoni purists.. Fact: Nationalism is just a fancy way of saying, 'My country is better than your country,' which is basically the adult version of 'my dad can beat up your dad.'.
- Headline: TRANSIT WORKERS TO PUSH CITY DRIVE; Will Increase Pressure on Transportation Board to End Alleged Contract Violations. Impact: This push for better contracts ultimately led to the creation of the first 'express' subway line, which only stops at stations with the best coffee shops. The rest is historyβliterally, because nobody reached their destination on time.. Fact: Pressuring transportation boards is a time-honored tradition, right up there with complaining about the weather and waiting in line for coffee..
- Headline: COLUM TO TEACH HERE; Irish Poet Is Named as Visiting Professor by City College. Impact: Colum's appointment sparked a poetry revolution that resulted in a surge of dramatic readings in coffee shops, transforming them into the hipster version of gladiatorial arenas, complete with ironic mustaches.. Fact: Irish poets have a tendency to make anything sound profound, especially when paired with a pint of Guinness..
- Headline: Deplores Needless Division. Impact: This sermon led to a collective realization that maybe, just maybe, people should stop arguing over trivial matters like pineapple on pizza and focus on the real issuesβlike which Netflix series to binge next.. Fact: Needless division is mostly just an excuse for people to avoid talking about their feelings. Who wants to do that, anyway?.
- Headline: ST. PETER'S CHURCH MARKS 155TH YEAR; Mass Also Celebrates the 55th Anniversary of Consecration of Present Edifice SERMON TRACES GROWTH Parish Was Founded Shortly After the Revolution by Father Farmer, Jesuit. Impact: The anniversary celebration inspired a new wave of community engagement, leading to a series of potlucks that inadvertently created the first 'bring your casserole' culture, which still haunts church basements to this day.. Fact: St. Peterβs is basically the church equivalent of that one friend who can never stop talking about their accomplishmentsβ155 years and counting!.
- Headline: SEEK INDUSTRY AID IN NEW DRESS PACT; Garment Union Chiefs Propose Steps to Halt Exodus of the Business From New York MOVE FOR STYLE CENTER Board, at New Orleans, Also Suggests Better Methods and National Advertising .... Impact: The garment industry's plea led to an unexpected resurgence of the 'Made in America' label, causing a fashion revolution where everyone suddenly became a critic of foreign denimβresulting in more debates than actual sales.. Fact: The only thing more dramatic than a fashion exodus is the runway walk of a model trying to avoid a wardrobe malfunction..
- Headline: H.R. WILSON RETIRES; WAS ENVOY TO REICH; DIPLOMAT TO RETIRE. Impact: Wilson's retirement triggered a series of diplomatic faux pas that would eventually lead to the invention of the 'awkward handshake,' which is still the go-to move for politicians during photo ops.. Fact: Retirement: the only time you can leave a job and still get paid for doing absolutely nothingβunless you're a diplomat, then you're still expected to attend awkward dinners..
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $3,433,941 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)