DECEMBER 17, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mysterious Disappearance of Dr. Fernholz. Impact: Dr. Fernholz's mysterious disappearance sparked a decade-long search that inadvertently led to the creation of a new genre of detective novels. The 'missing chemist' trope became a staple, inspiring countless wannabe sleuths and a popular reality show that had absolutely nothing to do with chemistry.. Fact: Did you know that many chemists have secretly wished to be as elusive as Dr. Fernholz? It’s a thing. Just ask the periodic table..
• Headline: Heroic Subway Rescue in New York City. Impact: P Singerman's subway heroism led to the invention of 'subway saviors', a new career path that has yet to be recognized by any government. Every time someone pulls someone off the tracks, they whisper, 'This one’s for you, P!'. Fact: Did you know that subway tracks can be incredibly dangerous? Just think of it as public transportation’s version of 'Survivor'..
• Headline: Fighting on Mt. Northeast of Pogradec. Impact: The conflicts on the mountain northeast of Pogradec unintentionally inspired a series of epic video games and a few poorly written screenplays. Who knew that a skirmish could lead to virtual battlefields?. Fact: Did you know that video game developers often look to real-world conflicts for inspiration? Just wait until they get to historical footnotes!.
• Headline: CHINESE PATRIOTS KILL FRENCH JUDGE; Official Who Handed Shanghai Court Over to Wang's Puppet Regime Is Assassinated SEVERAL SUSPECTS HELD Japanese Lieutenant Wounded in District That His Own Troops Patrol. Impact: The assassination of the French judge triggered a wave of 'judges with vendettas' movies, leading to a cultural obsession with courtroom dramas. The phrase 'You can't handle the truth!' became so overused that it had to be retired.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'justice is blind' is often misunderstood? Apparently, it doesn’t mean you can’t see the plot twists coming..
• Headline: Harvard 'Genius' Joins Marine Corps Aviation. Impact: The genius from Harvard joining the Marine Corps Aviation led to a surge in 'brainy' kids wanting to enlist, believing that being smart and flying planes would make them instant heroes—spoiler alert: it didn’t.. Fact: Did you know that many geniuses prefer to solve problems with equations rather than missiles? Just a thought..
• Headline: SAUSAGE 'TERRIBLE' ON NAZI SEA RAIDER; British Skipper Tells of 134 Days as a Captive After Attack in Atlantic GERMANS 'HUMAN ENOUGH' Except for That Food Item-- Rescue Is Accomplished by British Submarine. Impact: The 'terrible' sausage incident aboard the Nazi sea raider became a culinary cautionary tale, leading to a nationwide campaign against bland food. It sparked the infamous 'Sausage Wars' of the late '40s, fought primarily by angry grandmothers.. Fact: Did you know that sausages have been responsible for more culinary controversies than you’d think? Just ask any German at a BBQ..
• Headline: WAGE CHARGES DISMISSED; Fownes Brothers Makes Pay- ments to Employes. Impact: The dismissal of wage charges against Fownes Brothers turned into a corporate saga that inspired a future generation of labor activists. They said, 'If these guys can get away with it, so can we!'. Fact: Did you know that dismissing wage charges often leads to more stories than actual resolutions? It’s like the corporate version of a soap opera..
• Headline: Warns on Flag Displays. Impact: Mayor Barger’s warning about flag displays led to a bizarre trend of Americans trying to one-up each other with flag displays, resulting in a national competition to see who could fit the most flags on a lawn without it looking like a yard sale.. Fact: Did you know that the flag display debate has inspired more than a few neighborhood feuds? Just wait until someone decides to mix them with garden gnomes..
• Headline: SAYS U.S. EDUCATION AIDS LATIN-AMERICANS; Miss Duge Asserts They Hold Best Jobs and Also Help Us. Impact: Miss Duge’s assertion about U.S. education aiding Latin-Americans started a grassroots movement that led to the creation of educational exchange programs, because who wouldn’t want to travel and learn on someone else's dime?. Fact: Did you know that education is often considered the best form of diplomacy? Unless it's a history lesson—those get messy..