MARCH 7, 1942

Full News Archive

• Headline: Dr. Almond J. Cutting's Legacy. Impact: Dr. Cutting's dental practice was so revered that it inspired a generation of dentists to adopt the motto 'Cavity Fighters Unite!' This led to an unprecedented rise in toothbrush sales in the 21st century, causing a boom in the mint-flavored toothpaste industry.. Fact: Dr. Cutting probably had more patients than some small countries have citizens..
• Headline: City College's Contribution to War Efforts. Impact: City College's war record became the benchmark for future institutions, prompting a national competition to see which school could feign patriotism the best, ultimately leading to 'University Olympics' where students compete in flag-waving and rallying.. Fact: Spoiler alert: City College didn’t win the gold in feigned patriotism, but they did get a participation trophy..
• Headline: Brooklyn's New City Patrol Corps Initiative. Impact: The formation of the City Patrol Corps inspired countless other cities to create their own patrols. This eventually led to the rise of 'Neighborhood Watch' parties, where people just watch each other watch their neighbors.. Fact: Because nothing says 'safety' like a group of people peering through curtains..
• Headline: Crisp New Currency to Be Scarce Because of the Demands of War; Federal Reserve Bank Here Warns That the Standard Will Be Lowered and Old Bills Will Have to Do Extra Duty. Impact: The scarcity of new currency during the war prompted a massive underground economy of 'creative currency' where people began trading everything from bottle caps to old concert tickets, forever changing the face of barter.. Fact: And yet, here we are, still struggling to find a use for those old concert tickets..
• Headline: New Food Tried on Army Horses. Impact: The new food tried on army horses became the prototype for gourmet pet food, leading to the rise of a multi-billion dollar industry catering to pampered pets—because why should only humans eat well?. Fact: Horse cuisine was deemed a success, while dog food still struggles with the existential question of 'Is this really meat?'.
• Headline: D,VIGHT B. LEE. Impact: Dwight B. Lee's legacy inevitably led to the creation of a line of motivational posters, featuring him facing the sunset with the caption 'Just keep pushing through, even if you don't know what you're doing.'. Fact: Dwight B. Lee: the man, the myth, the motivational poster..
• Headline: DEFENDERS RETIRE; Near Exhaustion as They Fall Back on Bandung to Withstand Siege FOE HAS 5-TO-1 ADVANTAGE Holds Batavia, Approaches the South Coast -- Surabaya, Cut Off, Destroys Installations JAVA'S DEFENDERS MAKING LAST STAND. Impact: The defenders' last stand became a historical reference point for all future military strategists, who studied it closely to understand how exhaustion can lead to poor decision-making—like running into a buffet before a marathon.. Fact: In the annals of history, 'last stand' has never sounded more like a bad sequel to a superhero movie..
• Headline: Lehman Signs Auto Law Change. Impact: Lehman’s auto law change inadvertently inspired a slew of amateur car mechanics to take on DIY repairs, leading to more broken cars and the rise of the tow truck industry, which is now a thriving business.. Fact: Who knew that one law could lead to an entire generation of people discovering their cars' engines were not made of Lego?.
• Headline: MRS. FRANK W. CALL; She Captained Full-Rigged Ship Around Cape of Good Hope. Impact: Mrs. Frank W. Call's journey around Cape of Good Hope sparked a wave of female adventurers, inspiring the phrase 'If she can do it, I can definitely post about it on social media.'. Fact: She probably had more nautical experience than most people have in navigating a GPS..