AUGUST 7, 1942

Full News Archive

• Headline: Hugh Rice's Leadership at Phelps Dodge. Impact: Hugh Rice's ascendance in the chemical department led to a series of innovations that eventually resulted in the creation of bubble wrap. Yes, the future of packaging was forever altered by a man who just wanted to make chemicals less boring.. Fact: Did you know that Phelps Dodge once tried to sell a 'chemical remedy' for boredom? Spoiler: it didn't work..
• Headline: Women Share Cars in WWII NYC. Impact: The shared car initiative sparked a movement that eventually led to the invention of Uber. Who would have thought that a simple idea of sharing could result in people getting into cars with strangers and questioning their life choices?. Fact: Did you know that sharing cars was once considered a radical idea? Now it’s just a Tuesday in NYC..
• Headline: Hurley Eases Car License Rules. Impact: By easing car license regulations, Hurley inadvertently set off a chain reaction of driving mishaps that created the need for more traffic safety films. Thanks, Hurley, for making the roads a real-life action movie!. Fact: Did you know that the first traffic safety film was actually a horror movie? It starred a car and a tree..
• Headline: MIS. WILLIAM A. UNDERWOOD [ }. Impact: Mrs. William A. Underwood’s presence in the headlines somehow led to the rise of the 'First Lady' phenomenon. Now every politician’s spouse is a celebrity, thanks to her compelling 'I exist' headline.. Fact: Did you know that Mrs. Underwood's main hobby was collecting stamps? Yeah, nothing says 'power couple' like a stamp collection..
• Headline: WILHELMINA TELLS CONGRESS THE WORD IS 'NO SURRENDER'; Queen Says Dutch, Although Mostly Under Axis Yoke, 'Are With You to the End' HER PEOPLE 'ONE IN SPIRIT' After Her Speech the Monarch Receives From President a Sub-Chaser to Aid Fight QUEEN WILHELMINA BEFORE CONGRESS. Impact: Queen Wilhelmina’s defiance inspired countless future leaders, who now think they can just stand up and say 'no' without a backup plan. Spoiler alert: it doesn't always end well.. Fact: Did you know that Queen Wilhelmina was known for her love of tea? Seems like a good cup can lead to a solid strategy against oppression..
• Headline: WPB ACTS TO ORDER 500 CARGO PLANES FROM H.J. KAISER; Board Approves Plan to Have Him Build 125 70-Ton Mars Flying Boats as Starter THEN 375 IF HE SUCCEEDS Shipbuilder Also Would Try a 200-Ton Freight Plane -- Project Now Up to Navy WPB ACTS TO ORDER 500 CARGO PLANES. Impact: The order for cargo planes marked the beginning of a new aviation era, where if you wanted to get something across the country, you just tossed it in the sky. Thanks to this order, we now have air freight and the occasional dropped package.. Fact: Did you know that cargo planes were originally designed to transport elephants? Just kidding, but wouldn't that have been a sight?.
• Headline: ENTERS CONGRESS RACE; R.E. Fatherley Seeks Candidacy That Mrs. Luce Avoids. Impact: Fatherley’s congressional aspirations ignited a political fire that resulted in a series of utterly forgettable speeches and a few questionable campaign ads. Thanks, R.E. Fatherley, for making politics even more entertaining.. Fact: Did you know that Fatherley once lost a debate to a cardboard cutout because it stood still longer?.
• Headline: HENRY DATTNER; Detroit Contractor Was Head of Compensation Board. Impact: Henry Dattner’s role in the compensation board led to the establishment of more structured employee rights. Sadly, it also led to the rise of workplace complaints that could fill a novel.. Fact: Did you know that Dattner's favorite pastime was organizing compensation claims? Sounds like a real page-turner!.
• Headline: SEEKS C.I.O. CONVENTION; Industrial Council Invites It to Meet in City This Fall. Impact: The C.I.O. convention invitation sparked a series of labor movements that eventually led to the modern-day workplace drama: 'Is it too late to call in sick?'. Fact: Did you know that the C.I.O. once tried to unionize cats? They were just too independent..
• Headline: ODT ACTS TO ALLOT NEW SCHOOL BUSES; Routes to Be Reorganized, Duplications and Unnecessary Trips Eliminated SET OF RULES IS ISSUED No Transportation for Children With Walks of Less Than 2 Miles -- Staggering Ordered. Impact: Reorganizing school bus routes led to a phenomenon known as 'the long walk home' which has since become a rite of passage for children everywhere. Thanks, ODT, for making kids tough!. Fact: Did you know that the shortest recorded school bus route was 0.2 miles? Even then, kids still complained about the walk..