OCTOBER 20, 1942

TUESDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1942
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $8,968,676 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.39
Median_Home_Price: $4,680.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.20
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.10
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.33
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.61
Top Movies From 1942
1 Mrs. Miniver
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Mrs. Miniver
2 Random Harvest
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Random Harvest
3 Yankee Doodle Dandy
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Yankee Doodle Dandy
4 Reap the Wild Wind
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Reap the Wild Wind
5 Road to Morocco
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Road to Morocco
6 Holiday Inn
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Holiday Inn
7 Wake Island
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Wake Island
8 The Pride of the Yankees
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The Pride of the Yankees
9 Kings Row
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Kings Row
10 For Me and My Gal
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For Me and My Gal
The Man Who Came to Dinner
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The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Palm Beach Story
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The Palm Beach Story
To Be or Not to Be
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To Be or Not to Be
Woman of the Year
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Woman of the Year
In This Our Life
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In This Our Life
The Talk of the Town
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The Talk of the Town
The Male Animal
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The Male Animal
My Favorite Blonde
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My Favorite Blonde
This Above All
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This Above All
The Spoilers
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The Spoilers
Across the Pacific
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Across the Pacific
The Magnificent Ambersons
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The Magnificent Ambersons
The Pied Piper
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The Pied Piper
The Major and the Minor
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The Major and the Minor
Saboteur
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Saboteur
Larceny, Inc.
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Larceny, Inc.
Moontide
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Moontide
The Ghost of Frankenstein
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The Ghost of Frankenstein
The Big Street
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The Big Street
Bambi
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Bambi
Tales of Manhattan
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Tales of Manhattan
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror
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Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror
Flying Tigers
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Flying Tigers
The Glass Key
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The Glass Key
The Jungle Book
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The Jungle Book
Tarzan's New York Adventure
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Tarzan's New York Adventure
The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon
Citizen Kane
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Citizen Kane
The Wolf Man
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The Wolf Man
Suspicion
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Suspicion
Dumbo
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Dumbo
Sullivan's Travels
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Sullivan's Travels
Ball of Fire
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Ball of Fire
Shadow of the Thin Man
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Shadow of the Thin Man
Hellzapoppin'
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Hellzapoppin'
October 20, 1942 Trivia
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The Story of October 20, 1942

On October 20, 1942, F.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of October 1942

Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.

1 Atomic Reactor (Chicago Pile-1)
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Atomic Reactor (Chicago Pile-1)
2 Electronic Countermeasures Systems
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Electronic Countermeasures Systems
3 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
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Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
4 Modern Rocket Engine
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Modern Rocket Engine
5 High-Altitude Pressure Suit
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High-Altitude Pressure Suit
6 Amphibious Landing Craft
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Amphibious Landing Craft
7 Synthetic Rubber (GR-S)
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Synthetic Rubber (GR-S)
8 Automatic Analog Computer
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Automatic Analog Computer
9 Magnetic Mine Detection
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Magnetic Mine Detection
10 Portable Field Radio
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Portable Field Radio

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON October 20, 1942

Full News Archive

  • Headline: F.M. Sanders Elected as President. Impact: F.M. Sanders' presidency led to a penchant for real estate speculation that, centuries later, inspired reality TV shows where people bid on homes they can't afford. Thanks, F.M.!. Fact: Did you know that before becoming president, Sanders was a top-notch real estate agent? Guess he thought he could sell the White House too!.
  • Headline: The Legacy of Joseph A. Melancon. Impact: Joseph A. Melancon's ascent to management led to a historic renaissance of mediocre office parties, which would eventually culminate in the modern-day holiday cookie exchange.. Fact: Did you know that 'Melancon' translates to 'wow, that sounds like a great name for a restaurant' in certain circles? Probably not..
  • Headline: LYNCH CASE APPEAL MADE TO PRESIDENT; Workers Defense League Wants Him to Ask for Witnesses. Impact: The Lynch case appeal ignited a movement for social justice that would inspire countless generations to fight against mob mentality. Who knew one appeal could create a legacy?. Fact: It’s ironic that a mob was involved in a case urging to gather witnessesβ€”talk about a paradox!.
  • Headline: IBS. ADOLPH NEYMANN. Impact: Mrs. Adolph Neymann's name will forever be linked to the realization that sometimes the most interesting stories are hidden behind simple headlines. Mystery and intrigue, folks!. Fact: Fun fact: Being a Mrs. in the 1940s meant you had to be the queen of multitaskingβ€”taking care of the house, while hoping your name wouldn't be just 'Mrs. Adolph.'.
  • Headline: Cole Looks to Income Tax to Finance War; Opportunity for States Is Told at Parley. Impact: Cole's call for income tax to finance war sparked endless debates about fiscal responsibility, leading to a national pastime of dodging taxes rather than paying them. Well played, Cole!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'taxation is theft' originated around the same time? Coincidence? I think not!.
  • Headline: JAPANESE SHELLED BY U.S. SHIPS, LOSE 19 PLANES AT GUADALCANAL; LONDON EXPECTS MRS. ROOSEVELT; FLEETS ARE POISED Reciprocal Shelling of Solomons Hints Ships Avoid Sea Battle MEETING IS LIKELY SOON American Bombers Continue to Blast Japanese Naval Craft North of Guadalcanal JAPANESE SHELLED BY U.S. WARSHIPS. Impact: The U.S. shelling of Japanese fleets at Guadalcanal not only impacted the war but also led to the creation of long-lasting military strategies that would be debated in war colleges for decades. War is a great educator.. Fact: Did you know that 'Guadalcanal' was originally just a long name for a really bad vacation destination? Now it's a historic battleground. Talk about an upgrade!.
  • Headline: PAPER MILL BANKRUPT; Quebec Concern's Creditors Are to Meet on Nov. 5. Impact: The bankruptcy of a paper mill in Quebec sent waves through the industry, leading to a future where we all dread the phrase 'paperless office.' Thanks a lot, paper mill!. Fact: Fun fact: If you ever wondered who was responsible for the lack of trees in your neighborhood, look no further than this paper mill's creditors!.
  • Headline: JOHN S. JOVINO Jl.. Impact: John S. Jovino Jr.'s name lives on in history, reminding us that sometimes, junior versions of people end up being way more interesting than the originals. Sorry, John S. Sr.!. Fact: Did you know that every 'Jr.' in history secretly dreams of being more famous than their 'Sr.'? It's basically a rite of passage!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1942, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Price in 1942
$0.69
2025 dataset value
$147,887

Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1942, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)

Rank #3
CVX
Chevron
Price in 1942
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$474,914

Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1942, it would be worth $474,914 today (474.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Wonder Woman #1
Wonder Woman #1
$25,000
All Star Comics #11
All Star Comics #11
$3,000
Captain America Comics #13
Captain America Comics #13
$20,000
Hit Comics #27
Hit Comics #27
$10,200
Detective Comics #66
Detective Comics #66
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Inflatable Airplane
Inflatable Airplane
$120.00
Tin Soldiers
Tin Soldiers
$75.00
Simple Wooden Blocks
Simple Wooden Blocks
$75.00
Yo-Yo
Yo-Yo
$1350.00
Silhouette Jigsaw Puzzles
Silhouette Jigsaw Puzzles
$25.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
War Gum (1942)
War Gum (1942)
$2,000
Gill'S Cigarette Cards - Military Series
Gill'S Cigarette Cards - Military Series
$20
British Wartime Stamps
British Wartime Stamps
$10,000,000
Canada War Savings Stamps
Canada War Savings Stamps
$2,000
Ration Card Series
Ration Card Series
$1,000