DECEMBER 1, 1942

Full News Archive

• Headline: 1942 OPA Fuel Credit Extension. Impact: In a twist of fate, the gasoline crisis led to the invention of the world's first 'gasless' car. Unfortunately, it ran on hope and dreams, which were in short supply.. Fact: Did you know that in the 1940s, people were so obsessed with gas coupons that they considered them as valuable as gold? Forget inflation, just wait till you see the black market for T Cards!.
• Headline: Fear of Tunis Collapse: December 1942. Impact: The Nazis' fear of losing Tunis triggered a series of overreactions that ultimately led to a global obsession with maps, prompting the first-ever 'where in the world is that?' trivia nights.. Fact: Did you know that at one point, the Nazis thought 'Tunis' was a magical land that would grant them unlimited power? Spoiler: It didn’t..
• Headline: Tragic Gas Incident Claims Family Lives. Impact: This tragic incident sparked a nationwide safety campaign, leading to the invention of the first smoke alarm. Too bad it took a family tragedy to realize that oxygen is kind of important.. Fact: Fun fact: In the 1940s, many people still thought that gas stoves were just fancy campfires. Safety regulations were clearly not a thing yet..
• Headline: Hatch Named OCD Aide. Impact: S Hatch's appointment as OCD aide somehow triggered a bizarre increase in people developing irrational fears of kitchen clutter. Still, his work was vital for the time.. Fact: Did you know that OCD back then stood for 'Organized Chaos Department'? Just kidding, but wouldn’t that have been more fun?.
• Headline: J.E. Hoover Gets Cuban Medal. Impact: J.E. Hoover receiving a Cuban medal led to the creation of an underground medal exchange network, where people traded medals like Pokémon cards. No kidding, it got out of hand.. Fact: Did you know that Hoover was once offered a medal for just showing up? Apparently, just being J.E. Hoover was considered a heroic act..
• Headline: REINSTATEMENT DENIED; Kadien Rejects Pleas of Four Ousted Plumbing Inspectors. Impact: The rejection of plumbing inspectors sparked a nationwide debate about ethics, leading to the introduction of 'Plumbing Inspector' as a career that required a soul. It’s still under review.. Fact: Did you know that plumbing inspectors have their own secret society? They meet monthly to discuss the most effective ways to flush out corruption..
• Headline: CENSORSHIP STUDY SET BY SENATORS; Judiciary Committee Votes to Call Byron Price Next Week in Searching Survey ALASKA ISSUE IS RAISED Gruening, in a Closed Session, Charges Unauthorized Opening of Territory's Mail. Impact: The censorship study led to a series of 'secret' government meetings that became the basis for all those conspiracy theories about aliens reading our mail. Thanks, Senators!. Fact: Did you know that Alaska was once thought to be a mythical land where only the bravest mailmen dared to tread? That’s one way to keep the post office interesting!.
• Headline: ICKES RELUCTANT TO TAKE NEW POST; But Probably Will Comply With President's Wish to Become Labor, Manpower Head SCOPE OF TASK STRESSED Secretary Sees Work as Two Full-Time Jobs -- Loath to Quit Conservation Duties. Impact: Ickes' reluctance to take the job resulted in a prolonged debate that sparked the first-ever 'Job Reluctance Day,' celebrated by workers everywhere who just didn't want to show up.. Fact: Did you know that 'reluctant leaders' are often just really good at avoiding responsibility? It's practically a skill set at this point!.