Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 14, 1944
Full News Archive
- Headline: Food Shortages Persist Post-War Outlook. Impact: The overzealous food goals directly contributed to the rise of backyard gardening. This eventually led to the hipster trend of urban farming, proving that history really does repeat itself... and with kale.. Fact: Who knew that the need for more food would result in the birth of the term 'locavore'? Thanks, World War II!.
- Headline: FINANCIAL NOTES. Impact: The naming of a securities exchange agent led to an explosion of financial jargon that still confuses average people today, paving the way for endless debates about stocks over brunch.. Fact: Financial notes? More like financial thoughts and prayers..
- Headline: CHINESE STILL SEEK TRUCE; No Accord Yet Reached Between Chungking and Communists. Impact: The delay in reaching a truce would inadvertently spark a series of misunderstandings that fueled decades of political tension and inspired countless spy novels. Who doesn't love a good tale of espionage?. Fact: Truces are like attempts at a diet β everyone wants to reach them, but somehow, cake always gets in the way..
- Headline: ALLIES CRITICIZED IN CONGRESS TALKS; Gavin, in House, Says British Draft Is Too Easy on Colonies Urges That We Get 'Tough'. Impact: Gavin's comments triggered a chain reaction that led to stricter policies worldwide, resulting in countless meetings that could have been emails β a legacy that still haunts us today.. Fact: Getting 'tough' in Congress is like trying to make kale taste good β itβs a struggle that often leaves everyone unhappy..
- Headline: No Quorum at Rail Meeting. Impact: The absence of a quorum became a cautionary tale for future meetings, inspiring the creation of the phrase 'let's not waste time' that haunts conference rooms to this day.. Fact: A meeting without a quorum? Sounds like the perfect excuse to go back to bed!.
- Headline: SENATE TREATY RULE ATTACKED AS THREAT. Impact: The attack on the treaty rules resulted in endless revisions that made legislative processes even more convoluted, ultimately leading to the invention of the filibuster. Thanks, Senate!. Fact: Senate rules are like IKEA instructions β complicated, frustrating, and everyone ends up confused by the end..
- Headline: Appointed Sales Manager By Smith Carpet Company. Impact: W.C. Hammel's appointment sparked a corporate culture revolution that made office carpets the new status symbol, leading to an age where people actually cared about what was under their feet.. Fact: Being a sales manager at a carpet company: the only job where you can say you're 'laying down the law' while literally laying down carpets..
Wall Street Time Machine
CVX
Chevron
Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1944, it would be worth $474,914 today (474.9x return)
GE
General Electric
General Electric - If you invested $1,000 in 1944, it would be worth $487,500 today (487.5x return)
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1944, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)