MARCH 17, 1945

Full News Archive

• Headline: Corn Insurance Trial Begins in 1945. Impact: The introduction of insured crops led to farmers taking up extreme crop insurance strategies, like covering their corn with bubble wrap. This ultimately resulted in a national bubble wrap shortage in the 1970s.. Fact: Corn insurance: because farmers need a backup plan for when their crops become famous for a bad corn maze..
• Headline: David Friday's Legacy in Economics. Impact: David Friday's economic theories went on to inspire a generation of economists who believed in the power of spreadsheets. Some say he also invented the concept of 'butter' as a metaphor for economic spread!. Fact: David Friday was so influential that his spreadsheets were rumored to be the secret ingredient in the world’s best economic policy..
• Headline: H.C. MACDOUGALL, MUSIC PROFESSOR; Member of Wellesley Faculty for 27 Years Dies--Founded Concert Series at College. Impact: Hamilton C. MacDougall's passing led to a surge in demand for classical music classes across the globe, spawning an entire generation of people who thought they could conduct an orchestra after one semester.. Fact: MacDougall founded a concert series at Wellesley College, proving that even institutions can have a dramatic flair!.
• Headline: COLBY ALUMNI HERE DINE; Dr. Bixler Stresses Plans on Small Colleges for Veterans. Impact: The push for small colleges to accommodate veterans sparked a nationwide trend of campuses starting 'veteran appreciation days,' which eventually led to the creation of the 'Veterans Day BBQ' tradition.. Fact: Colby alumni dinners are where old friends meet to discuss their glory days and lament how the food at college was never this good!.
• Headline: O'DWYER IS CHOICE OF PARTY LEADERS TO RUN FOR MAYOR; Unofficial Parleys Name Him as Having Best Chance to Defeat La Guardia RECORD PUTS HIM FIRST Breaking Up of the Brooklyn Murder Ring and Service in Army Are Cited Choice Based on Record Fusion Held Unlikely O'DWYER IS CHOICE TO RUN FOR MAYOR. Impact: O'Dwyer's rise to mayoral candidacy led to a series of increasingly bizarre campaign slogans, culminating in 'Vote O'Dwyer: Because La Guardia has too many vowels!'. Fact: In the world of politics, being the 'best chance' is like being the tallest person in a room full of toddlers..
• Headline: BRITISH LOOK TO MEXICO; Embassy Aide Tells of Aim to Increase Post-War Trade. Impact: The British looking to Mexico for post-war trade turned into a decades-long love affair between British tea and Mexican tacos, leading to strange culinary experiments like 'Taco Tea Time.'. Fact: Apparently, the British think they can trade anything, even their tea for tacos. Next up: a taco-flavored tea blend!.