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 9, 1946
Full News Archive
- Headline: Workers Return at Royal Typewriter. Impact: In a bizarre twist of fate, the return of workers led to an unforeseen increase in typewriter sales, sparking a renaissance in literary coffee shops where aspiring authors now type furiously on vintage machines, giving birth to an entire generation of pretentious baristas who only serve organic, fair-trade coffee.. Fact: Typewriters were so popular that they almost became sentient. Imagine a world where your typewriter could judge you for your terrible grammar!.
- Headline: Alabama Miners Return to Work via Radio. Impact: This event resulted in a chain reaction where radio technology advanced quicker than anticipated, leading to the creation of talk radioβwhere opinions are loud, facts are optional, and the concept of 'quiet time' is just a myth.. Fact: Before radios, miners communicated by smoke signals. Imagine the confusion when they tried to send a message about lunch breaks!.
- Headline: Young Sea Scouts Receive Unique Clubhouse. Impact: The introduction of a flying clubhouse inspired a series of extreme scouting adventures, which eventually led to the creation of the first 'Scouts in Space' programβbecause why explore the great outdoors when you can explore the great unknown?. Fact: The first Sea Scouts were so afraid of the water that they mistook rafts for luxury yachts. Talk about setting the bar high!.
- Headline: INDIAN ASSEMBLY WILL MEET TODAY; Congress Party Will Proceed in Spite of Moslem Boycott and British Warning Nehru Back in New Delhi Not Inclined to Change. Impact: This assembly meeting became a pivotal moment in Indian politics, igniting a debate that would ripple through generations, ultimately leading to the modern-day political landscape where every decision feels like a game of 'musical chairs'βwith no chairs.. Fact: Jawaharlal Nehru was such a fan of meetings that he once accidentally scheduled a meeting to discuss scheduling meetings. The irony was lost on no one..
- Headline: SHORTAGE IN FUELS WORRIES MARKETS; Government's Demand for Cut in Consumption Casts a Shadow Across City INDUSTRIAL PRICES HOLD Investors, Lacking Any Safer Quarter, Sit Tight, With Selling Pressure Absent. Impact: The fuel shortage led to the rise of eco-friendly alternatives, inadvertently causing a butterfly effect that would one day result in the invention of the solar-powered skateboardβbecause who needs gas when you can shred the streets sustainably?. Fact: In response to fuel shortages, some people actually attempted to invent a gasoline alternative made from leftover pizza. Spoiler: It didn't work..
- Headline: DEHUMIDIFYING UNITS CUT SHIP INSURANCE. Impact: This little-known innovation led to a maritime revolution where ships became more climate-controlled than high-end hotels, resulting in sailors demanding room service and becoming increasingly picky about their cabin temperatures.. Fact: Dehumidifiers: saving ships and ruining the romantic image of sailing since... well, whenever they were invented!.
- Headline: NAMED VICE PRESIDENTS BY TED BATES, INC.. Impact: The appointment of these vice presidents created a corporate hierarchy so convoluted that it inspired a reality TV show about office politics, where the most dramatic boardroom bickering won viewers' hearts and a shot at a promotion.. Fact: Being a VP at Ted Bates, Inc. was so prestigious that they once had to hold a lottery just to determine who got to use the fancy coffee machine..
- Headline: Salvation Army Gives Aid. Impact: The Salvation Army's actions set off a chain of charitable organizations that would eventually lead to the modern-day concept of 'influencer philanthropy', where every good deed must be documented and shared on social media for maximum clout.. Fact: The Salvation Army's original name was 'The Salvation Band', but they were told that 'band' just didn't sound serious enough for their mission..
- Headline: RATIONING GOES ON; Order Eases It Slightly but Keeps Preference for Vital Services HIGH COURT ACTION IS DUE Decision Is Possible Today on Whether to Take Direct Appeal in Coal Case High Court May Act Today Adequate Supplies" Awaited COAL RATIONING ORDERED TO GO ON Vinson Conference Cited. Impact: This rationing order inadvertently led to a black market for coal, where shady characters in trench coats traded in precious lumps of coal like it was the hottest new drug on the streets, sparking a whole new genre of crime fiction.. Fact: Coal was once so valuable that people would literally fight over it. Forget gold; if you had coal, you were basically royalty!.
- Headline: Philippine Court Upholds Deals in Invasion Money. Impact: This court ruling validated wartime transactions that would set a precedent for dubious financial dealings that would echo through the ages, eventually leading to the creation of 'creative accounting'βa practice that thrives in every corporate office today.. Fact: Invasion money was once considered a real currency. Talk about inflationβimagine trying to buy a loaf of bread with that stuff!.
Wall Street Time Machine
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)