Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 1946
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Transistor
2 
Microwave Relay Communication
3 
Mobile Telephone System
4 
Electronic Numerical Integrator Upgrade
5 
Digital Storage Oscilloscope Concept
6 
Helicopter Rescue Winch
7 
Infrared Heat Lamps
8 
Automatic Dishwashing Machine
9 
Atomic Clock Concept
10 
Weather Radar
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 17, 1946
Full News Archive
- Headline: Albania's Response to Mine Laying Protests. Impact: This diplomatic back-and-forth sparked a chain reaction that led to an annual 'Mine Laying Awareness Day', where people now celebrate by making decorative mine-themed cakes. Who knew diplomacy could be so delicious?. Fact: Did you know the last time someone laid a mine, they were probably just trying to get a good spot for their beach towel?.
- Headline: Home Secretary Ede Injured in Fall. Impact: Ede's unfortunate tumble led to a surge in hospital safety regulations, eventually inspiring the 'Cautious Politician' trend where ministers now wear helmets in public. Safety first!. Fact: Did you know that falling is the second most common cause of injury among politicians? The first? Public speaking..
- Headline: Anti-Stalin Paper Is Punished. Impact: The suspension of the anti-Stalin paper led to an underground renaissance of political satire, ultimately inspiring a new generation of cartoonists who believed they could take on tyranny with a sharp pencil and an even sharper wit.. Fact: Did you know that political cartoons have been around since the 18th century? And yet, politicians still haven't learned how to draw the line..
- Headline: Three Killed in Java Fighting. Impact: This tragic event underscored the complex socio-political landscape of the region, influencing international policies and peacekeeping missions for decades to come. The echoes of such violence highlight the ongoing struggle for stability.. Fact: Did you know that conflict resolution often requires more than just a conversation? Sometimes it takes decades of diplomacy and a lot of patience..
- Headline: Picture Captions in Error. Impact: The correction of picture captions led to the rise of the 'Caption Correctionist' profession, which has since been overshadowed by meme culture. Now, everyone thinks they can be a caption expert, and the internet is the worse for it.. Fact: Did you know that a picture is worth a thousand words? But a poorly captioned picture? Probably worth less than a bad pun..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1946, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
PFE
Pfizer
Price in 1946
$0.15
2025 dataset value
$168,691
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
Rank #2
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1946
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,942
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)
Rank #3
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1946
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,656
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
All-Star Comics #27
$5,000
World's Finest Comics #25
$1,500
Four Color Comics #92
$150
Detective Comics #114
$10,200
Marvel Mystery Comics #78
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Silly Putty
$20.00
Slinky
$20.00
Lionel Train Set
$1,500.00
Magic 7 Ring Puzzle
$85.00
Tinkertoy
$50.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1946 Propaganda-Sammlung Walter Trier – Berlin Post-War Collection
$10,000
1946 International Stamps - Allied Military Government in Germany
$3,000
1946 UK Brooke Bond Tea Cards
$1,500
1946 Autograph Collecting Cards
$30,000
1946 Silks and Cigarette Silks
$11.00