FEBRUARY 5, 1947

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic Loss of Ecuadorian Army Fliers. Impact: The tragic loss of these fliers led to a secret government initiative to develop anti-volcano planes, which ultimately resulted in a bizarre competition between nations to create the world’s first flying volcano-proof vehicle. Spoiler alert: it never took off.. Fact: Volcanoes aren’t just for dramatic movie scenes; they can also ruin your day if you’re a pilot. Who knew?.
• Headline: China's Future Book Luncheon in NYC. Impact: The discussion on China at this luncheon sparked a global obsession with fortune cookies, leading to an international cookie crisis in the 80s. If only they had known!. Fact: Book luncheons: where literary discussions are served with a side of sandwiches and a sprinkle of pretentiousness..
• Headline: CIO's Push for Senate Closure Rules. Impact: This push for a filibuster closure led to a secret society of senators who vowed to filibuster every discussion about filibustering. It’s like inception but with more boredom.. Fact: Senate rules are so complicated that even the senators need a GPS to navigate them. Good luck finding the exit!.
• Headline: Permanent Agency Similar to USO To Give Camp Shows Advocated; Lastfogel in Report Asks Member Units to Help Create Entertainment at Veterans' Hospitals. Impact: The idea for a permanent entertainment agency began a long-standing tradition of putting on shows for veterans, which eventually escalated into the bizarre phenomenon of celebrity charity concerts. Thanks, Lastfogel!. Fact: Nothing says 'I care' like a star-studded concert while veterans wonder if they’ll ever get to hear real music again..
• Headline: TAX EVASION DRIVE NETS U.S. 2 BILLION; Snyder Reports on the Results of 18-Month Check-Up -- 150,000 Amend Returns. Impact: This tax evasion drive was the catalyst for the invention of complicated tax codes that still confuse accountants today. Thanks for the headaches, Snyder!. Fact: Tax evasion: the only crime where the punishment is a lot of paperwork and possibly a very boring documentary..
• Headline: Yale Gets Memorial Fund. Impact: This memorial fund for Yale sparked a trend of universities creating memorial funds for everything, including a memorial fund for the last surviving goldfish in the campus aquarium. Who knew education could be so… aquatic?. Fact: Nothing says 'I remember you' like a fund dedicated to a library that will probably never check out a book again..
• Headline: Book Bindings Exhibited. Impact: This book binding exhibit led to an unexpected surge in hipster bookbinding workshops, ultimately giving birth to a new generation of artisanal book restorers who charge $500 for a re-bound paperback.. Fact: Book bindings: because who doesn’t want to pay extra for something that should just keep pages together?.
• Headline: SLAYER SUSPECT INSANE; Court Alienists Urge That Purdy Be Sent to Matteawan. Impact: The court's decision to send this suspect to Matteawan led to a new trend in legal defenses where insanity pleas became the go-to for anyone caught in a crime. Thanks for normalizing insanity, court!. Fact: Insanity defense: the one time you can literally say, 'I wasn’t myself' and get away with it—legally, of course..