DECEMBER 30, 1948

Full News Archive

• Headline: Exploring the 1948 Great Conversation Book. Impact: This book sparked a massive interest in conversation, leading to the invention of the awkward small talk and the eventual rise of social media arguments. Thanks a lot, Biancolli.. Fact: Did you know that before this book, people communicated mainly through interpretive dance? Just kidding, but wouldn't that have been a sight to see?.
• Headline: Growth in Savings-Loan Deposits Reported. Impact: This sudden influx of deposits led to an unprecedented rise in coffee consumption among bankers, which ultimately fueled the caffeine-fueled tech boom of the 90s. Thanks, savings and loan!. Fact: If you stacked $8 million in $1 bills, you'd have a very tall stack of regret by the time you could get your savings back..
• Headline: Police Prepare for Times Square New Year. Impact: Little did they know that assigning police to Times Square would lead to the invention of overzealous security measures that would eventually ruin everyone's fun at concerts.. Fact: Did you know that the first Times Square celebration was actually just a bunch of people standing around waiting for a pizza delivery?.
• Headline: Armed Services Study 'Satellite Vehicle' Idea. Impact: This study on satellite vehicles paved the way for future generations to believe that they could send memes into space, changing the trajectory of human communication forever.. Fact: Fun fact: the first satellite vehicle was actually a really fancy paper airplane that got lost in a tree..
• Headline: -PAUL- WERTHEIMER. Impact: The mere existence of Paul Wertheimer led to the eventual creation of a whole line of self-help books on how to deal with people named Paul. You're welcome, world!. Fact: You know, Paul is actually derived from the Latin word for 'small.' So yes, Paul, you’re just small in every way..
• Headline: HARRY A. BULLIS WEDS A REFUGEE COUNTESS. Impact: This marriage created a ripple effect of royal union dramas, ultimately inspiring countless reality TV shows that we now binge-watch instead of reading books.. Fact: Did you know that marrying a countess is basically like marrying a really fancy title? Next up: Countess of Netflix!.
• Headline: FREDERIC W, JAMES. Impact: Frederic W. James's passing triggered a rediscovery of his works, resulting in a brief spike in awkward middle school book reports and a lot of eye-rolling from teachers.. Fact: Frederic W. James once tried to start a book club, but no one showed up. Let that be a lesson to all aspiring authors..
• Headline: Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.; LOVETT DEPLORES CARDINAL'S ARREST. Impact: Lovett's vocal disapproval of the cardinal's arrest somehow led to an underground movement of people who thought they could become the next vigilante clergy. Spoiler alert: it didn't end well.. Fact: Did you know that many officials have a 'disapproval' face that looks suspiciously like they just bit into a lemon? Lovett was the original lemon face..