JANUARY 9, 1949

Full News Archive

• Headline: Cloisters Study Wins Architectural Photography Prize. Impact: The award-winning picture of the Cloisters Study inspired a wave of architectural photography that ultimately led to the creation of Instagram. Yes, thank this moment for all those brunch photos you scroll past daily.. Fact: In the world of architectural photography, winning first prize is basically the equivalent of getting a golden ticket to the 'I’m a better photographer than you' club..
• Headline: George VI's Journey to Sandringham. Impact: George VI's limp was the perfect cover for a secret meeting of world leaders. Who knew that a mere limp could change the course of history, paving the way for the invention of the 'I'm fine' excuse.. Fact: The only thing more British than George VI's limp is the stiff upper lip he maintained while hobbling to Sandringham..
• Headline: Napoleon -- And Milieu; THE EMPIRE AND THE GLORY. Napoleon Bonaparte, 1800-1806. By Fletcher Pratt. Line drawings by Inga Pratt. 535 pp. New York: William Sloan Associates. $6.50.. Impact: Fletcher Pratt's book on Napoleon inadvertently inspired countless historical reenactments, leading to an explosion of poorly executed French accents at theme parties across the world.. Fact: Napoleon is often depicted as a short man, but in reality, he was only slightly shorter than the average Frenchman of his time. So, basically, he was the original 'short king'..
• Headline: NEWS OF THE WORLD OF STAMPS; New Issues Planned by U.S. Postoffice for the Early Part of This Year. Impact: The announcement of new stamp issues led to a surge in philately, which eventually evolved into a niche community where people get overly excited about tiny pieces of paper. Who knew collecting stamps would become a competitive sport?. Fact: Stamp collectors often joke that their hobby is the only one where you can be a millionaire without ever leaving your house. Just don’t tell your friends about it..
• Headline: WHAT RUSSIANS READ IN THEIR NEWSPAPERS; Soviet Dailies and Periodicals Report Progress in U.S.S.R., Attack West. Impact: The Soviet dailies' reports on progress led to a series of misunderstandings and a dramatic increase in 'Cold War memes' that would confuse historians for decades to come.. Fact: In the U.S.S.R., 'progress' often meant that someone managed to not trip while reading the newspaper. Quite the achievement, really..
• Headline: Bears' Luke Johnsos, Blair Cherry of Texas Top Candidates for Cardinal Coaching Post; JOHNSOS, CHERRY CARDS' PROSPECTS. Impact: The search for a new Cardinal coach led to endless debates over sports strategies that inadvertently inspired reality TV shows about coaching disasters. Thanks, Bears!. Fact: If coaching football doesn't work out, Luke Johnsos can always fall back on his career as a professional candidate for job openings..
• Headline: AUTOMOBILES: ECONOMY; Quicker and Less Costly Way to Build Cars Is Provided by Extrusion Process. Impact: The hot-extrusion process revolutionized car manufacturing, eventually leading to the modern car that makes you feel like a race car driver until you hit a speed bump. Then it’s a different story.. Fact: Extrusion in car manufacturing sounds fancy, but it really just means they figured out how to make metal shapes faster than you can say 'I just bought a lemon.'.