FEBRUARY 20, 1949

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mealey's Thrilling 1,000m Victory. Impact: Mealey's triumph over Hansenne not only shifted the balance of track and field but inspired a generations-long rivalry that led to the creation of competitive eating as a sport. Who knew carbs could fuel such drama?. Fact: Track and field events have more drama than a soap opera—especially when someone trips over their own shoelaces..
• Headline: New Jersey's Feldspar Discovery in 1949. Impact: The discovery of feldspar deposits in New Jersey led to a spike in pottery production, which ultimately resulted in a nationwide obsession with artisanal coffee mugs. Thanks, geology!. Fact: Feldspar is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. So, it's basically the rock star of rocks!.
• Headline: the World Of Nothingness'; An aircraft designer talks about the bizarre concepts we must accept for tomorrow's flying. Into the World of 'Nothingness'. Impact: The concept of 'nothingness' in aircraft design paved the way for the modern era of flying cars—just kidding, we still can't even parallel park.. Fact: Nothingness in design is just like my dieting plan: promising but ultimately empty..
• Headline: PHILADELPHIA PACT REACHED IN STRIKE; Accord for 8-Cent Rise Meets Storm in Union Session and Ratification Is in Doubt PHILADELPHIA PACT IS MADE IN STRIKE. Impact: The Philadelphia Pact in the strike not only raised wages but also sparked a series of labor negotiations that eventually led to workers demanding coffee breaks—because who can work without caffeine?. Fact: Labor strikes are just like bad sitcoms; they often drag on longer than anyone anticipated..
• Headline: Age Groups in Population. Impact: C. Herrick's reply about aging populations led to the invention of anti-aging creams made from unicorn tears—if only that were true.. Fact: The aging population is like a fine wine; it gets better with age, but sometimes it just turns to vinegar..
• Headline: Debevoise Heads Sage Fund. Impact: Debevoise's leadership of the Sage Fund is what ultimately led to the rise of hedge fund managers as the new rock stars of Wall Street—minus the actual talent.. Fact: Being a hedge fund manager is the only profession where you can lose money and still look like a genius in a tailored suit..
• Headline: FROM STAGE TO TV; Dennis King Finds That Video Presents New Challenge to the Performer. Impact: Dennis King's transition from stage to TV inspired a generation of actors to abandon the theater for reality shows—because who doesn't want to argue over who forgot the milk on camera?. Fact: Performing on video is like acting in front of a mirror; you can practice all you want, but it still won't prepare you for the awkward silence..
• Headline: LABOR SCARCITY IS EASED; Adequate Supply Is Reported by Youngstown Steel Mills. Impact: The easing of labor scarcity in Youngstown Steel Mills marked the beginning of the end for the era of 'McJobs'—because who needs a steady paycheck when you can work in a factory?. Fact: Labor shortages are like bad relationships; they can drag on and often leave you feeling unfulfilled..
• Headline: Review 1 -- No Title; THE KILLER MINE. By Hammond Innes. 246 pp. New York: Harper & Bros. $2.50.. Impact: The Killer Mine novel led to an uptick in mining-themed mystery novels, which somehow convinced people that being a miner was more thrilling than it actually is—spoiler alert: it’s just dirt.. Fact: Mining novels are the literary equivalent of a roller coaster: lots of ups and downs, but mostly just a lot of digging..