MAY 2, 1949

MONDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1949
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $3,767,246 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.71
Median_Home_Price: $7,060.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.26
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.14
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.44
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.80
Top Movies From 1949
1 Samson and Delilah
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Samson and Delilah
2 Battleground
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Battleground
3 Jolson Sings Again
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Jolson Sings Again
4 Sands of Iwo Jima
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Sands of Iwo Jima
5 I Was a Male War Bride
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I Was a Male War Bride
6 Pinky
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Pinky
7 Mr. Belvedere Goes to College
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Mr. Belvedere Goes to College
8 Neptune's Daughter
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Neptune's Daughter
9 Little Women
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Little Women
10 Sorrowful Jones
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Sorrowful Jones
The Accused
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The Accused
Act of Violence
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Act of Violence
Caught
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Caught
Down to the Sea in Ships
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Down to the Sea in Ships
Flamingo Road
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Flamingo Road
The Bribe
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The Bribe
A Letter to Three Wives
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A Letter to Three Wives
The Set-Up
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The Set-Up
Champion
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Champion
Knock on Any Door
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Knock on Any Door
The Red Pony
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The Red Pony
Gun Crazy
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Gun Crazy
Criss Cross
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Criss Cross
Impact
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Impact
The Paleface
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The Paleface
The Snake Pit
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The Snake Pit
Rope
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Rope
He Walked by Night
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He Walked by Night
Macbeth
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Macbeth
Portrait of Jennie
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Portrait of Jennie
Joan of Arc
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Joan of Arc
May 2, 1949 Trivia
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The Story of May 2, 1949

On May 2, 1949, a significant strike commenced at the Singer Manufacturing Company in Elizabeth, New Jersey, marking the first walkout in the company's history, involving around 7,000 workers.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1949

Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.

1 Commercial Transistor Production
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Commercial Transistor Production
2 Jet Commercial Airliner
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Jet Commercial Airliner
3 Hydrogen Bomb Design
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Hydrogen Bomb Design
4 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Theory
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Theory
5 Modern Credit Card Concept
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Modern Credit Card Concept
6 Anti-Lock Braking System Prototype
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Anti-Lock Braking System Prototype
7 Artificial Intelligence Theory
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Artificial Intelligence Theory
8 Polyester Fabric
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Polyester Fabric
9 Portable Television
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Portable Television
10 High-Speed Photocopier
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High-Speed Photocopier

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON May 2, 1949

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Historic Strike at Singer Factory. Impact: The strike at the Singer Factory sparked a nationwide trend of labor rights movements. If the workers hadn't walked out, we might still be sewing our clothes by hand and wearing nothing but burlap sacks.. Fact: Did you know that the sewing machine was once considered the most dangerous invention of its time? Who knew a tool designed to make life easier could also inspire the world's largest game of musical chairs?.
  • Headline: Farrell's Maritime Triumph in 1949. Impact: Farrell’s re-election marked the beginning of a long-standing tradition of people getting re-elected simply because they know where all the bodies are buried. This paved the way for future politicians to master the art of not really doing anything.. Fact: Fun fact: Maritime associations are the only organizations where the term 'shipshape' is taken literally while the rest of us just wish our lives were that organized..
  • Headline: Suspicious Fires Strike Hudson Community. Impact: The suspicious fires led to a wave of fire safety regulations. Who knew that a little pyromania could spark an entire industry dedicated to fire alarms and safety drills? Talk about a hot topic.. Fact: Did you know? The only thing more flammable than the Hudson fires was the gossip that followed! Firefighters were basically the original reality TV stars..
  • Headline: SUBSIDY SEEN NEAR FOR BERNSTEIN LINE; Will Allow Company to Convert Transports for Service to the Netherlands. Impact: This subsidy led to an increase in international shipping routes, ultimately resulting in the modern global supply chain. If only they knew that shipping bananas would lead to a fruit revolution!. Fact: Did you know that the shipping industry is responsible for 90% of global trade? So next time you complain about slow delivery, remember: a ship is still faster than your neighbor’s dog..
  • Headline: Swifter Jets Are a Highlight Of Soviet May Day Air Show; Moscow Radio Describes New Model as 'Fastest Plane in the World' SWIFT JETS MARK RUSSIAN MAY DAY. Impact: The introduction of swifter jets led to an arms race in aviation technology. If the Soviets hadn't boasted, we might still be using propeller planes and wondering what 'air superiority' really meant.. Fact: Fun fact: The 'fastest plane' title is a bit like your uncle boasting about his fishing skills – it changes every year and is often exaggerated..
  • Headline: SOCIALISM NO THREAT TO NATION, TOBIN SAYS. Impact: Tobin's statement led to decades of political debates that would shape American policy. Little did he know, it would also create a thriving industry of political memes and hashtags.. Fact: Did you know? The phrase 'socialism is no threat' has been reused so many times, it should probably have its own fan club by now..
  • Headline: Anti-Zionism in Soviet Union Turning Into Anti-Semitism; Developing Tendency Is Held to Be a Phase of New Campaign Against 'Cosmopolitanism'. Impact: This alarming shift influenced global discussions on human rights and led to significant movements advocating for tolerance and understanding. Sadly, the lesson still seems lost on some.. Fact: Did you know that 'cosmopolitanism' was once a trendy term? It’s now mostly used by people who can't decide if they want sushi or a burger..
  • Headline: TORNADO TOLL AT 9 IN WESTERN SWEEP; Injured Put at 97 in 4 States -- Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Louisiana Are Hit TORNADO TOLL AT 9 IN WESTERN SWEEP. Impact: The devastating tornadoes led to improved building codes and emergency response protocols. Sometimes nature’s fury can lead to positive change, albeit with a tragic cost.. Fact: Did you know? Tornadoes can reach speeds of up to 300 mph? That’s faster than most cars on the highway, and definitely the best excuse for skipping work!.
  • Headline: LEADERS OF STATES URGED TO AID U. N.; Carnegie Endowment Calls for Periodic Meetings to Raise Prestige of World Body. Impact: This push for U.N. aid ultimately led to countless diplomatic summits, proving that sometimes, talking about talking is the best way to avoid actually doing anything.. Fact: Did you know? The U.N. has held so many meetings that if they had a frequent flyer program, it would be the most overbooked airline in history..
  • Headline: New Labor Post Created in Peru. Impact: The establishment of this labor post sparked reforms that would influence labor rights in South America. Who knew that one position could lead to a whole movement? Talk about job security!. Fact: Did you know? In Peru, they say that a new labor post comes with a side of potatoes. Because why not mix work with the world's favorite carb?.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1949, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1949
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,939

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1949, it would be worth $3,433,939 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1949
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,657

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1949, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Price in 1949
$0.69
2025 dataset value
$147,887

Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1949, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Vault of Horror #12
Vault of Horror #12
$1,500
All-Negro Comics #1
All-Negro Comics #1
$85
Adventure Comics #252
Adventure Comics #252
$1,500
Captain America Comics #71
Captain America Comics #71
$1,200
Joe Palooka Comics #55
Joe Palooka Comics #55
$150
🧸 Top 5 Toys
LEGO Bricks
LEGO Bricks
$300.00
Silly Putty
Silly Putty
$75.00
The Buzzy Bee
The Buzzy Bee
$150.00
Candy Land
Candy Land
$50.00
Clip-Clop the Harness Horse
Clip-Clop the Harness Horse
$150.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson
$250,000
1949 Leaf Satchel Paige
1949 Leaf Satchel Paige
$228,000
1949 Bowman Stan Musial
1949 Bowman Stan Musial
$30,000
1949 Bowman Duke Snider
1949 Bowman Duke Snider
$30,000
1949 Leaf Babe Ruth
1949 Leaf Babe Ruth
$89,175