Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 20, 1949
Full News Archive
- Headline: William Bateman: A Historical Figure. Impact: William Bateman's decision to attend that fateful meeting led to the invention of the Bateman Protocol, which is now the unofficial guide for all awkward social interactions. Thanks, Bateman!. Fact: Did you know that 'William' is just a fancy way of saying 'I might be a king someday'?.
- Headline: Duble's Guilty Plea in Lottery Scandal. Impact: Duble's guilty plea sent shockwaves through the underground lottery scene, creating a power vacuum that resulted in a wild goose chase for new lottery kingpins, who subsequently held their meetings in basements decorated with pizza boxes.. Fact: You know, they say 'you can't win if you don't play,' but apparently, you can certainly lose if you rig the game!.
- Headline: Continued Mediator Role for McNaughton. Impact: McNaughton's continued mediation might just have been the spark for an entire generation of diplomats to take up knitting as a stress-relief hobby, leading to an unexpected surge in cozy, peace-themed scarves.. Fact: In the world of diplomacy, knitting is often seen as more effective than direct negotiations. Just ask any diplomat who's ever had to untangle a yarn of lies!.
- Headline: MRS. ALEX. CAMPBELL. Impact: Mrs. Alex Campbell's daily tea party became the venue for countless gossip sessions that ultimately decided the fates of several fictional characters in novels yet to be written. Who knew tea could have such power?. Fact: Every Mrs. Alex Campbell has a secret stash of biscuits that could rule an empire, but they're mostly just for the cat..
- Headline: GEN. M'DERIvIOTT, 6, DRAFT CHIEF, DIE; Director of 280 City Boards Durir/g War Ran for State ' i Attorney General in 1938. Impact: General M'Deriviott's untimely death left a gaping hole in city leadership that led to a series of increasingly bizarre mayorships; one term was even marked by a cat as the acting mayor. Felines for the win!. Fact: Itβs said that every great leader is just one cat away from total chaos. M'Deriviott, unfortunately, was not one of them..
- Headline: ABRAM JEDVABNIK. Impact: Abram Jedvabnikβs legacy lives on as the inventor of the 'Jedvabnik Effect,' where every time someone mispronounces his name, a new conspiracy theory is born regarding time travel.. Fact: Fun fact: Abram's name is often confused with a popular sandwich, but only one of them is delicious..
- Headline: NEW COUP IN SYRIA OUSTS ARMY CHIEF; Hinnawi Arrested by Officers Opposing Union With Iraq Under Rule of King. Impact: The coup set off a chain reaction of military reorganizations that led to the rise of an entire generation of generals obsessed with collecting stamps instead of managing armies. Who knew philately could be so distracting?. Fact: Coup attempts have a strange way of shaping history, often leading to more stamps than stability..
- Headline: JOB TO TAKE YEAR; Supply for Emergencies to Be Pumped 15 Miles Below Poughkeepsie. Impact: This water supply project inadvertently led to the invention of the Poughkeepsie Water Sports Festival, where the town proudly displays their βpumpedβ pride in the most ridiculous ways possible.. Fact: They say water is life, but in Poughkeepsie, itβs also a full-time job with overtime!.
- Headline: REV. HENRY LIEBLANG. Impact: Reverend Liebangβs sermons inspired a generation of people to start their own religious podcasts, leading to a surge in unsolicited advice and amateur theologians everywhere. Who knew prayer could go viral?. Fact: Reverends have to have a sense of humor; otherwise, how would they deal with all those awkward confessions?.
- Headline: HENRY C. WIN'GATE. Impact: Henry C. Wingate's life choices created a ripple effect that resulted in an entire line of fashion dedicated to wing-themed apparel. Yes, feathers and all!. Fact: Rumor has it that Henry's first fashion show was held in a chicken coop. Talk about clucking good style!.
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1949, it would be worth $3,433,939 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1949, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1949, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)