DECEMBER 23, 1949

Full News Archive

• Headline: New Engines Revolutionize Class I Railroads. Impact: The installation of new engines was so efficient that it inadvertently inspired a generation of engineers to start a bizarre competition to see who could make the loudest train whistle, leading to the Great Train Whistle Contest of 1953.. Fact: Did you know that train whistles have been known to scare off more than just unsuspecting pedestrians? They also scare away any semblance of peace and quiet within a 10-mile radius..
• Headline: PEMBERTON READY FOR SECOND SHOW; Signs Lee Tracy as Star, Vicki Cummings in Featured Role for 'Mr. Barry's Etchings'. Impact: The casting of Lee Tracy and Vicki Cummings led to a new trend in Hollywood where stars were chosen based on their ability to handle ticket distribution issues rather than their acting skills, resulting in the first-ever 'Ticket Master' awards.. Fact: And you thought the current ticketing mess was bad! At least now we have online platforms to blame instead of actors..
• Headline: COPLON WIRE-TAPS DENIED, ADMITTED; F.B.I. Witness First Disclaims Awareness, Then Tells of Destroying Reports. Impact: The FBI's tangled web of deceit over wiretaps inspired a new genre of crime novels, where the protagonists were always one step ahead of the agents—leading to a significant rise in public distrust of any government agency… or any agency, really.. Fact: Isn't it funny how a little miscommunication can turn into epic tales of espionage? Just like family reunions, but with more wiretaps..
• Headline: BANK CLEARINGS SOAR; Week's Total, $17,253,006,000, Highest in 20 Years. Impact: The surge in bank clearings led to a nationwide trend of people bragging about their bank accounts, which eventually led to the rise of personal finance influencers—because who doesn’t want to be told how to save money by someone with a perfectly curated Instagram?. Fact: The first personal finance influencer was actually just a guy in a coffee shop yelling investment advice at anyone who would listen. Some things never change!.
• Headline: 3 APPEAL TO HALT TRIAL IN MURDER; Ask Federal Court in Trenton to Act After Ousting of Their Original Counsel. Impact: The defendants' appeal to halt their trial sparked a new legal strategy called 'The Great Delay,' which saw lawyers across the country specializing in making trials last longer than most marriages.. Fact: In legal circles, there’s a saying: 'Justice delayed is justice denied.' Who knew they also meant prolonged legal battles were a new form of entertainment?.
• Headline: WESTCHESTER AID FOR COLLEGE DIMS; Supervisors Want the State to Take Responsibility for a University. Impact: Westchester's push for state responsibility for university funding led to a nationwide trend where counties began outsourcing their responsibilities to the state, leading to a series of bizarre state-funded projects, including a university for teaching squirrels.. Fact: Fun fact: That squirrel university is still in operation today, though enrollment has dropped sharply after a series of unfortunate acorn-related incidents..
• Headline: WARREN A. SHERMAN. Impact: Warren A. Sherman's name gained notoriety, leading to a bizarre cult following of people who believed he could predict the stock market based on the alignment of his initials with the moon—thus birthing the first astrology-based investment firm.. Fact: Ever wonder why some investors are obsessed with zodiac signs? Thank Warren A. Sherman for that delightful mix of astrology and financial ruin!.