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 July 5, 1950
Full News Archive
- Headline: Asia Unions Address Korean War Impact. Impact: The call for Asian unions sparked a series of secret meetings between nations that eventually led to a bizarre annual event called 'Asian Unity Day,' where representatives compete in bizarre sports like synchronized tea pouring and competitive noodle slurping.. Fact: Did you know that while they were trying to form unions, they could have just sent a group chat instead? So much for the modern age!.
- Headline: HORACE Y. SEIDEL. Impact: Seidel's name being on the headlines caused a ripple effect among future Horaces, leading to an unusual naming trend where parents thought naming their child Horace was the key to historical importance. Spoiler: it wasnβt.. Fact: Did you know that 'Horace' means 'timekeeper' in Latin? Ironically, it seems Horace Seidel was actually rather bad at being remembered in time!.
- Headline: Cuban Gunmen Steal All Papers Relating To Charge of $174,000,000 Grau Scandal. Impact: The theft of these papers led to a decades-long obsession with conspiracy theories in Cuba, with people convinced that the papers were actually the key to a hidden treasure. Turns out, they were just really bad accounting records.. Fact: Did you know that in Cuba, the only thing harder to find than a good accounting record is a reliable Wi-Fi connection?.
- Headline: TRADE WRITERS ELECT; Conroy, New York Times Man President of Association. Impact: Conroy's election as president led to a surge in trade jargon that completely baffles everyone outside the industry, resulting in a secret society dedicated to deciphering the real meaning behind terms like 'synergy' and 'leverage.'. Fact: Did you know that trade writers have their own secret handshake? It's just a complex series of nods and eye rolls..
- Headline: FRED W.C. RIDEOUT. Impact: Rideoutβs name being mentioned made every Fred in the world feel slightly more important for a day. Sadly, this led to a number of Freds applying for historical recognition despite having done absolutely nothing.. Fact: Did you know that 'Rideout' sounds like the name of a cowboy movie? Spoiler alert: itβs not..
- Headline: WORKING CAPITAL AT 69-BILLION PEAK; S.E.C. Reports Record Total at End of March, Exclusive of Banks, Surety Concerns LIQUID POSITION IMPROVED Over $40,000,000,000 in Cash, Government Securities Held Put at 72% of Liabilities Investment in Plant Total Assets Up. Impact: This financial report made Wall Street so giddy that it inadvertently led to the creation of the term 'Bull Market Dance' where traders would celebrate profits by awkwardly dancing in their offices. The trend has since faded, thankfully.. Fact: Did you know that 'working capital' is just a fancy way of saying 'money that we promise to keep working but really just sits around doing nothing?'.
- Headline: WILLIAM DOLHON. Impact: Dolhon's brief mention in history led to an alarming rise in people googling his name, resulting in an entire generation of Dolhons demanding recognition for their mundane lives.. Fact: Did you know that 'Dolhon' sounds like a character from a low-budget sci-fi movie? Just imagine the possibilities!.
- Headline: 5 GROUPS WILL SIFT POOL PLAN ASPECTS; Committees Named at Parley of 6 Nations--Differences Seen as Not Insuperable Attitude Satisfies French. Impact: This parley set off a chain reaction of committee formations that eventually led to the infamous 'Committee of Committees,' which became so convoluted that no one remembered what they were originally supposed to discuss.. Fact: Did you know that committee meetings have been scientifically proven to be less effective than a group of cats trying to organize a nap?.
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1950, it would be worth $3,433,941 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1950, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
MO
Philip Morris
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1950, it would be worth $23,651,330 today (23651.3x return)