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 29, 1950
Full News Archive
- Headline: Jet Units Revolutionize Takeoff in Ecuador. Impact: If this jet-assisted takeoff had failed, we might still be flying in those absurd propeller planes that require an act of God to stay airborne. Instead, we are now stuck with overpriced tickets and cramped seats in flying sardine cans.. Fact: Fun fact: The first jet aircraft made the Wright brothers look like they were still trying to figure out how to build a paper airplane..
- Headline: Children Teach Square Dancing at Camp. Impact: Imagine if these kids had actually inspired a global square dancing craze. We'd all be living in a world where 'The Macarena' is just a square dance you do while waiting for your coffee.. Fact: Did you know that square dancing is the only dance form guaranteed to make you look both awkward and like you belong to a cult?.
- Headline: AMERICANS' VALOR EXTOLLED IN U.N.; Six Nations in Security Council Salute U.S. Forces--Egypt and Yugoslavia Silent. Impact: The U.N.'s silence from Egypt and Yugoslavia might have led to some awkward dinner parties in the years to come, as they desperately tried to avoid discussing that one time they didn't clap for the U.S. troops.. Fact: The United Nations: where you can get praised for your valor while still being the subject of passive-aggressive notes at the coffee machine..
- Headline: U.S. COUNTER-BLOW RESTORES LINE AFTER NORTH KOREAN ONSLAUGHT; TRUMAN ASKS BIG STOCKPILE RISES; AMERICANS WHO BROKE OUT OF NORTH KOREAN TRAP. Impact: This counter-offensive not only changed the course of the Korean War but also set the stage for decades of tense relations, leading to a never-ending stream of Netflix documentaries and memes about North Korea.. Fact: Did you know that the Korean War is often called 'The Forgotten War'? Probably because nobody wants to remember the awkward family reunions that followed..
- Headline: U.S. WILL HOLD JURIES TO SPEED SPY CASES. Impact: This decision to prioritize espionage cases may have led to a spike in spy novelsβwho knew a legal move could inspire so much fiction? The next James Bond might just be a disgruntled juror.. Fact: The Justice Department: Making sure that your average day in court feels more like a scene from a Bond movie, minus the cool gadgets..
- Headline: Legion of Guardsmen Elects. Impact: This little election probably resulted in a few awkward conversations about who really deserves to be in charge of guarding what, leading to endless debates at local diners.. Fact: Fun fact: Every time someone is elected to a small position, a parallel universe is created where they actually have a clue about what they're doing..
- Headline: Louis Definitely Plans Comeback; Seeks Title Fight in September; Brown Bomber Hopes for Bout Here or in Chicago With Charles, I.B.C. Says. Impact: If Louis had managed a comeback, it might have sparked a new era of boxing legendsβone where every retired athlete thinks they can reclaim their glory days, leading to a rise in cringe-worthy comeback attempts.. Fact: Louis's comeback plans sound a lot like that one friend who insists they can still do a backflip after ten years of not attempting it. Spoiler alert: they can't..
- Headline: MILLIKIN IS RENOMINATED; Colorado G.O.P. Session Backs Senator by Acclamation. Impact: Millikin's renomination probably made every political strategist rethink their life choices, leading to a series of questionable campaign slogans and an increased number of political memes.. Fact: In politics, 'by acclamation' basically means nobody had the energy to argue against it. It's like the group project where one person does all the work, and everyone just agrees to take credit..
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)