AUGUST 13, 1950

Full News Archive

• Headline: Operation of Pacific Airlift Begins. Impact: The efficiency of the Pacific airlift prompted several future military operations to rely on air transportation, leading to the invention of the snack-sized military MRE—Meals Ready to Eat—because nothing says 'I'm ready for combat' like a pre-packaged lasagna.. Fact: Airlift operations were so successful that they later inspired a popular reality TV show about surviving with only canned food and a parachute..
• Headline: G.I.'s Struggles in Korea Due to Confusion. Impact: The lack of information for G.I.s in Korea led to a long tradition of military personnel being left in the dark, which eventually inspired the creation of countless conspiracy theories about government secrecy that would later keep internet forums buzzing.. Fact: G.I.s still joke that they signed up for the army thinking it was a membership to a really exclusive club; turns out, it was just a lifetime commitment of confusion..
• Headline: Greenwich Revives Civilian Defense Efforts. Impact: Greenwich's civilian defense efforts not only improved local safety but also set a precedent for future emergency management systems, leading to the creation of 'How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse' workshops that are still wildly popular today.. Fact: The first aid courses revived by the Red Cross were so popular that they almost had to start a 'First Aid for Dummies' series—oh wait, they did!.
• Headline: FORD PAY INCREASE IS ASKED FOR 117,000; Auto Workers' Is First Large Union Since Korean War to Seek Living-Costs Rise Ford 'Package' Held Inadequate Local's Demand Rejected FORD PAY INCREASE ASKED FOR 117,000 Talks With Packers Continue Hosiery Workers Ask Rise. Impact: Ford workers demanding a pay increase would later inspire an entire generation of labor movements, resulting in an unexpected boom in the self-help book industry, with titles like 'How to Ask for a Raise Without Crying'.. Fact: The auto industry pay battles led to the invention of the 'living wage' concept, which is pretty much the adult equivalent of asking for pizza money..
• Headline: THRILLS FOR TOURISTS ON A NEAR-BY CHAIR-LIFT; FROM AN OVERLOOK ON THE RIP VAN WINKLE TRAIL. Impact: The chair-lift conversion for tourists at Belleayre Mt not only boosted local tourism but also inspired an entire line of thrill-seeking reality shows, where contestants race to the top while simultaneously trying not to drop their overpriced lattes.. Fact: Chair-lifts were originally designed for skiers, but now they double as a great way to people-watch and judge their choice of ski attire..
• Headline: Criminals At Large; Out Our Way Deep Freeze. Impact: The phrase 'criminals at large' became the new catchphrase for every lazy person who didn't want to do their chores, leading to a generation of procrastinators who felt justified in their laziness.. Fact: Keeping cool during a crime spree is apparently the best way to avoid detection—just ask every cartoon villain ever..
• Headline: STATE IS PUT FIRST IN HELPING OF AGED; Desmond Stresses New York's Recent Move to Find More Job Openings for Them Help for the Aging Job-Seeker Educational Aid Planned. Impact: New York's initiative to help the aged created a ripple effect that led to the 'Senior Discount' phenomenon, which now impacts just about every business model in existence—because who doesn't love a good discount?. Fact: Educational aid for job-seekers is so effective that it's the only thing keeping the 'how to be a barista' classes from becoming a reality TV show..
• Headline: In Brief: General Books; Racing Driver Before the Mast In Line and Word Lap of Earth Facts and Fables. Impact: The publication of books about racing drivers and poetry opened the floodgates for a new genre of literary competitions, where aspiring authors would push the limits of creativity while simultaneously questioning their life choices.. Fact: Racing drivers are often the unsung heroes of poetry; they just have a different way of expressing their feelings—usually at 200 mph..
• Headline: NEWS AND EVENTS; Gladiolus Shows Take the Spotlight This Month On the Air Nurserymen Meet Tree Specialists. Impact: The spotlight on gladiolus shows led to an unexpected boom in the gardening community, which in turn inspired countless enthusiasts to create social media accounts dedicated to their plants—because who wouldn't want to follow a cactus's journey?. Fact: Gladiolus flowers are so dramatic that they make reality TV stars look like wallflowers at a dance..
• Headline: Newsprint Output Mark Set. Impact: The record high in newsprint output set the stage for the overwhelming amount of newspapers that would later clutter our lives, leading to the invention of recycling bins and the phrase 'I swear, I just bought this issue!'. Fact: Census reports are like the Facebook of the past—everyone's reading it, but no one wants to admit it..