FEBRUARY 14, 1951

Full News Archive

• Headline: State Chambers Decry U.S. Manpower Waste. Impact: The complaints about manpower waste led to a nationwide obsession with efficiency, ultimately resulting in the invention of the coffee break. Yes, folks, thank the State Chambers for your caffeine addiction.. Fact: Did you know that before coffee breaks became a thing, people just worked? Boring, right?.
• Headline: Italy Warned on U.S. Military Support. Impact: This cautionary tale about U.S. arms help sparked a global debate that led to the formation of many secret societies, all of whom believed they could do a better job at keeping peace without any weapons whatsoever. Spoiler alert: they couldn't.. Fact: Fun fact: Italy once tried to hold a peace conference with a pizza party. It did not go well..
• Headline: 12% 'Catch-Up' Pay Rises Urged By Labor Members of Wage Board; WAGE BOARD LABOR ASKS 12% PAY RISE Labor Representation Hinted. Impact: The push for a 12% pay rise by labor members ignited a series of labor movements that eventually led to the establishment of 'Take Your Boss to Work Day'—because nothing says camaraderie like passive-aggressive potlucks.. Fact: Did you know that workers used to be grateful for even a 1% raise? Times have changed, haven't they?.
• Headline: Ford Fund Gives Million for Center For 'World Brotherhood' Near U.N.; FORD GIVES MILLION FOR 'BROTHERHOOD' Center for Education. Impact: The Ford Fund's million-dollar donation for 'World Brotherhood' inadvertently led to the establishment of countless global charities, many of which still can't agree on where to send the checks.. Fact: Did you know that Ford's idea of 'brotherhood' included a lot of cars? Because nothing says unity like traffic jams..
• Headline: ESPIONAGE TRIAL OF 3 TO OPEN ON MARCH 6. Impact: The espionage trial set off a frenzy of spy novels and movies, ultimately leading to the 'James Bond' phenomenon. Thanks, Greenglass, for giving us a reason to keep watching those action flicks!. Fact: Did you know that the real spies are usually boring office workers? They don’t get to wear cool tuxedos or drive fancy cars..
• Headline: WEST NOW WEIGHS UNIFYING GERMANY; Allies Seen Ready to Discuss Demilitarization Although Wary of Soviet Tricks WEST NOW WEIGHS UNIFYING GERMANY Eden Views Given West Would Ask Guarantees Mid-March Deputy Talks Seen March Date Doubted in U.S.. Impact: The weighing of Germany's unification led to decades of political maneuvering, which eventually resulted in the invention of the 'unification committee'—a group of people who talk forever without getting anything done.. Fact: Did you know that after the Berlin Wall fell, there was a party that lasted for days? Just shows that sometimes it pays to take down walls—literally..