Inventions & Breakthroughs of October 1951
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
First Commercial Computer (UNIVAC I)
2 
Microwave Popcorn
3 
Nuclear Power Generation
4 
Automatic Transmission (Hydramatic)
5 
Electric Hedge Trimmer
6 
Television Color Broadcasting
7 
Artificial Pacemaker
8 
Jet Passenger Aircraft Service
9 
Transistorized Hearing Aid
10 
Industrial Robot Concept
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON October 26, 1951
Full News Archive
- Headline: Britain to Free Israeli Securities. Impact: Britain freeing Israeli securities was like setting a kid free in a candy store, but instead of candy, it was financial chaos. Who knew economics could be so sweet?. Fact: This release was probably the first instance of 'securities' being confused with 'security blankets'—everyone just wanted a little comfort..
- Headline: Elected to the Presidency Of Bronx Kiwanis Club. Impact: Electing H.L. Fischler to the Bronx Kiwanis Club presidency set off a chain of events leading to the eventual rise of club politics, where every member secretly aspired to be president but didn't want to do any of the work.. Fact: The Kiwanis Club: where the biggest debates are over who gets the last piece of cake at meetings..
- Headline: U.S. TO SEND B-26'S TO BASE IN FRANCE; 50 Bombers Will Leave Soon to Become First Such Craft on Continent Since War U.S. TO SEND B-26'S TO BASE IN FRANCE Departure Date Withheld Unit to be Based Near Bordeaux. Impact: Sending B-26s to France was like sending a text to an ex that you’re still not over. It opened old wounds and reminded everyone of the past, just with slightly more firepower.. Fact: This was the first time the U.S. military had bombers in Europe since WWII. Talk about a dramatic reunion!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1951, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1951
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,657
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1951, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
Rank #2
MO
Philip Morris
Price in 1951
$0.00
2025 dataset value
$23,651,345
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1951, it would be worth $23,651,345 today (23651.3x return)
Rank #3
CVX
Chevron
Price in 1951
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$474,914
Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1951, it would be worth $474,914 today (474.9x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Action Comics #157
$150
Detective Comics #168
$10,200
Vault of Horror #17
$42,000
Batman #66
$150
Young Men #24
$150
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Colorforms
$250.00
View-Master (continued popularity)
$150.00
Magic 8-Ball
$75.00
Mr. Potato Head
$150.00
Betsy Wetsy Doll
$300.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253
$90,000
1951 Topps Red & Blue Back #10 Yogi Berra
$20,000
1951 Topps Ringside Boxing #32 Rocky Marciano
$14,400
1951 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson
$10,000
1951 Topps Magic Football #7 Tom Fears
$1,500