MAY 11, 1952

Full News Archive

• Headline: The Richer Harvest by Elizabeth Corbett. Impact: Corbett's book inspired a generation of readers who believed they could cultivate a metaphorical harvest with zero agricultural skills. Cue the indoor plant craze of the 21st century!. Fact: Fun fact: 'The Richer Harvest' is the title of a book, not a self-help guide for your finances. Sorry to burst your bubble!.
• Headline: Middle-Income Housing Crisis of 1952. Impact: The housing crisis triggered by this report led to the invention of tiny houses, which would later become a trend that hipsters would claim as their own. Thanks a lot, middle-income renters!. Fact: Turns out, 'middle-income' is just code for 'we're not rich enough to buy a house but too rich to live in our parents’ basement.'.
• Headline: SEA LAW CHANGES ADOPTED AT PARLEY; Nations Agree on Revisions Affecting Collision Suits and Arrest of Crewmen. Impact: These maritime law changes set off a flurry of international debates that ultimately led to the invention of pirate-themed escape rooms. Because who doesn't want to be a pirate for an hour?. Fact: Did you know that maritime law is just a fancy way of saying, 'Let's argue about who gets to keep the treasure?'.
• Headline: JACK GROSS BEATEN, HERWITZ MENACED ON TRIAL OF POLICE; Gambler's Brother Is Injured a Few Hours Before Graft Prosecutor Gets Threat. Impact: Jack Gross’s misfortunes led to a new rule in crime dramas: if a character has a brother, he's probably going to get beaten up at some point. Thanks for the trope, Jack!. Fact: Crime drama writers everywhere thank Jack Gross for his unfortunate family ties. The more chaos, the better ratings!.
• Headline: WOMEN DECLARED ABLE TO END WAR; Rabbi Polish Also Extols the Power of Mothers to Shape Characters of Children. Impact: Rabbi Polish’s assertion about women's power led to a secret society of mothers who wielded influence over local politics through bake sales and PTA meetings. Who knew cookies could change the world?. Fact: Spoiler alert: The real reason women were declared able to end wars is that they were tired of their husbands hogging the remote during football season..
• Headline: Why Fear and Hate Shadow Our Prisons; Obsolete plants and methods, and paradoxes in our penal system, underlie recent riots.. Impact: The insights into prison conditions led to a nationwide trend of prison reform that eventually turned into a popular Netflix series. Talk about a plot twist!. Fact: Did you know that prison riots are just the inmates’ way of saying, 'This place could use a makeover?'.
• Headline: AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE; Rates Rise While State Plans a New Survey. Impact: The rising insurance rates sparked a revolution in public transportation that made Uber and Lyft the billion-dollar industries they are today. Thanks for the push, automobile insurance!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing rising faster than car insurance rates is my blood pressure when I see my bill!.
• Headline: G. E. Cutting Appliances Output. Impact: GE's output cuts led to a nationwide obsession with DIY appliance repairs, giving rise to millions of YouTube tutorials featuring seemingly qualified individuals with questionable tools.. Fact: Did you know that GE’s motto should have been, 'If it breaks, just watch a YouTube video and pretend you're an expert!'?.
• Headline: HOUSE GROUP ENDS SEA BILL HEARINGS; Admiral Cochrane Reiterates White House Opposition to Aiding the Unsubsidized. Impact: Admiral Cochrane's stance on subsidies eventually led to the realization that the only thing more obsolete than the fleet was the idea of agreeing with the White House. Surprise!. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'unsubsidized' is just a fancy way of saying, 'Good luck, you're on your own!'.