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 June 28, 1953
Full News Archive
- Headline: Baltimore's Iron Horse Show Unveiled. Impact: The opening of the Museum of Transportation initiated a chain reaction that led to the world's first train-themed reality show. Contestants raced to build the most impractical railway system, ultimately proving that America loves trains more than common sense.. Fact: The Iron Horse Show was so popular that it inspired a generation of children to grow up dreaming of becoming train conductors, only to realize later that they had a knack for more realistic careers, like social media influencers..
- Headline: New Admission Fees for Travelers Approved. Impact: The new admission fees led to a national outcry, sparking the Great Travel Fee Revolution of 1954. This event culminated in the founding of the 'Free Travel Society,' which fought valiantly (and unsuccessfully) for the right to travel at no cost.. Fact: The new admission fees were rumored to have been set by a secret cabal of travel agents who wanted to fund their extravagant Hawaiian retreats. No evidence to support this, but it sounds good, right?.
- Headline: With an Eye for Beauty; THE TRAVELS OF IBN JUBAYR. Translated from the Arabic and edited by R. J. C. Broadhurst. 430 pp. New York: British Book Center. $9.. Impact: The travels of Ibn Jubayr became the catalyst for the world's first travel guidebook series, leading to an explosion of 'Instagrammable' locations across the globe, long before social media was even a thing.. Fact: Ibn Jubayr's travels were so detailed that they inspired future travelers to write their own overly-dramatic blogs about their trips to the grocery store and how it changed their lives..
- Headline: Civil War Threat Seen. Impact: The warning about a civil war was so alarming that it led to the establishment of 'The Unofficial Committee for the Prevention of Civil Wars,' which met weekly over coffee and pastries to discuss how to avoid civil unrest while thoroughly enjoying their pastries.. Fact: Pres Paz's warnings were often overshadowed by the fact that 'tin barons' had the best snacks at meetings, making them the unintentional center of attention..
- Headline: MRS. WILLIAM B. KEAN ]. Impact: The passing of Mrs. William B. Kean led to a sudden spike in interest in historical female figures, causing a ripple effect that would eventually inspire the 'Women Who Were Married to Important Men' convention in 1960.. Fact: Mrs. Kean was often overshadowed by her husband's achievements, much like how your friendβs pet cat steals the show at every party..
- Headline: ' The Greatest Power in Asia Is the People'; Outlining ten conditions for formulating U. S. policy in the Far East, Mr. Bowles says knowledge of the Asian popular spirit is basic.. Impact: C. Bowles' proposed ten principles for U.S. policy in Asia inadvertently inspired a long line of overly complicated government documents that would confuse generations of bureaucrats, leading to a national pastime of reading government jargon for fun.. Fact: The phrase 'The Greatest Power in Asia Is the People' sparked a heated debate over whether it should be made into a motivational poster, or if it was too deep for the average cubicle..
Wall Street Time Machine
CVX
Chevron
Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1953, it would be worth $474,914 today (474.9x return)
GE
General Electric
General Electric - If you invested $1,000 in 1953, it would be worth $487,501 today (487.5x return)
IBM
IBM
IBM - If you invested $1,000 in 1953, it would be worth $205,272 today (205.3x return)