NOVEMBER 1, 1953

Full News Archive

• Headline: Record Student Aid at Dartmouth College. Impact: The increase in student aid led to a generation of over-educated individuals who would later lead to the Great Debate on whether avocado toast should be considered a breakfast food or a lifestyle choice.. Fact: In 1954, students actually had to use paper and pencils for their homework, which is a far cry from today's 'I just Googled it' approach..
• Headline: NYU Engineering Research Funding Surges. Impact: The massive funding for engineering research paved the way for future innovations, including the invention of the self-twirling spaghetti fork, which revolutionized dinner time for passive-aggressive Italians everywhere.. Fact: In 1953, engineering students were still trying to figure out how to make a calculator that didn't require a PhD to operate..
• Headline: Electric Sign Celebrates 25 Years. Impact: The electric sign in Times Square became a beacon of hope, eventually leading to the creation of countless Instagram accounts dedicated to capturing the 'perfect' neon selfie.. Fact: Back in 1954, the only flashing lights you had to worry about were on the Times Tower and your neighbor’s questionable Christmas decorations..
• Headline: PUZZLES BY TELEPHONE; Dial System in Vienna Expands Its Unusual Services. Impact: The puzzling telephone service in Vienna led to an international crisis when people started calling in not for puzzles, but to complain about their love lives, resulting in a boom of amateur therapists.. Fact: In the 1950s, if you had a puzzle to solve, you had to dial a number and pray someone picked up, unlike today when you just Google 'how to fix my life'..
• Headline: Major Sports News. Impact: The victory of Crafty Admiral sparked a nationwide obsession with animal names in sports, leading to the eventual emergence of teams like the 'Fighting Flamingos' and the 'Sassy Sloths'.. Fact: The Empire Gold Cup is the only cup that comes with a side of fish and chips, because what’s more British than winning while eating?.
• Headline: Air Crash Kills 4 Football Fans. Impact: The tragic air crash reminded people that attending sporting events could be dangerous, leading to the invention of the bubble-wrapped fan, which has since become a staple at all high-stakes games.. Fact: In the 1950s, flying was still glamorous, until you realized the pilot could also be a football fan and possibly a terrible driver..
• Headline: FOR THE MIGRATORY VACATIONIST; Outlook Is Good for a Busy Winter of Pleasure Travel With Queen Elizabeth Setting a Regal Pace on a Tour of Her Empire. Impact: Queen Elizabeth's tour set the stage for future royal family vacations, where the only thing more valuable than her crown jewels was the gossip that came with each trip.. Fact: In 1954, the idea of a 'vacation' consisted of wearing socks with sandals and pretending to enjoy the local cuisine without Instagramming every moment..
• Headline: COTTON IMPOUNDED AT A RECORD RATE; Movement Into Federal Loan Spurred by Rate Premium Over Market Price. Impact: The impounding of cotton at record rates eventually led to the rise of cotton-based conspiracy theories, claiming that the fabric was actually an alien technology to control human behavior through comfort.. Fact: Farmers in the 1950s were so into cotton that they thought about launching a reality show called 'Keeping Up with the Cotton Farmers'—it never took off..
• Headline: UNDERSEA VACATIONS; Spearfishing Boom Comes To the Caribbean. Impact: The spearfishing boom in the Caribbean led to increased tourism, which subsequently resulted in the world's largest collection of sunburns and regrettable tattoos.. Fact: In the 1950s, if you wanted to go spearfishing, you had to make sure you didn't accidentally spear your own foot—unlike today, where you just have to worry about the Wi-Fi signal underwater..