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 December 29, 1953
Full News Archive
- Headline: Verse Revives Original Drama in 1953. Impact: As more poetic plays emerged, they inadvertently led to a surge in overly pretentious dinner parties where guests recited obscure verses. This trend culminated in a nationwide shortage of eye-rolls.. Fact: Because nothing says 'I enjoy art' quite like pretending to understand iambic pentameter over a glass of overpriced wine..
- Headline: Gerosa's Oath as City Controller. Impact: Gerosa's oath-taking ceremony sparked a wave of pride among local families, leading to an influx of unsolicited advice on how to run the cityβnone of which included any actual governance experience.. Fact: Fun fact: Taking an oath is just like a regular promise, but with a fancier setting and more witnesses to judge your future failures..
- Headline: Record National Output Reached in 1953. Impact: This monumental output led to an explosion of consumer products, which eventually resulted in the birth of the infamous 'junk drawer'βa black hole of forgotten batteries and takeout menus.. Fact: Thatβs right, folks! The economy is doing great, just as long as you ignore the mountain of debt and the fact that you can't remember the last time you bought something that wasn't a 'great deal'..
- Headline: JERSEY TEEN-AGERS STUDY GOVERNMENT. Impact: This initiative led to a generation of teenagers who became intensely passionate about government, but unfortunately, they only learned how to complain about it on social media instead of voting.. Fact: Who knew that studying government could lead to two outcomes: either becoming a politician or just really good at arguing on Facebook?.
- Headline: OPERA FOR CHILDREN; ' Babar the Elephant' Directed by Scherman at Hunter. Impact: The success of 'Babar the Elephant' inspired a slew of children's operas, leading to a generation of kids who could sing in Italian but still couldnβt do their math homework.. Fact: Who knew elephants could be so cultured? I guess they really do say that art is for everyoneβeven the trunked ones..
- Headline: NASSAU JURY ASKS STIFF UNION CURBS; Presentment in Four-Months Inquiry Urges State Rule of Finances, Elections. Impact: The jury's recommendations inadvertently set off a chain reaction of union negotiations that resulted in countless late-night debates over coffee and donutsβbecause nothing says 'serious discussion' like pastries.. Fact: This jury just wanted to control finances and elections, but ended up being the catalyst for more union meetings than anyone signed up for. Bon appΓ©tit!.
- Headline: THE THEATRE; Literary Maze. Impact: The literary maze of theater led to an era of increasingly convoluted plots that made audiences question if they were watching a play or a very elaborate escape room.. Fact: If you ever feel lost in a literary maze, remember: the exit is usually just a pretentious coffee shop down the street..
- Headline: EVISE FILM CODE, GOLDWYN URGES; Pars Loss of Its Authority If Not Modernized -- Cites Maturity of Audiences. Impact: Goldwyn's push for a revised film code led to a Hollywood renaissance, where films finally embraced complexity, thus paving the way for a new generation of movies that would confuse and delight audiences for decades.. Fact: Imagine a world where film codes actually kept up with audiences. We might have avoided the 47 sequels to every superhero movie ever made!.
- Headline: Rocket Plane Fell 10 Miles on Record Speed Flight. Impact: Yeager's near-catastrophe sparked a newfound obsession with safety protocols, resulting in a generation of engineers who still insist on triple-checking everything, even their morning coffee.. Fact: Falling 10 miles might seem like a bad day, but on the bright side, itβs a guaranteed way to make a boring Monday morning story way more interesting!.
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)