APRIL 15, 1955

Full News Archive

• Headline: Debate on Automation's Future and Risks. Impact: If only we had automated everything back then, we might have avoided having to listen to endless debates on the implications of automation today. But alas, here we are, still arguing about whether robots will take our jobs or just our sanity. Fact: Did you know that the first robot was created in 1956? Spoiler alert: it didn't have a personality either.
• Headline: Con Ed Considers Dropping Natural Gas. Impact: Con Edison’s decision to drop natural gas could have led to a world where we all switched to renewable energy sooner, or we just started burning our furniture for warmth. Either way, it would have been an interesting twist in the environmental timeline. Fact: They say natural gas is a cleaner energy source. But when you're freezing in the dark, you don't really care how 'clean' it is.
• Headline: Economic Boom in Island Industries. Impact: The economic growth from island industries might have paved the way for tropical vacations becoming the go-to escape for stressed-out office workers. Thanks, capitalism, for making 'work hard, play hard' a thing!. Fact: In 1954, $995 million was a lot of money. Today, it’s approximately the cost of one overpriced avocado toast in San Francisco.
• Headline: LIFE WILL PUBLISH A CHURCHILL WORK. Impact: Churchill’s work being published could have inspired future leaders to write their memoirs, leading to the rise of the political tell-all. Thanks to that, we now have more scandal than substance in politics. Fact: Did you know that Churchill loved to paint? He probably should have stuck to that instead of politics; at least the canvases don’t argue back.
• Headline: Books of The Times. Impact: Every time a book gets published, an entire industry breathes a sigh of relief. This one could have set off a trend of late-night reading binges that would eventually lead to Netflix binging. Thank you, literature!. Fact: If you stacked all the books published in a year, you could create a pile high enough to block out the sun. Or just block your view of your responsibilities.
• Headline: World Bank Plans New Agency To Help Underdeveloped Nations; 56 Countries Would Provide $100,000,000 to Invest in Private Enterprises -- Congress' Approval Hoped For. Impact: The World Bank's plans might have sparked a chain reaction of funding that eventually led to the rise of billion-dollar startups today. Who knew that a little charity could turn into a big business?. Fact: In 1954, $100 million was a fortune. Now it’s what some people make selling artisanal pickles on Etsy.
• Headline: Big Atom Test Set for Today. Impact: This atom test could have led to a world either devastated by nuclear fallout or one where we just had a lot of really intense fireworks displays. But you know, science!. Fact: The first atomic bomb test was called 'Trinity.' So, clearly, the scientists had a flair for the dramatic.
• Headline: I LOVE YOU' FOILS SUICIDE; Clerk on Sixth-Floor Ledge Swayed by Girl's Pleading. Impact: This heartfelt moment could have sparked a worldwide movement of people realizing that sometimes, all it takes to save a life is a little love and a lot of yelling. Imagine the group therapy sessions that could have followed!. Fact: They say love conquers all. Apparently, that includes balancing on ledges and making life decisions.
• Headline: RADFORD RECEIVES BIBLE; Accepts 40 Millionth Volume Issued for Service Men. Impact: The presentation of the 40 millionth Bible may have led to an explosion of people suddenly feeling guilty about not reading it. This might have unintentionally boosted the self-help book industry. Fact: The Bible is the most distributed book in the world. It’s like the original self-help bestseller, but with a lot more rules.
• Headline: STATE LIQUOR AIDE SUICIDE IN INQUIRY; Note Left in Deputy's Hotel Room Stirs Extraordinary Interest Among Officials. Impact: This unfortunate event could have raised awareness about mental health issues, leading to more support systems being developed. Or it could have just made people more paranoid about their own secrets. Fact: Suicide is a heavy topic, but it’s important to remember that mental health is just as vital as physical health. It’s not all doom and gloom; there’s hope!.