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 August 12, 1956
Full News Archive
- Headline: The Legacy of Disaster in 1956. Impact: The disaster caused by Humphreys' estate led to a chain reaction of terrible real estate deals, resulting in the invention of the phrase 'buyer beware'βwhich ironically made everyone more cautious and led to a rise in the popularity of inflatable furniture.. Fact: Did you know that if you stack up enough inflatable furniture, it can double as a bouncy castle for adults? Just don't forget the safety net!.
- Headline: New Acid Plant in Valleyfield. Impact: Nichols Chemical's acid plant in Canada sparked a rash of bizarre chemical mishaps that inadvertently led to the development of a new line of 'accidentally' sour candy. Now kids everywhere are just asking for more!. Fact: They say if you mix enough acids, you get a sweet reaction... but donβt try this at home, kids. Chemistry sets are for science fairs, not for flavor experiments!.
- Headline: K Guettler Ties Home Run Record. Impact: Guettler's home run mark being tied led to an influx of home runs in baseball, which in turn inspired the invention of the 'home run derby'βa competition so popular it eventually overshadowed the actual World Series, making it the most watched event in history, right after the final episode of 'Friends.'. Fact: Home runs are just baseball's way of saying, 'Look at me! I can hit things far!' It's like the sport's version of a toddler shouting, 'Look, I can jump!'.
- Headline: SUEZ IS LATEST IN SERIES OF SETBACKS FOR BRITAIN; But a Firm Stand on an International Status for the Canal Is Indicated Emphasis on Sanctions Foreign Recipe Trade the Goal Arab Gains Violent Reaction. Impact: The Suez crisis became the catalyst for endless debates on international control, leading to countless coffee breaks filled with passionate arguments about who really owns the world's waterways. Spoiler: itβs always the coffee makers.. Fact: Suez is so vital that if it were a person, it would be the one holding the group chat together, constantly reminding everyone to stay on topic while secretly enjoying the chaos..
- Headline: 'Rump' Units From Two States Fail to the Regular Democratic Delegations; CONTEST LOOMS OVER MISSISSIPPI Disloyalty Charges Raised Before Open Meeting of National Committee PROTEST TURNED DOWN Bid by Splinter Group From South Carolina Also Is Unanimously Rejected. Impact: The infighting among Democratic delegations over disloyalty charges led to the creation of a new political sport: blame-tag. Itβs like dodgeball, but with accusations flying instead of balls, and everyoneβs a targetβexcept the actual issues, of course.. Fact: Political meetings are just one big game of 'who can throw the loudest tantrum,' and everyone knows the real prize is not solving anything but rather getting your name in the paper..
- Headline: THE FACE OF A CITY; TIME OUT FOR THE NEWS. Impact: The Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts show inspired a wave of artistic pretentiousness that spread across the country, leading to countless 'artsy' coffee shops where the coffee is always cold and the art is just a canvas splattered with paint because someone 'felt it.'. Fact: Art is subjective, which is a fancy way of saying, 'I don't get it, but I'm pretending to because I like the vibe of being in a gallery.'.
Wall Street Time Machine
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $3,433,939 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)