OCTOBER 10, 1956

Full News Archive

• Headline: Sporting Goods Demand Rises in 1956. Impact: The increase in demand for sporting items led to a nationwide obsession with fitness, which eventually caused the rise of yoga pants as acceptable everyday wear. You can thank this headline for the millions of people who now wear them while doing absolutely nothing athletic.. Fact: Did you know that 'Yule' is just a fancy way of saying Christmas? I guess the exhibitors thought they needed an extra excuse to sell us overpriced sporting goods..
• Headline: Mrs. Eisenhower's Health Update. Impact: Mrs. Eisenhower's cold was so contagious that it sparked a nationwide trend of people pretending to be sick to avoid social obligations. The 'Eisenhower Flu' is now a part of American folklore.. Fact: Did you know that cold symptoms have been used as the perfect excuse for skipping work since the dawn of time? It's practically an Olympic sport..
• Headline: BOMB BID UPHELD; Democrat, in Seattle, Says G.O.P. Scuttles Atoms-for-Peace Presidency 'Diminished' Attacks Farm Policy STEVENSON BACKS HALTING OF TESTS Assails Resources Policy No Criticism of Policy. Impact: The bomb bid upheld by Democrats resulted in a decades-long debate on nuclear policies that led to the creation of the 'Atoms-for-Peace' bumper sticker. It was all downhill from there.. Fact: Spoiler alert: The only thing that diminished was the G.O.P.'s credibility on farm policy. Who knew agriculture could be so explosive?.
• Headline: EARNINGS OF I.B.M. SOAR IN 9 MONTHS; This Year's Net Was Up 28% to $49,234,012--Other Corporate Reports LITTON INDUSTRIES Electronic Units Producer Has 130% Rise in Income AMERICAN-HAWAIIAN Ship Operations Continue in Red but Net Profit Is Up Sharply COMPANIES ISSUE EARNINGS FIGURES. Impact: I.B.M.'s soaring earnings paved the way for the tech boom, which eventually led to the rise of social media. Thanks, I.B.M., for giving us the ability to share cat memes worldwide.. Fact: Did you know that I.B.M. stands for 'I Bring Money'? Just kidding, it stands for International Business Machines, but that doesn’t make it any less true!.
• Headline: ERIE PLAN STUDY URGED; Meyner Suggests Traffic Unit Weigh Commuter Idea. Impact: The call for the Erie Plan study sparked a long-lasting debate about public transportation that resulted in more meetings than actual improvements. It’s like they were trying to win a trophy for 'Most Meetings Held Without Action'.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing commuters love more than public transport is complaining about it. It's basically a sport at this point..
• Headline: Mexican Gas to Be Piped Into New England; Approval by F.P.C. Vastly Enlarges Fuel Sources GAS IMPORT DEAL APPROVED BY F.P.C.. Impact: The approval of piping Mexican gas into New England initiated the great 'Gas Wars' of the late 20th century, where fuel sources became the ultimate bragging rights at dinner parties.. Fact: Did you know that this deal was so groundbreaking that it made everyone forget about the time we thought 'Little Big Inch' was a children's book?.
• Headline: MERRILL MILLIONS LEFT TO CHARITIES; Trust Set Up to Get 10% of Brokerage Firm Profits MERRILL MILLIONS LEFT TO CHARITIES. Impact: Merrill's decision to leave millions to charities sparked a philanthropic frenzy, leading to the establishment of countless foundations. Now everyone thinks they're a saint for donating to their cousin's GoFundMe.. Fact: Did you know that when you leave money to charity, it’s like saying, 'I don't want this to go to waste, but I also don’t want to deal with it myself'?.
• Headline: ON RADIO. Impact: The radio series on congressional election contests created a new genre of political commentary that later inspired the creation of reality TV. Because, of course, politics needed more drama.. Fact: Fun fact: Listening to political radio is like watching paint dry, except the paint is screaming at you about how awful the other color is..