MAY 18, 1957

Full News Archive

• Headline: Innovative Sikorsky Aircraft Debuts. Impact: The Sikorsky craft, once thought a mere passenger vehicle, inspired a future where every kid believes they can fly. This led to the invention of flying skateboards, which, unsurprisingly, resulted in a new wave of injuries and parental lawsuits.. Fact: Did you know that Sikorsky was so confident in his flying machines that he once challenged a pigeon to a race? Spoiler alert: the pigeon won..
• Headline: Teamsters Scandal: Gessert's Fifth Amendment Plea. Impact: Gessert's 71 pleas of the Fifth sparked a nationwide trend of politicians taking the same route when asked about questionable funds. Soon, every politician was ‘pleading the fifth’ like it was a new dance craze.. Fact: Fun fact: The Fifth Amendment was originally designed for mobsters and politicians. It’s their version of a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card..
• Headline: Reviving the Armory Show Legacy. Impact: The return of the 'Armory Show' brought antiques back into vogue, causing hipsters to scour thrift stores for anything resembling a 'vintage' piece, which ironically led to a boom in overpriced junk.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'vintage' now applies to anything older than a week? Welcome to the future of ‘old’ things!.
• Headline: JOSEPH SIEGLER, LAWYER, WAS 67; Juvenile Delinquency Expert as Judge in Essex County Dies--Ex-Legislator Special Master of Court. Impact: Joseph Siegler's death marked the end of an era for juvenile delinquency expertise, inadvertently leading to an increase in reality TV shows about troubled teens. Thanks, Siegler!. Fact: Siegler once said he could handle any delinquent, but apparently, he couldn’t handle time. Time waits for no one, not even experts..
• Headline: SALVATORE AVITABILE, 84; Grand Opera Conductor Dies --Led Memorial for King. Impact: The passing of Salvatore Avitabile left a void in the opera world that would be filled by countless amateur karaoke nights, forever changing the course of music history and our tolerance for off-key singing.. Fact: Did you know that Avitabile once conducted an orchestra with a chicken leg? The chicken leg was not impressed..
• Headline: MOSCOW RESIGNS CITY HOUSING POST; Quits as Executive Director --Two Investigations Into Agency Now Under Way Attended Law School. Impact: Moscow's resignation from the housing post led to a chaotic jumble of housing policies, resulting in the rise of tiny homes as the next big trend. Who knew a resignation could shrink our living spaces?. Fact: Fun fact: Moscow once tried to make housing more affordable by suggesting people just ‘move in with their parents.’.
• Headline: SCHRIFTGIESSER TROTH; Political Analyst to Become Bride of Peter L. Irvine. Impact: Schriftgiesser's engagement sparked a new wave of political analysts thinking they could find love in data. Unfortunately, they only found more spreadsheets.. Fact: Did you know that political analysts are known for having the worst pickup lines? 'Are you an electoral map? Because I can see us together in the future!'.
• Headline: 30-POUND TUREEN WAITS FOR BUYER; China Piece ($1,000) Serves 100--Patterned on Sheik's, It Rests at Tiffany's. Impact: The 30-pound tureen at Tiffany's became a symbol of excess, inspiring a generation to believe that buying large, useless items was a sign of sophistication. Thanks to that tureen, we now have oversized novelty items everywhere.. Fact: Did you know that this tureen was originally intended as a soup bowl? Clearly, they were expecting some very hungry guests..
• Headline: CHARLES WELLER, WELFARE LEADER; Head of World Fellowship, Inc., Dies--Was a Founder of Playground Movement Believer in Brotherhood. Impact: Charles Weller's death marked the decline of the Playground Movement, leading to an era where kids were forced indoors, resulting in the invention of video games and a global obsession with virtual worlds.. Fact: Weller once tried to organize a playground that was just a giant trampoline. The kids loved it until the day gravity became their nemesis..