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 March 20, 1958
Full News Archive
- Headline: Wealth and Marriage: A 1958 Perspective. Impact: Because of this groundbreaking census data, men everywhere started showering their wallets with affection. Who knew love could be bought? This led to an entire generation of romantics believing that a bank statement was the ultimate love letter, ultimately resulting in a bizarre spike in dating apps that allowed users to filter potential partners by credit score.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'money can't buy happiness' was actually coined by someone who was broke? Imagine their surprise when they found out that it was just a bad investment!.
- Headline: Richard William Porter and the Space Age. Impact: Richard William Porterβs work paved the way for future architects, leading to the construction of bizarre buildings that resemble modern art pieces more than functional structures. Thank you, Richard, for giving us the βhow did that get approved?β landmarks we now love to hate.. Fact: Did you know that in the future, people will argue over whether a building is a masterpiece or a monstrosity? Spoiler: theyβll be wrong half the time..
- Headline: Racial Integration in Summer Camps Debated. Impact: The discussions on camp integration led to a chain reaction of summer camps embracing inclusivity. Unfortunately, it also resulted in the rise of overly enthusiastic camp counselors who think they can resolve deep-rooted social issues through trust falls and campfire songs.. Fact: Did you know that campfire songs were actually invented to distract kids from the fact that they were mostly just sitting around in the woods with no Wi-Fi?.
- Headline: Molotov Denounced Again. Impact: Molotovβs consistent denouncement turned him into a historical punching bag, resulting in future politicians learning the art of the βpolitical smackdownββa move still used today that involves lots of gesturing and very little substance.. Fact: Did you know that Molotov cocktails were named after Vyacheslav Molotov, who was a fan of irony? It's like calling a salad 'The Cheeseburger'βit just doesn't quite hit the mark..
- Headline: UTICA 'CLERK' OUSTED; Got 2d City Job After Quitting Police Post Under Fire. Impact: This scandalous little episode in Utica resulted in the community becoming hyper-aware of job ethics, which led to a decade-long reality TV series entitled βAmericaβs Next Top Political Scandal.β Spoiler alert: it was just as riveting as it sounds.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'extra clerk' is just bureaucratic code for 'someone who doesn't really do much but looks busy'? It's like calling a sloth a 'speedy animal'..
- Headline: AUGUST PRIMARY VOTED IN ALBANY; State Conventions Also Set for Month -- Harriman's Approval Indicated. Impact: Harriman's approval during the August primary set off a political chain reaction that led to countless 'justifying my existence' speeches from politicians, ultimately resulting in the rise of the phrase 'Vote for me, Iβm not that bad!' in future elections.. Fact: Did you know that political conventions are just elaborate parties where everyone pretends to like each other? Itβs like a family reunion, but with more shouting and fewer potato salads..
- Headline: Prosecutor Loses Appeal. Impact: The upheld conviction of W. Langley paved the way for future prosecutors to be more vigilant. Unfortunately, it also led to a surge in legal jargon that left the average citizen questioning whether they were reading a law book or a sci-fi novel.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more complex than the legal system is trying to explain it to someone who thought βlaw and orderβ was just the name of a TV show?.
- Headline: U. S. May Try Firing An Inflatable Satellite. Impact: The inflatable satellite idea was the precursor to the inflatable furniture craze of the 70s, which led to a bizarre but short-lived trend where people thought they could live in space with a blow-up couch. Spoiler: it didnβt quite work out.. Fact: Did you know that inflatable satellites are basically the same engineering principles used for pool toys? Just think about that next time youβre floating in a kiddie pool..
- Headline: 7th Ave. Stop Lights Being Repaired After Alert Cab Rider Finds a Mix-Up. Impact: The malfunctioning stop lights incident actually catalyzed a revolution in traffic management, leading to the invention of smart traffic lights that now argue with each other to determine which should change first, because why not add a little drama to commuting?. Fact: Did you know that traffic lights originally just flashed colors randomly? It was like a disco party on the streets, minus the fun and plus a lot more honking..
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1958, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1958, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)
MO
Philip Morris
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1958, it would be worth $23,651,359 today (23651.4x return)