JULY 23, 1959

Full News Archive

• Headline: Thruway Profit Surge Through Higher Tolls. Impact: By raising tolls, the Thruway Authority inadvertently sparked the 'Great Toll Revolt of 1965', where motorists banded together to form a 'Toll-Free Zone', leading to an underground economy of carpooling and hitchhiking that would eventually inspire modern rideshare apps. Thanks, Thruway!. Fact: The profit from tolls was so high, they considered giving out 'Frequent Flyer' style cards for drivers. Because who wouldn’t want to earn points for paying to drive on a road?.
• Headline: Tragic Death of Cuban National in Jail. Impact: The tragic death of Gomez Ochoa set off a series of diplomatic tensions that led to the creation of the 'International Jail Reform Coalition', which somehow still hasn't managed to reform a single jail.. Fact: In the world of jails, 'better conditions' is the most common oxymoron you'll ever encounter..
• Headline: Impact of Strike on U.S. Tax Revenue. Impact: The strike's economic impact led to a nationwide obsession with productivity, birthing the 'Occupy Your Desk' movement, where workers were encouraged to literally live at their jobs—thank you, U.S. economy!. Fact: If you ever feel bad about a strike, remember: the only thing worse than losing $45 million a week is losing your sanity in the office..
• Headline: 60 SAFE AS PLANE LOSES GEAR HERE; 2 Wheels Come Off DC-7B After Landing at Idlewild 60 Are Safe as Airliner Loses 2 Wheels in Landing at Idlewild. Impact: The DC-7B mishap inspired a new regulation that required pilots to perform a 'Wheel Check Dance' before landing—because why not add a little flair to aviation safety?. Fact: The mechanics obliterating the airline's name post-incident was the first case of 'brand erasure'—the original cancel culture!.
• Headline: Short Hills Fiancee Vanishes After Trip to Newark Airport; Executive's Daughter, 21, Last Seen on Ramp--Her Car Is Found FIANCEE VANISHES IN TRIP TO AIRPORT. Impact: The mysterious disappearance of the fiancée led to a true-crime podcasting boom decades later—because who doesn't love a good 'Where'd She Go?' story?. Fact: If you ever think you’re having a bad day, remember that this executive's daughter went missing after a trip to the airport. Talk about a real 'flight risk'..
• Headline: EISENHOWER GIVES WHEAT VOTE VIEW; Says Farmers Have 'Sorry Choice' in Referendum on Controls Today. Impact: Eisenhower's comments on wheat farming led to an unexpected surge in hipster farmers growing 'artisanal' wheat, which resulted in a gluten-free revolution. Thanks for that, Ike!. Fact: Eisenhower’s idea of a ‘sorry choice’ was probably the same as the average person trying to choose a breakfast cereal in the gluten-free aisle..
• Headline: JERSEY COURT BARS BIAS AT 2 PROJECTS. Impact: The anti-bias ruling sparked nationwide debates about housing equality, leading to the creation of the 'Real Estate Reality Show' genre, where buyers compete for homes based on absolutely arbitrary standards.. Fact: In the world of housing, 'bias' is just a fancy term for 'not my type'..
• Headline: GUATEMALA BLAMES LEFTISTS IN BLASTS. Impact: The Guatemalan government's blame on leftists for the blasts created a precedent for finger-pointing that still thrives today in politics; it's like a never-ending game of 'Hot Potato' but with accusations.. Fact: In Guatemala, 'leftist' is just another word for 'someone who disagrees with me'—very scientific!.
• Headline: CHARTER CHANGE ASKED; Britain Favors U. N. Action to Revise Document. Impact: Britain's call for a Charter change led to a series of U.N. meetings that ultimately decided that the best way to change anything is to make it take longer than a decade. Bravo!. Fact: Under Sec Lansdowne probably suggested the revision during a tea break—because nothing says 'serious diplomacy' like crumpets..