AUGUST 2, 1959

Full News Archive

• Headline: Johns-Manville Ad Account Transition Insights. Impact: The award of the Johns-Manville ad account led to a series of increasingly bizarre marketing campaigns, including a short-lived 'Asbestos is Our Friend' slogan that confused more than it convinced. This ad campaign would eventually inspire the infamous 'Fried Chicken for Breakfast' movement of the 70s.. Fact: Did you know that advertising agencies once believed that an ad campaign could sell anything? Yes, even things like asbestos. Talk about a hard sell!.
• Headline: Reviving the Majestic Showboat. Impact: Morton Wishengrad's new project reignited a competitive spirit among showboat owners, sparking a bizarre trend where they began to outdo each other with increasingly elaborate shows, leading to the eventual creation of the 'Floating Circus'—a phenomenon that still haunts maritime safety regulations.. Fact: Gossip in the entertainment industry is like a game of telephone. By the time it reaches the audience, it often becomes a completely different story. Just ask any celebrity!.
• Headline: SYSTEM SOUGHT BY CREDIT UNIONS; Bill in House Authorizes Drafting of Plan for Central Structure SYSTEM SOUGHT BY CREDIT UNIONS. Impact: The push for a central credit union structure inadvertently paved the way for future banking apps that would eventually lead to a world where people trust their entire financial lives to a device they also use to watch cat videos.. Fact: Credit unions are like the friendly neighborhood superhero of finance. They’re non-profit, which means they’re more interested in helping you than in charging you extra fees—unlike certain for-profit banks we won't name..
• Headline: FREDERICK BRIGGS. Impact: Fredrick Briggs became an obscure figure whose legacy involved a series of increasingly odd business ventures, ultimately leading to the invention of the self-twirling spaghetti fork, which has yet to catch on for good reason.. Fact: Fredrick W. Briggs? More like 'Fredrick W. Who?' The man had a history as colorful as a box of crayons—but no one seems to remember what he actually did..
• Headline: EUROPE DEBATE URGED; Belgium Against Secretariat on Community Policy. Impact: Belgium's insistence on a parliamentary assembly instead of a secretariat inadvertently contributed to the rise of European bureaucracy, which would later lead to the creation of the 'Committee of Endless Meetings' that plagues us to this day.. Fact: Belgium is famous for its chocolate, waffles, and... endless debates. If only they could sweeten their policies as well as their treats!.
• Headline: NOTRE DAME HONORS 2; Priest and Nun Will Receive Honorary Degrees. Impact: The honorary degrees given to a priest and nun sparked a wave of similar honors across universities, leading to the current trend where receiving a degree has become as easy as writing a heartfelt letter to the administration.. Fact: Did you know that honorary degrees are often awarded to people who never attended the university? It's like a participation trophy but with a fancy robe!.
• Headline: ACCORD EXPECTED ON BOND RATE BILL; Compromise Is Worked Out by House Unit Members and Treasury Chief ACCORD EXPECTED ON BOND RATE BILL. Impact: The compromise on the bond rate bill led to a series of increasingly convoluted financial policies that would ultimately confuse generations of economists, culminating in the creation of the phrase 'it's not rocket science' in reference to economic predictions.. Fact: Compromises in government are like a game of Jenga—one wrong move, and the whole thing comes crashing down. And no one wants to be that guy!.
• Headline: Bursting of 4 Mains Floods Lower Manhattan Areas; 4 BURSTING MAINS FLOOD CITY AREAS. Impact: The flooding caused by the burst mains led to an unexpected rise in demand for waterproof products, which would later evolve into the multi-billion dollar industry of rain gear and umbrellas that never actually keep you dry.. Fact: Lower Manhattan flooding from burst mains is a reminder that even cities have their plumbing problems. Maybe we should start treating our infrastructure like our health—regular check-ups, anyone?.
• Headline: NYLON YARN GIVEN EXPANDING ROLES; Textured Fabrics Invading Fields Once Sewn Up for Spun Materials. Impact: Nylon's rise in textured fabrics paved the way for the bizarre fashion trends of the 80s, where neon and spandex became staples, leading us to question every single photo from that era.. Fact: Nylon is like that overachieving friend who excels at everything. It's strong, elastic, and has been used for everything from stockings to parachutes. Maybe we should all aim to be a little more like nylon!.