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 November 15, 1959
Full News Archive
- Headline: Wisconsin Cranberries Seized Amid Chicago Ban. Impact: This event set off a chain reaction leading to the rise of underground cranberry smuggling rings, where people would whisper sweet nothings about 'cranberry heists' in hushed tones, creating a bizarre subculture around fruit trafficking.. Fact: Did you know that cranberries can bounce? Yeah, if only the smugglers had known that, they could have just rolled them right past the authorities!.
- Headline: Temple University Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Impact: The festivities sparked a nationwide trend of overly elaborate alumni gatherings, where universities began serving gold-plated hors d'oeuvres and charging alumni for the privilege of reminiscing about their student loans.. Fact: Fun fact: A diamond jubilee is traditionally celebrated after 60 years. So, if Temple U. is celebrating its 75th, what do they call this? A 'slightly overdue jubilee'?.
- Headline: Penn Elects New Medical School Dean. Impact: Prof Nemir's appointment led to a ripple effect of medical schools across the nation scrambling to one-up each other with increasingly bizarre titles for their deans, including 'Grand Chancellor of Health Sciences' and 'Supreme Leader of Medicine'.. Fact: Did you know that the title 'Dean' comes from the Latin word for 'to be in charge'? Because, clearly, thatβs what every student wants to hear while waiting for their grades!.
- Headline: ALCOHOLICS UNIT BEGINS FIFTH YEAR; Mount Carmel Hospital in Paterson Says 60% of Alumni Stay Sober. Impact: The success of this unit inspired a global trend of rehabilitation centers, which eventually led to the creation of rehab-themed reality TV shows, where participants compete to stay sober longer than their couch-bound counterparts.. Fact: It's interesting to note that the recovery rate of 60% is statistically better than most reality shows' viewership ratings, but no one seems to be filming the rehab sessions for ratings!.
- Headline: WEAKENING SEEN IN BRAZIL-U.S. TIE; Deterioration Arising From Nationalism and Criticism Causes Grave Concern. Impact: This deterioration set the stage for decades of diplomatic tension, leading to an entire generation of students being forced to study international relations by reading passive-aggressive tweets instead of textbooks.. Fact: Interestingly, nationalism can often lead to some of the worst misunderstandings, like thinking that 'Brazil nuts' are actual nuts from Brazil. Spoiler alert: They are, but they don't help the situation!.
- Headline: Nizam's Relatives Form Union To Seek Increased Allowances; 600 Dependents Say Rising Costs Make It Hard to Live Without Working. Impact: The formation of this union inspired other royal families to start similar movements, eventually leading to a world where βdependentsβ established unions, and the phrase 'trust fund baby' took on a whole new level of complexity.. Fact: It's fascinating how even royal relatives have to deal with inflation. Who knew that the price of living could be a royal pain in the neck?.
- Headline: TEST REACTOR STARTED; British Device Is Considered Model for Power Plants. Impact: This test reactor catalyzed the nuclear power industry, leading to a future where every sci-fi movie featured a glowing green reactor, inadvertently making 'nuclear meltdown' the hottest party theme of the 21st century.. Fact: Interestingly, this was a time when people thought nuclear energy would solve all our problems. Spoiler: it didnβt turn out to be the magic bullet everyone hoped for. Who would have guessed?.
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $3,433,940 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
MO
Philip Morris
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $23,651,341 today (23651.3x return)