FEBRUARY 20, 1960

Full News Archive

• Headline: Triborough Units Toll Record in 1959. Impact: The record toll payments led to an unexpected surge in traffic, convincing future generations that sitting in traffic was the best way to bond with family. This eventually resulted in the invention of the car karaoke system, which is now a staple in all vehicles.. Fact: In 1959, people actually thought paying tolls was a fun way to support infrastructure! Imagine that kind of optimism today!.
• Headline: Expansion of Chief of Colleges Position. Impact: The expansion of the Chief of Colleges role eventually snowballed into the creation of countless bureaucratic positions in higher education, leading to the invention of the term 'administrative bloat'.. Fact: They say those who can't do, teach. But those who can't teach, get promoted to the Chief of Colleges. What a career path!.
• Headline: 42nd Anniversary of Army Corps at Camp Kilmer. Impact: The 42nd anniversary celebration of the Army Corps led to an increased interest in military history, inadvertently inspiring a generation to start collecting vintage army memorabilia, which is now a booming underground market.. Fact: The Army Corps has been around so long that their anniversary parties are basically just reunions for grumpy old men in uniform..
• Headline: DERTHICK CALLS U.S. SCHOOLS BEST; Rebuts Rickover's Criticism and Denies Need to Copy Soviet Education Plan. Impact: Derthick's proclamation about U.S. schools being the best ignited a debate that would last for decades, unintentionally leading to a wave of standardized testing that still haunts students today. Thanks, Mr. Derthick!. Fact: Critics say the U.S. education system is like a buffet: everyone gets to pick what they want, but no one leaves satisfied..
• Headline: WAGNER UPHOLDS SEWER CONTRACT; Says Bidding Form Did Not Require Cincotti to List Crime Conviction WAGNER UPHOLDS SEWER CONTRACT. Impact: Wagner's decision on the sewer contract inadvertently established the precedent for future politicians to ignore questionable backgrounds, which ultimately contributed to the rise of 'the swamp' in Washington.. Fact: In the world of sewer contracts, it's not just the pipes that are dirty!.
• Headline: West's Big Three Bar Use Of East Germans' Passes; WEST'S BIG THREE BAR EAST PASSES. Impact: The Big Three's refusal to accept East German passes led to a series of diplomatic snubs that set the stage for decades of East-West tensions, ultimately inspiring a hit song about walls and separation.. Fact: Who knew that a few bureaucratic passes could lead to a Cold War? Guess they really should have just let everyone through the gate..
• Headline: SPELLMAN CITED AS 'BIG BROTHER'; Eisenhower Awards Scroll for 1960 -- Cardinal Offers Best Wishes for Trip. Impact: Spellman's 'Big Brother' title inadvertently inspired a wave of reality TV shows in the future, where everyone could be a 'Big Brother' in their living rooms, leading to an era of surveillance and 'keeping up with the Kardashians'.. Fact: Being named 'Big Brother' in the 60s was probably a lot less stressful than it is now—no cameras in your face, just a nice luncheon!.
• Headline: LANDLORD BACK ON 300 VIOLATIONS; Appears in Housing Court 2d Time in Week -- Charge in Assault Reduced. Impact: The landlord's appearance in housing court for violations set a precedent for tenant rights movements, eventually leading to legislation that made it harder for landlords to ignore complaints. Thanks for that little push!. Fact: In housing court, the only thing scarier than a landlord is the fine print in your lease agreement..
• Headline: REHEARING IS ASKED ON EDISON RATE RISE. Impact: The call for a rehearing on Edison rate rises sparked widespread public outcry, eventually leading to the establishment of consumer protection agencies, which now exist solely to ensure you don't pay for your neighbor's air conditioning.. Fact: Arguing about utility rates has been a national pastime long before social media made it possible to do so online!.