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 September 6, 1960
Full News Archive
- Headline: Special Commuter Service During PRR Strike. Impact: In a surprising turn of events, the special commuter service sparked a nationwide trend of 'commuter wellness programs.' By 2025, yoga classes were being held on trains, and by 2030, meditation coaches were charging $300 an hour to help you breathe through your commute.. Fact: The average commuter spends about 50 minutes a day in transit. Thatβs like watching a whole season of a TV show every week, but instead of binge-watching, you get to stare at the back of someoneβs head..
- Headline: USAF Officers Rescued from Gulf. Impact: Had those two officers not jumped, the U.S. Air Force would have never invented the 'Parachute Buddy System' β a concept that led to the creation of the buddy cop genre in films. Thanks to their daring, we now have an endless supply of mismatched partners saving the day.. Fact: Parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico is a real gamble. One minute you're soaring through the sky, the next you're hoping that a dolphin doesn't mistake you for a beach ball..
- Headline: G.M. Showcases All New Models at Motorama. Impact: This Motorama event not only introduced new cars but also inadvertently started the yearly tradition of auto shows where people drool over vehicles they canβt afford. By 2023, it evolved into a full-blown spectacle with fashion shows featuring models dressed as cars.. Fact: Motorama was the original place where people learned that car enthusiasts can debate the merits of cup holders for hours. Who knew automotive design could be so riveting?.
- Headline: PRAVDA DENIES TRIP IS FOR PROPAGANDA. Impact: Pravda's denial turned into an art form. By the 1980s, 'Pravda Denial' became a popular term for dodging uncomfortable truths, paving the way for modern-day political spin. Who knew the Soviets were the original influencers?. Fact: Pravda means 'truth' in Russian, which is ironic considering they were about as truthful as a toddler caught with their hand in the cookie jar..
- Headline: POLITICAL UNITY URGED; Senator Church Cites Lack of Action in Congress. Impact: Senator Church's urging of political unity led to a decades-long tradition of political speeches that essentially boil down to, 'We should all just agree on something, anything.' This paved the way for the rise of the phrase 'Can we all just get along?' in 2025.. Fact: Political unity is often likened to herding cats. It sounds good in theory but in practice, itβs mostly chaos and someoneβs probably going to end up stuck in a tree..
- Headline: 'RUNAWAYS' BESET FILM LABOR UNITS; Foreign Production Causes Concern Among Locals of Stage Alliance. Impact: The concern over 'runaway' films triggered the Great Film Migration of the late 20s, where Hollywood tried to repatriate all its film crews from exotic locations back to the U.S. resulting in the invention of the 'Back to the Studio' party. Because who wouldnβt want to party in a soundstage?. Fact: The term 'runaway production' has nothing to do with films escaping from studios. Itβs just a fancy way of saying, 'Weβre shooting somewhere else because itβs cheaper.'.
- Headline: Linde Making Liquid Hydrogen on a Large Scale. Impact: Lindeβs liquid hydrogen production was the first step towards creating the worldβs most over-engineered fireworks. By 2025, backyard BBQs were accompanied by hydrogen-powered rockets that were more dangerous than fun. Thanks, Linde!. Fact: Liquid hydrogen is a cryogenic liquid thatβs colder than your exβs heart. Just donβt try to use it in your next science project unless you want to end up on the news..
- Headline: U.N. Finds Free World Doubled Its Industrial Output in 20 Years. Impact: The U.N. finding led to a global competition for who could produce the most ridiculous industrial output, culminating in the 2021 Olympics for Industry, where countries competed in categories like 'Most Efficient Paper Clip.'. Fact: Doubling industrial output in 20 years sounds impressive until you realize it probably just means twice as many coffee mugs with 'Worldβs Best Boss' printed on them..
- Headline: SOVIET NOTE URGES GERMAN ARMS CURB. Impact: The Soviet note on arms curbs was the first diplomatic hint that led to the 'Arms Race' version of musical chairs. By the 1990s, everyone was just waiting for the music to stop before they took home a nuclear warhead.. Fact: Saying 'no' to arms is like trying to tell a toddler not to touch cookies. Good luck with that..
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1960, it would be worth $3,433,941 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1960, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)