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 October 15, 1960
Full News Archive
- Headline: Stamford Site Transforms Into Industry Park. Impact: Little did they know that this industrial park would someday be the birthplace of a secret time-traveling organization, leading to a future where coffee cups are filled with self-replenishing caffeine, allowing workaholics to thrive.. Fact: Fun fact: Nothing says 'we're serious about industry' like a park with more concrete than trees..
- Headline: Nixon's Legal Team Announced. Impact: The hiring of Nixon's lawyers led to a future where every politician would consider hiring a legal team as a standard part of their job description, effectively creating the need for a new reality show: 'Politicians and Their Lawyers'.. Fact: Did you know that lawyers are like umbrellas? You only think about them when itβs pouring rain, or when youβre in a political scandal..
- Headline: E.K. MILLS JR. NAMED TO A POST ON F.T.C.. Impact: E.K. Mills Jr.'s appointment would eventually lead to the creation of a fictional character named 'E.K. the Enforcer', who would patrol the streets ensuring fair trade practicesβcomplete with a cape and a giant calculator.. Fact: F.T.C. stands for 'Fair Trade Commission', but it could just as easily stand for 'Fabulous Time for Chaos'!.
- Headline: Mayor Presses National League; Says City Can Build Field by '62; WAGNER PRESSING FOR '62 BALL TEAM. Impact: This insistence on building a ballpark paved the way for a future filled with overpriced hot dogs and fans who believe their team is cursed, all while wearing foam fingers and shouting at the umpires.. Fact: The only thing more inflated than ticket prices at a ballpark is the egos of the players!.
- Headline: NEW ATOM CLOCK BUILT AT HARVARD; Device Uses Hydrogen to Measure Time -- Great Accuracy Is Claimed. Impact: The development of this atomic clock triggered a race to create the most absurdly accurate timekeeping devices, leading to future households arguing over who has the 'most precise' microwave timer.. Fact: This clock is so accurate that if you were to use it to time your coffee brewing, you could end up with a cup thatβs both technically perfect and still tastes like disappointment..
- Headline: PRESIDENT HAILS PRESS; He Calls Accurate Reporting a Bulwark of 'Open Society'. Impact: This statement inadvertently launched a thousand memes about the press being the 'guardians of truth', leading to social media influencers declaring themselves 'modern-day journalists' in an attempt to gain followers.. Fact: In the era of fake news, the only thing more endangered than accurate reporting is the concept of a 'good night's sleep' for journalists..
- Headline: Ratings Indicate the Interest of Audience Declines -- Some Fail to Watch; Many Express Satisfaction That Nixon and Kennedy Have Began 'Slugging'. Impact: The decline in ratings led future politicians to adopt wrestling-style promo battles in debates, transforming democracy into a spectator sport, complete with entrance music and pyrotechnics.. Fact: Nothing screams 'I care about your vote' quite like two candidates exchanging verbal jabs while millions tune in for the drama..
- Headline: CANDIDATES CHIDED; Auto Maker Urges Them to State Views Explicitly. Impact: This public chastising of candidates led to politicians developing a finely-tuned skill for speaking in riddles, making future debates sound more like a game of charades than a discussion of policy.. Fact: In politics, 'state your views explicitly' is just code for 'please stop confusing us with your jargon!'.
- Headline: CASTRO U.N. AIDE DEFECTS TO U.S.; Friend of Premier Charges His Regime Has Built a Police State in Cuba Cuban U.N. Aide Defects to U.S.; Renounces Castro 'Police State'. Impact: This defection would eventually inspire a wave of future defectors who would come to realize that the grass isn't always greener, but sometimes it is more free, leading to an underground network of grapevine rumors.. Fact: Defecting from a regime is like switching brands of toothpaste; it might feel refreshing at first, but it can leave you with a bitter aftertaste..
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)