DECEMBER 22, 1961

Full News Archive

• Headline: Eisenhower Reserves Role in G.O.P. Race. Impact: Eisenhower's refusal to engage in the primaries sparked a chain reaction that resulted in future candidates playing it safe, leading to the rise of uninspired, cookie-cutter politicians who never rocked the boat. Thanks, Ike!. Fact: Did you know Eisenhower was a five-star general? Apparently, that didn't translate to being a five-star candidate handler..
• Headline: Bribery Scandal in Connecticut Uncovered. Impact: This bribery case set off a slippery slope of public distrust in tax agents, leading to the eventual rise of the 'he’s probably lying to you' meme that haunts IRS agents to this day.. Fact: Fun fact: When it comes to taking bribes, tax agents are just like your average politician—only with worse PR!.
• Headline: Nike Zeus Intercepts Test Missile Successfully. Impact: The successful missile interception led to a surge in missile defense funding, eventually paving the way for the most expensive game of catch in history, as nations scrambled to develop their own interception systems.. Fact: Did you know that this test was so successful, it made other countries invest billions in missile defense? Who knew blowing things up could be so profitable?.
• Headline: Boys Towns' Founder Is Honored by Italians. Impact: Honoring Msgr. Carroll-Abbing made Boys Town a global symbol for youth welfare, which ironically led to intense debates on whether the approach should be replicated, resulting in countless 'Boys Town' knock-offs with varying degrees of success.. Fact: Did you know that Boys Town was so influential that even the Italians wanted a piece of the action? Who knew youth welfare could be a global trend?.
• Headline: National Cash Register Names a New Chairman. Impact: The appointment of a new chairman at National Cash Register led to a series of corporate shake-ups, influencing the company's later innovations—which resulted in us now being able to pay with our phones instead of cash. What a world!. Fact: Fun fact: NCR was once so influential that it could have been an acronym for 'National Cash Revolution.'.
• Headline: EXCHANGE URGED TO REVISE SET-UP; Broad Changes Suggested in the Structure of the American Board FIRST REPORT IS ISSUED Levy Committee Calls for Fast Action in Choosing a New President EXCHANGE URGED TO REVISE SET-UP. Impact: The recommendations from the Levy Committee sparked a wave of administrative reforms that inspired countless committees since—many of which have achieved absolutely nothing, proving that bureaucracy is a time-honored tradition.. Fact: Did you know that committees are like a group project where everyone shows up but nobody actually does anything? Welcome to American governance!.
• Headline: A SPACE TRACKER DEVISED BY ARMY; Electro-Optical System Can Follow Objects in Flight. Impact: The development of an electro-optical tracking system made following objects in flight a breeze, inadvertently leading to the eventual creation of drone technology—because spying on people from above is the new normal.. Fact: Did you know that tracking systems like this were the precursor to drones? Big Brother was just warming up!.