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 February 13, 1962
Full News Archive
- Headline: Calderwood Claims Victory in Fourth Round. Impact: Calderwood's knockout victory not only solidified his position in boxing history but also inadvertently inspired a generation of British youth to take up boxing, leading to an unexpected surge in gym memberships, which eventually resulted in the rise of overly enthusiastic amateur boxing commentators in pubs across the UK.. Fact: Did you know that boxing was once banned in several countries because it was deemed too dangerous? Clearly, they hadn't seen a British pub brawl yet..
- Headline: Ongoing Conflict in Nepal's Southern Region. Impact: The continuation of fighting in Nepal sparked a series of 'let's not go there' travel advisories that inadvertently boosted the popularity of vacationing in places like, oh I don't know, the Maldives? Who knew chaos could be such a great marketing tool?. Fact: Fun fact: Nepal is home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak. So, while fighting breaks out, at least there's somewhere for the tourists to climb and get a better view of the chaos below..
- Headline: OUTPUT GAINS SEEN IN CANADIAN LUMBER. Impact: Canada's record lumber output inadvertently led to a massive increase in DIY home projects, resulting in a nationwide glut of poorly built treehouses and a rise in the number of Canadians who consider themselves 'handy' despite having no idea how to use a hammer.. Fact: Did you know that Canada has more lakes than any other country? Perhaps they should start using lumber to build some bridges between those DIY disasters!.
- Headline: Vice President Elected For Temple Emanu-El. Impact: The election of a new vice president for Temple Emanu-El led to a surprising uptick in synagogue attendance, as congregants were curious about what new policies might come with fresh leadership. Spoiler alert: more potlucks!. Fact: Did you know that becoming a vice president in a temple is a bit like being the vice president of a country? You do all the work but get none of the gloryβexcept maybe a really nice kugel recipe..
- Headline: Europeans Back Rightists. Impact: The backing of rightists in Europe created a domino effect in global politics, leading to the rise of political memes in the digital age as leftists and rightists alike scrambled to make sense of it all, resulting in a cultural phenomenon that we now call 'the internet.'. Fact: Did you know that Algiers has been a hotbed for political turmoil for decades? Yet, somehow, everyone still thinks their vacation photos are the most interesting thing to come out of it..
- Headline: SYRIA IS SEEKING RED BLOCKS HELP; Mission Leaves for Moscow as U.S. Weighs Aid Plea. Impact: Syria's plea for assistance from the Red Bloc led to a series of secretive meetings and backdoor deals that would later inspire a Hollywood blockbuster about international espionage, starring a dashing hero with a penchant for dramatic escapesβbecause why not?. Fact: Did you know that the Cold War was so intense that it made modern-day political debates look like a friendly game of charades? 'Guess the country that wants to undermine democracy!'.
- Headline: SENATORS INSIST ON FULL U-2 STORY; 2 Committees Seek Report on Powers Sister of Pilot Protests Secrecy. Impact: The insistence on uncovering the full U-2 story led to an unprecedented increase in transparency in government, which is a bit like expecting a cat to suddenly start behaving like a dogβgood luck with that!. Fact: Did you know that the U-2 was primarily used for spying? And yet, here we are, still trying to figure out how to keep secrets in the age of social media..
- Headline: Spanish Cardinal Named To Congregation of Rites. Impact: The appointment of Cardinal Larraona to the Congregation of Rites sparked an internal power struggle within the Church, resulting in a series of hilarious 'who wore it better' debates over liturgical attire. Spoiler: the red shoes win every time.. Fact: Did you know that the Congregation of Rites is responsible for overseeing the Church's rituals? Sounds boring, but trust me, it's the holy equivalent of reality TV drama!.
Wall Street Time Machine
MO
Philip Morris
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1962, it would be worth $23,651,354 today (23651.4x return)
DIS
Disney
Disney - If you invested $1,000 in 1962, it would be worth $1,960,745 today (1960.7x return)