MAY 5, 1962

Full News Archive

• Headline: Navy Honors Innovator F D Braddon. Impact: If F D Braddon hadn't developed the gyrocompass, the Navy might still be using compasses made from chicken feathers and string, leading to naval navigators landing in the wrong countries and accidentally starting a global chicken shortage.. Fact: Gyrocompasses: because who needs to navigate accurately when you can just drift around aimlessly?.
• Headline: Western Governors Oppose Guard Reduction Plan. Impact: This criticism caused a ripple effect that eventually led to a nationwide discussion on lumber and guard reduction, resulting in more lumberjacks trying to form a union. Who knew trees had such political sway?. Fact: Fun fact: The lumber industry is the only industry where you can literally say 'I’m just going out to chop some wood' and still sound productive..
• Headline: Valuable Lost Items Discovered in Cabs. Impact: The discovery of these items in cabs led to the invention of the 'lost and found' app, which, ironically, has made it even easier for people to lose their belongings in transit.. Fact: In '61, people still thought it was a good idea to leave valuable items in cabs. Spoiler alert: it wasn't..
• Headline: RUSK GIVES NATO REPORT ON BERLIN, ASKS FOR CAUTION; Urges Encouraging Eased Mood Italy Demurs on Atomic Information Plan. Impact: Rusk's caution led to years of tense negotiations that eventually resulted in the famous Berlin Wall being built, turning real estate into a literal division of East and West. Who knew a wall could spark so much architectural debate?. Fact: The Berlin Wall: proof that sometimes, people really will build barriers instead of just talking it out..
• Headline: Women's Clubs Name President. Impact: The election of V Dougherty led to a chain reaction of women taking leadership roles, eventually leading to the modern-day phenomenon of women running for president. Who would have thought it all started with a club meeting?. Fact: Women’s clubs: where the real power moves happen, one tea party at a time..
• Headline: GUINEA AIR DROP FOUGHT BY DUTCH; Patrols Engage Indonesian Force of 25 Men. Impact: The skirmish over the air drop led to international tensions that resulted in countless subsequent air drops, each one slightly less organized than the last. Who knew 25 men could wreak such havoc?. Fact: Air drops: the original way to win a fight, one parachuting soldier at a time..
• Headline: TERRORISTS TRY TO BURN MOSLEMS; Explode Fuel Truck on Edge of Canyon Above Algiers Homes 1 Dies, 30 Hurt. Impact: This tragic event sparked outrage and led to an increased focus on anti-terrorism efforts worldwide, proving once again that violence begets more violence and a lot of paperwork.. Fact: Terrorism: the only industry that seems to thrive on chaos and confusion, and sadly, it’s a growing market..
• Headline: INDIA SAYS PAKISTAN 'INVENTED TROUBLE'. Impact: This claim led to a long-standing feud that has inspired countless soap operas, and a few actual wars, proving that drama is not only for TV.. Fact: Political disputes: the real reason why people take sides over cricket matches..
• Headline: 4TH A-BLAST FIRED IN NEW U.S. SERIES; Yield Is in Medium Range Soviet Reported Ready for Massive Testing. Impact: This announcement sparked a nuclear arms race that led to the proliferation of ‘duck and cover’ drills in schools, which are still being taught today. Because nothing says education like preparing for total annihilation.. Fact: Duck and cover: the ultimate life hack for surviving nuclear fallout... or just looking ridiculous..
• Headline: Prendergast Warns Democrats On 'Hand-Picked' State Ticket; Charges Wagner and Lehman Dictate on Governor and Senator Says Party Disunity Will Aid Rockefeller. Impact: The warning led to future political campaigns that were even more chaotic, with candidates resorting to increasingly bizarre strategies to gain votes. Because who needs unity when you can have drama?. Fact: Politics: the only place where 'hand-picked' sounds like a gourmet food option rather than a way to choose candidates..