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 December 2, 1966
Full News Archive
- Headline: Capture of Terrorist Suspect in Caracas. Impact: The capture of Gonzalez Alcala sparked a global game of hot potato where every country suddenly started checking their own shoe stores for hidden explosives, resulting in a worldwide obsession with shoe bomb checks. Who knew footwear could be so dangerous?. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more explosive than a shoe bomb is the debate over whether Crocs should ever be allowed in public? Spoiler: they shouldnβt..
- Headline: Croswell Leads City's Sanitation Reforms. Impact: Croswell's appointment led to a sanitation revolution that caused New Yorkers to start treating public trash cans like they were royal thrones. The city eventually became renowned for its 'clean streets' tourism campaign, which ironically attracted more litterbugs.. Fact: Did you know that the average New Yorker produces about 4.5 pounds of trash per day? Thatβs a lot of potential royal thrones!.
- Headline: Britain's Economic Strategies for Growth. Impact: Britain's economic moves led to a bizarre series of events where tea was replaced by coffee in most cafes, causing several British citizens to mysteriously start wearing berets and discussing existentialism.. Fact: Did you know that coffee was originally banned in England? Imagine how different your morning routine would be if tea was still king!.
- Headline: KIESINGER NAMED BONN CHANCELLOR; SOCIALISTS DIVIDE; New Leaders in West Germany Take Oaths of Office. Impact: Kiesinger's rise to Chancellor resulted in a political drama akin to a soap opera, with plot twists so outrageous that future generations would create a reality show called 'Germany's Got Politics'.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'grand coalition' can also refer to a group of friends trying to agree on what pizza toppings to order? Spoiler: it never ends well..
- Headline: No State Tax Increase in 1967, Travia Predicts; Zaretzki Foes Stymied. Impact: The avoidance of a tax increase sparked a nationwide celebration that led to an influx of wildly extravagant lawn decorations, as citizens felt emboldened to spend their not-so-hard-earned money on inflatable flamingos and unicorns.. Fact: Did you know that the average American household spends about $300 a year on lawn decorations? It's the American dreamβone inflatable at a time!.
- Headline: V-STOL AIRCRAFT BACKED IN STUDY; Report to F.A.A. Predicts Fast Public Acceptance. Impact: The V-STOL aircraft study ignited a fierce rivalry between airlines and ground transport, eventually leading to the invention of 'flying taxis' that could drop you off at the office while you sip your morning coffee. Because, of course, traffic jams weren't frustrating enough!. Fact: Did you know that the first flying car prototype was introduced in 1940? It went about as well as youβd expectβletβs just say it didnβt exactly take off..
- Headline: Las Vegas Reports Howard Hughes Ill At the Desert Inn. Impact: Howard Hughesβ illness led to a media frenzy that resulted in a series of conspiracy theories claiming he was secretly a time traveler who got stuck in Las Vegas due to a casinoβs loyalty program.. Fact: Did you know that Howard Hughes once bought a Las Vegas hotel just to get rid of the 'pesky' guests? Talk about an extreme vacation!.
- Headline: FREUD-BULLITT BOOK ON WILSON ASSAILED. Impact: The critique of the Freud-Bullitt book on Wilson caused a scholarly feud that spiraled into an academic meme war, with historians arguing over who could write the most absurd theory about Wilson's love life.. Fact: Did you know that Freud once famously said, 'Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar'? But historians insist itβs probably not, and that the cigar is an allegory for something much deeper!.
- Headline: JOHNSON SPENDS DAY DOING ROUTINE JOBS. Impact: Johnson's routine day of work became a rallying cry for future politicians to embrace 'doing their job' as a form of performance art, leading to the eventual rise of the Political Circusβa reality show where politicians juggle budgets and spin plates on issues.. Fact: Did you know that in the world of politics, 'routine jobs' often means trying to dodge the press and avoid answering tough questions? Now that's a real circus act!.
- Headline: Market Place:; A Rockefeller And Tax Rise Defensive Issues Large Blocks Active Occidental S.E.C. Report Out Today. Impact: Rockefeller's tax rise defense led to a national debate that somehow ended in a black market for tax loopholes, with citizens trading secrets like they were PokΓ©mon cards. Gotta catch 'em all!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more complex than the U.S. tax code is trying to explain it to someone who just asked, 'Whatβs a 1040 form?'.
Wall Street Time Machine
IBM
IBM
IBM - If you invested $1,000 in 1966, it would be worth $189,590 today (189.6x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1966, it would be worth $1,807,152 today (1807.2x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1966, it would be worth $713,064 today (713.1x return)