Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
HEADLINES ON December 12, 1971
Full News Archive
- Headline: Understanding Periodontal Disease Progression. Impact: The Greater NY Dental Society meeting led to an unexpected global dental health revolution. Who knew that a casual chat about periodontal disease could inspire countless flossing memes and a worldwide fear of cavities? Thanks, dental enthusiasts!. Fact: Did you know that periodontal disease has caused more breakups than bad romantic comedies? Floss, not just for your teeth, but for your love life!.
- Headline: Creation of Bangladesh: A New Nation Emerges. Impact: The creation of Bangladesh set off a cascading effect that led to countless debates about national identity, language, and cultural pride. Little did they know, it would also inspire endless arguments at family gatherings over who gets the last piece of biryani.. Fact: Did you know that Bangladesh's birth was the result of a war? Nothing says βlet's throw a partyβ like a newly formed country emerging from conflict!.
- Headline: MADISON AVE.. Impact: The push for limiting campaign expenditures led to a bizarre future where politicians began to run on platform shoes to look taller instead. Who knew that a simple suggestion could lead to fashion disasters in politics?. Fact: Did you know that in the US, political commercials can cost as much as a small countryβs GDP? And yet, they still canβt buy a sense of humor!.
- Headline: Cambodians Retreat From Hill Near Pnompenh's Defense Line. Impact: The Cambodian retreat from the hill near Phnom Penh sent shockwaves through military strategies worldwide, leading to the invention of the phrase 'strategic retreat'βa euphemism that has since been used by every parent trying to escape a birthday party.. Fact: Did you know that strategic retreats are often just fancy ways of saying 'we're running away'? Itβs all about the rebranding!.
- Headline: Court Action Likely As OTB Prepares For Florida Betting. Impact: OTBβs venture into Florida betting set off a series of legal battles that would eventually inspire a reality TV show about gambling lawyers. Who knew that horse racing and courtroom drama could become a match made in television heaven?. Fact: Did you know that the odds of winning a bet are often better than the odds of finding a parking space at a mall during the holidays? Talk about a gamble!.
- Headline: Nixon's Too LeftβWing For William Loeb. Impact: William Loebβs criticisms of Nixon inadvertently set off a wave of political commentary that would lead to future politicians hiring public relations experts to manage their image. Because nothing says 'trust me' like a carefully curated Instagram account!. Fact: Did you know that the term 'right-wing' was originally used to describe where people sat in the French National Assembly? Now it just describes my uncle's Facebook posts!.
- Headline: Movies. Impact: V. Mature's interview on his career inadvertently inspired a thousand aspiring actors to believe they could also make it big, leading to a world filled with unqualified audition tapes and hopeful dreams. Thanks, V. Mature!. Fact: Did you know that every Hollywood star once faced rejection? Even the greats were told they had βa face for radioβ at some point!.
Wall Street Time Machine
INTC
Intel
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1971, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1971, it would be worth $590,335 today (590.3x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1971, it would be worth $373,578 today (373.6x return)