JANUARY 3, 1972

Full News Archive

• Headline: Rising Steel Imports in 1971. Impact: The surge in steel imports led to a clandestine steel cartel forming in the 80s, influencing everything from skyscraper designs to the rise of 'Steel Wars'—a popular but short-lived video game franchise.. Fact: Did you know that while the amount of steel imported was skyrocketing, your grandma was probably still using a metal can opener that was made in the 50s?.
• Headline: Simulated Grenade Discovered in Bronx. Impact: The discovery of a simulated grenade led to an unexpected surge in public interest in bomb disposal, resulting in a short-lived reality show called 'Explosive Personalities'—which only aired one season.. Fact: Did you know that simulated grenades are just like real grenades, but without the pesky problems of blowing things up? Genius!.
• Headline: Soviet Sugar Purchase from Brazil. Impact: This sugary transaction caused a chain reaction that led to the Great Sugar Rush of '73, where every kid in America was suddenly hyperactive and teachers were left to deal with the chaos.. Fact: Did you know that sugar was once considered a luxury good, and now it’s basically the currency in a child's world?.
• Headline: WILLIAM M'MORROW, WROTE SOAP OPERAS. Impact: William M'Morrow's soap operas eventually inspired a new genre of television so dramatic that it led to the creation of the first reality TV show—'Real Housewives of Suburbia.'. Fact: Did you know that soap operas were originally meant to sell soap? Now they just sell drama and questionable life choices..
• Headline: News Analysis. Impact: The diplomatic maneuvers in the Mideast created a loophole for future diplomats to take long vacations disguised as 'relationship-building retreats'—because who doesn't want a free trip?. Fact: Did you know that diplomatic maneuvering often looks suspiciously like the dance moves at a wedding? Just saying..
• Headline: Kennedy Says He Dropped Plan To Block Jackson at Convention. Impact: Kennedy's decision not to block Jackson at the convention led to a series of regrettable hairstyles for both men and women in political circles, a trend that took decades to recover from.. Fact: Did you know that political hairstyles often have more drama than the campaigns themselves? Just look at the 80s!.
• Headline: Nixon Indicates He'll Run, With Agnew on the Ticket. Impact: Nixon's comments on unemployment and wage-price controls set off a series of economic theories that eventually led to the invention of the 'Inflation Dance,' a fun way to cope with rising prices.. Fact: Did you know that wage-price controls are like trying to put a lid on a boiling pot? Spoiler alert: it never ends well..