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 22, 1973
Full News Archive
- Headline: Vietnam Conflict Orders Not Issued. Impact: If the military had actually received the orders to end the fighting, they might have decided to take up knitting instead. Who knows? A generation of officers could have become master knitters, revolutionizing the craft industry and leading to a peaceful world dominated by cozy sweaters and warm blankets.. Fact: In military communication, 'miscommunication' is often just a fancy term for 'no one bothered to send the memo.'.
- Headline: Pershing Missiles Test Combat Readiness. Impact: Years later, the successful test of these missiles could have led to a dystopian future where everyone just fires missiles at each other for fun, turning warfare into a spectator sport like extreme dodgeball. And the winner gets a trophy!. Fact: If missiles were fired into the ocean today, we might just call it a really expensive way to fish..
- Headline: Only One Side Rejoices. Impact: This peace accord might have created a future where Laos is a hot tourist destination for communists worldwide, leading to unexpected economic booms fueled by souvenir sales of 'I Love Communism' t-shirts.. Fact: In the world of peace negotiations, 'only one side rejoices' is basically code for 'the other side is trying to figure out how to look happy in front of the cameras.'.
- Headline: Antitrust Suit Challenges Mutual Fund Sales Setup. Impact: This antitrust suit could have sparked a revolution in how mutual funds operate, leading to a world where financial institutions are actually transparent instead of resembling a magician's act—now you see your money, now you don't!. Fact: In finance, 'conspiracy' is just another way of saying 'we're all in this together, as long as we don't get caught.'.
- Headline: ‘Morning After’ Contraceptive To Get Approval in Some Cases. Impact: If the morning-after contraceptive had been widely approved earlier, it might have led to a future where emergency contraception became so common that it was served at every fast-food restaurant—'Would you like fries with that Plan B?'. Fact: In the realm of contraceptives, the term 'morning after' could just as easily refer to the feeling you get when you realize you forgot to set your alarm..
- Headline: At Least 15 Killed In Raid on Lebanon. Impact: The raid in Lebanon could have inadvertently caused a ripple effect that led to the creation of a new line of action movies where commando raids are marketed as family-friendly adventures, with the tagline: 'Who said saving the world can't be fun?'. Fact: In military operations, 'surprise' is just a polite way of saying, 'Oops, we didn’t really plan this out, did we?'.
- Headline: HIGH COURT EASES DISTRICTING RUIN FOR LEGISLATURES. Impact: This Supreme Court decision might have led to a future where every state has its own version of a 'choose your own adventure' book, leaving residents to wonder how their districts got so weirdly drawn.. Fact: The Supreme Court: where every decision is just a friendly reminder that democracy is as messy as a toddler with finger paint..
Wall Street Time Machine
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1973, it would be worth $185,625 today (185.6x return)
CVX
Chevron
Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1973, it would be worth $200,926 today (200.9x return)
MO
Philip Morris
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1973, it would be worth $2,433,689 today (2433.7x return)