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 October 12, 1977
Full News Archive
- Headline: Major Corporations Arrive in NYC. Impact: This seemingly innocuous welcome led to a chain reaction of corporate takeovers that eventually resulted in the rise of an elite group of business magnates who would later run for office and redefine politics as a game of Monopoly.. Fact: New York City: where corporations are more popular than the mayor and can probably throw a better party too!.
- Headline: PIPE BOMB EXPLODES OUTSIDE MAIN LIBRARY. Impact: The bomb incident heightened security measures around public spaces, inadvertently leading to the invention of the security wand, which would later become a staple in airports—because who doesn't love a good pat-down?. Fact: Libraries: the only place where you can check out a book without fear of being blown up... until now..
- Headline: Members of Inquiry Board Differ On L.I.R.R. Dispute With Unions. Impact: The disagreement over the LIRR dispute not only prolonged the strike but also inspired a series of labor movements that ultimately led to the establishment of nap time provisions in the workplace—because if we can't agree, at least let's sleep on it.. Fact: Nothing screams progress like a labor dispute that takes longer than the average New York commute!.
- Headline: SOVIET SPACECRAFT LANDS AFTER DOCKING FAILURE. Impact: The safe landing of the spacecraft after a docking failure led to increased international space cooperation, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the International Space Station—because nothing says teamwork like sharing a tiny room in zero gravity.. Fact: Docking failures: the universe's way of reminding us that sometimes, even astronauts need a second shot at things..
- Headline: Europe Revives School Debate: Which Students Go to University. Impact: The rekindled debate over education access led to a series of reforms in the education systems across Europe, ultimately creating a class of overly qualified baristas and Uber drivers—because who needs a degree when you have experience in customer service?. Fact: In the end, everyone gets a degree in something... unless you count Instagram as a major..
- Headline: Supreme Court Roundup. Impact: The Supreme Court's decision to set aside the ruling on veterans' preferences opened the floodgates for similar challenges, which would lead to the most confusing game of legal chess in history—because who doesn't love a good legal battle?. Fact: Welcome to the Supreme Court, where every decision is a cliffhanger and the judges are the real reality stars..
- Headline: Connally Terms Record of Carter Poorest I've Seen in My Lifetime'. Impact: Connally's statement became a rallying cry for political opponents, sparking a movement that eventually led to the rise of social media influencers who would later redefine what it means to be 'poor' in the public eye—#Blessed.. Fact: When it comes to politics, nothing says 'I care' like a public opinion poll and a scathing comment..
- Headline: With More Than a Little Bit of Luck. Impact: Chou-Liang Lin's victory at the Queen Sofia competition inspired a whole generation of musicians, leading to a new trend of piano prodigies who would later dominate social media with their 'look at me, I'm playing a sonata' videos.. Fact: At 17, Chou-Liang Lin was already winning competitions while I was still figuring out how to not set my hair on fire with a curling iron. Priorities, right?.
Wall Street Time Machine
WMT
Walmart
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1977, it would be worth $10,678,835 today (10678.8x return)
INTC
Intel
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1977, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1977, it would be worth $414,492 today (414.5x return)