Verified invention milestones and practical breakthroughs associated with the year.
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HEADLINES ON May 12, 1978
Full News Archive
- Headline: MacPhail's Warning on Betting Practices. Impact: As players heed the warning, the betting industry shifts to more clandestine methods. This leads to the rise of underground gambling rings, which eventually inspires the plot of a blockbuster heist movie in 2025. Who knew a simple warning could lead to cinematic glory?. Fact: In a world where players could bet freely, the phrase 'double or nothing' might have been replaced with 'triple or nothing,' leading to a very confusing game of poker!.
- Headline: Levitt's Exclusion from Fiscal Meeting. Impact: Levitt's shock ripples through the political landscape, causing a series of meetings to be held on who gets invited to what. This eventually leads to the establishment of the 'VIP Club for Important People' where everyone is shocked at the lack of invitations.. Fact: Being shocked in politics is a prerequisite for a successful career. Just ask anyone who's ever run for office!.
- Headline: Dance. Sweet Games Performance Highlights. Impact: This performance sparks a new trend where every theater production must include interpretive dance. By 2030, even board meetings will feature a dramatic dance-off to settle disputes.. Fact: In the world of dance, 'sweet games' might just refer to the number of foot injuries incurred during a single performance!.
- Headline: New York Sees Record Tourism. Impact: The influx of tourists leads to an unexpected boom in souvenir shops selling 'I Love NY' shirts. This later inspires a citywide competition for the most absurd souvenir, culminating in a giant foam Statue of Liberty.. Fact: If every tourist spent $1.6 billion, New Yorkers probably spent that much just trying to avoid Times Square!.
- Headline: SENATE PANEL IN TIE ON VOTE TO THWART MIDEAST JET SALES. Impact: The tie vote creates a rift that leads to an underground jet-selling black market. By 2025, this market is so robust that it fuels the plot of a new spy thriller, making senators question their life choices.. Fact: Senate ties are more common than you think, much like the number of times someone has said, 'We'll get back to you on that.'.
- Headline: Jet Deal Still in the Balance. Impact: As the deal hangs in the balance, a faction of jet enthusiasts forms a support group called 'Jet Setters Anonymous,' which ultimately leads to a national day of mourning for lost jet deals.. Fact: The term 'in the balance' originated from politicians trying to decide the fate of snack options during meetings..
- Headline: 2 Legislators to Run 2‐Mile Race to Prove Point. Impact: The race quickly becomes a viral sensation, leading to a nationwide trend of politicians engaging in absurd physical challenges, like tug-of-war over budget cuts.. Fact: If only politicians ran as fast as they run their mouths, we’d have the fastest legislative sessions in history!.
- Headline: Pekirig Accuses Soviet Forces Of a Raid on Manchurian Border. Impact: The accusation leads to a tense standoff that eventually sparks a series of diplomatic negotiations, which by 1985 result in the first-ever international board game tournament to settle disputes.. Fact: Diplomacy is a lot like a game of chess; if you take too long to make a move, someone might just knock over the pieces in frustration..
Wall Street Time Machine
WMT
Walmart
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $7,945,492 today (7945.5x return)
INTC
Intel
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $423,037 today (423.0x return)