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 June 10, 1978
Full News Archive
- Headline: Tarkanian Defends Against NCAA Allegations. Impact: If Tarkanian had actually been found guilty, college basketball might have transformed into a competitive knitting league by now, where players knit while dribbling. Talk about a real game changer.. Fact: Did you know that Tarkanian's hairstyle was almost as famous as his coaching? It’s said that his hair alone could have won a national championship..
- Headline: Israeli Commandos Target Guerrilla Base. Impact: The successful raid on the guerrilla base led to a series of retaliatory strikes that eventually inspired a new genre of action movies, where commandos inexplicably defeat armies of villains single-handedly – cue the explosion sound effects!. Fact: Fun fact: Commandos are known for their stealth and precision, but in movies, they’re often just known for their ability to never run out of ammunition..
- Headline: Stratford Festival's 'The Winter's Tale'. Impact: The revival of 'The Winter's Tale' sparked a massive resurgence in interest for Shakespeare, leading to an unexpected spike in the purchase of ruffled collars and quills – and, of course, the eventual rise of hipster Shakespearean cafes.. Fact: Did you know that 'The Winter’s Tale' features a character named Autolycus, who is often considered the original con artist? Modern-day influencers could take notes!.
- Headline: Moscow Piano Competition: Strong Nerves Are the Key. Impact: Jerome Malry's participation in the competition inspired a generation of plumbers to take up piano, leading to a bizarre trend where toilet humor became the new classical music.. Fact: Fun fact: If you think playing the piano is tough, try fixing a leaky sink while simultaneously performing a sonata. It’s a real showstopper!.
- Headline: Dyson Proposes Limit on Number Of Public Employees in the State. Impact: Dyson's proposals for limiting public employees could have led to a dystopian future where only 3% of the population worked, and the rest spent their days binge-watching reality TV and critiquing public policy from their couches.. Fact: Did you know that limiting public employees could lead to more time for coffee breaks? Because who wouldn’t want to spend more time discussing the latest gossip over a cup of joe?.
- Headline: Repeat Passengers (One Has Flown 63 Times) Encourage Concorde's Operators Despite Current Losses. Impact: The encouragement of repeat passengers for the Concorde led to a bizarre loyalty program where repeat fliers were rewarded with complimentary earplugs for the sonic booms – truly the height of luxury travel.. Fact: Did you know that flying on the Concorde was like being in a time machine? You could land in Europe before you even finished your in-flight peanuts!.
- Headline: The Fitness of a Good Leather Chair. Impact: As more people began jogging, the demand for fancy athletic gear exploded, leading to the now-ubiquitous trend of wearing workout clothes while doing absolutely nothing athletic – a true victory for couch potatoes everywhere.. Fact: Fun fact: Jogging has been shown to increase happiness levels, but only if you can outrun your existential dread..
- Headline: The Return of Prepaid Medicine. Impact: The push for prepaid medicine could have resulted in a world where everyone has a medical subscription, much like Netflix, only with less binge-watching and more 'binge-waiting' in waiting rooms.. Fact: Did you know that prepaid medicine could also lead to some wild medical dramas where doctors are literally competing for your subscription dollars? ‘Grey’s Anatomy: The Subscription Wars’ could be a hit!.
- Headline: For a Total Ban on Chemical Weapons. Impact: The call for a total ban on chemical weapons led to an unexpected culinary revolution, where chefs began experimenting with flavors that were deemed 'totally chemical-free,' resulting in some truly bizarre dishes.. Fact: Did you know that there’s a fine line between chemical warfare and a bad chemistry experiment in your kitchen? Just ask anyone who tried to cook with expired spices!.
- Headline: Ford Orders Recall Of 1.5 Million Pintos For Safety Changes. Impact: Ford's recall of Pintos led to a national obsession with car safety, ultimately resulting in the creation of bumper stickers that read 'My Other Car is a Safer Model,' which caused a spike in sarcasm-related injuries.. Fact: Did you know that the Pinto’s design was so infamous that it inspired a whole generation of automotive safety campaigns, reminding us that sometimes, it’s better to just walk?.
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)