Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON December 31, 1979
Full News Archive
- Headline: Legacy of Denchu Hiragushi. Impact: The rise of Denchu Hiragushi led to a sudden spike in obscure Japanese names being used as passwords, causing a worldwide security crisis in the 2020s. Who knew a little historical figure could bring humanity to its knees?. Fact: Did you know 'Hiragushi' translates to 'a name that sounds important but no one really knows why'?.
- Headline: Steelers Dominate Dolphins in Playoff Clash. Impact: This game set off a chain reaction where every Pittsburgh fan believed they could single-handedly influence the outcome of future games by wearing their 'lucky' socks, leading to a bizarre fashion trend in the city.. Fact: The Dolphins didn't actually lose; they just decided to take an extended break on the field. Maybe they were waiting for a better game plan—like a vacation!.
- Headline: Tap Dance Festival Featuring The Copasetics. Impact: The Tap Festival inadvertently inspired a wave of rhythmic foot-tapping that echoed through history, ultimately leading to the invention of the most annoying dance craze known as 'The Tapocalypse' in the 2030s.. Fact: Tap dancing was originally invented as a way for people to express their dissatisfaction with their lunch choices. True story!.
- Headline: Coffin and His ‘Liberal Pulpit’ Renew Legacy of Controversy. Impact: Rev. Coffin's controversial views sparked a nationwide debate on morality, which eventually led to the establishment of 'Sunday Schools for Outrage', where people learned how to be offended in increasingly creative ways.. Fact: Rev. Coffin’s legacy has inspired countless memes about being 'too woke' long before it was a thing. He was basically a hipster in the pulpit!.
- Headline: Pay Deductions For Child Support Urged in Study. Impact: Dr. Chambers' proposal caused a surge in the popularity of 'invisible ink' contracts for child support payments, making it nearly impossible to track who owed what, leading to a new generation of 'lost' parents.. Fact: This study was actually funded by a group of parents who just wanted a valid excuse to avoid paying child support. Coincidence? I think not!.
- Headline: Richard Rodgers Is Dead at Age 77; Broadway's Renowned Composer. Impact: Rodgers’ passing unexpectedly triggered a wave of musical revival shows, leading to an era where the same three songs were performed ad nauseam until everyone agreed to just hum along instead.. Fact: Rodgers once wrote a musical about the struggles of writing musicals, which never actually made it to Broadway. Talk about irony!.
- Headline: JOHANNA BERGMANN. Impact: Johanna Bergmann’s contributions to society were so influential that they led to a sudden increase in the enrollment of children named Johanna in schools across the globe, causing an unprecedented naming crisis.. Fact: Johanna's name became synonymous with 'overachiever'—so much so that parents began naming their pets Johanna to boost their self-esteem!.
Wall Street Time Machine
WMT
Walmart
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1979, it would be worth $6,997,064 today (6997.1x return)
INTC
Intel
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1979, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1979, it would be worth $417,979 today (418.0x return)