MARCH 1, 1984

Full News Archive

• Headline: Shaping Trees: Art Meets Utility. Impact: As suburbanites began to prune their plants into bizarre shapes, a secret society of topiary artists emerged, unwittingly laying the groundwork for modern landscaping competitions that would distract millions from the impending reality TV craze.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'trim the hedges' is often used metaphorically in politics? If only real-life politicians could be shaped into something useful..
• Headline: Legacy on the Pitching Mound. Impact: This heartfelt moment inspired a generation of fathers to toss a baseball with their sons, inadvertently causing a spike in sports injuries and leading to the birth of the phrase 'like father, like son... until one of them needs Tommy John surgery.'. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'pitching mound' could also refer to the pile of excuses that athletes accumulate throughout their careers. Just wait until they start pitching those!.
• Headline: The History of Canterburies in Music. Impact: The revival of the canterbury rack led to the accidental discovery of the 'invisible clutter phenomenon', where people began hoarding more stuff to fill their newly organized spaces, creating a paradox of tidiness.. Fact: Did you know that a canterbury is not just a piece of furniture? It's also where dreams of being organized go to die a slow, painful death under a pile of sheet music..
• Headline: KITCHEN HELP FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED. Impact: The focus on accommodating kitchen designs for the elderly led to a wave of innovations that would eventually transform the culinary world into a friendly battleground for robots and humans, thus beginning the 'Great Kitchen Wars' of the future.. Fact: Fun fact: The phrase 'kitchen help' can mean anything from a helpful gadget to a bewildered grandchild trying to figure out how to operate a microwave. Spoiler alert: it's usually the latter..