MARCH 17, 1985

Full News Archive

• Headline: Prospects of Currency Intervention. Impact: By not intervening in the currency markets, the dollar's fluctuations led to an unforeseen spike in the popularity of foreign vacations. Suddenly, every American wanted to see if their savings could buy them a latte in Paris or a taco in Tijuana.. Fact: If the dollar was a person, it would have serious mood swings. One minute it's high and mighty, the next it's down in the dumps, all while we sit here wondering if we can afford that extra guacamole..
• Headline: Ordering Books Over the Telephone. Impact: The invention of ordering books over the phone set off a chain reaction leading to the rise of online shopping, which eventually birthed the concept of impulse buying in pajamas. You can thank that bookshop for all those late-night Amazon sprees!. Fact: Ordering books over the phone was revolutionary, until someone realized it was a lot easier to just text a friend and ask for recommendations instead..
• Headline: STUDENTS WEIGH THEIR OPTIONS. Impact: Heather Campbell's comments about Harvard sparked a wave of skepticism towards prestigious schools, which eventually led to the rise of online courses. Someday, your cat might earn a degree in philosophy from Harvard just by watching Zoom lectures.. Fact: Harvard's motto might as well be 'Come for the education, stay for the crippling student debt!'.
• Headline: DINING OUT; IN RINGOES, IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY. Impact: The cozy restaurant in Ringoes became a local sensation, inspiring a trend where every small town believed they could open a 'farm-to-table' restaurant, despite the nearest farm being 100 miles away. Because who doesn’t want to pay $30 for a carrot?. Fact: Dining out in a farmhouse sounds charming until you realize the 'rustic decor' is just the owner's collection of vintage tractor parts..
• Headline: DRUG CENTER AWAITS RULING. Impact: The delay in the drug center expansion led to a backlog of treatment that would ultimately result in a nationwide shortage of sober living facilities, which later inspired countless sitcoms about recovery houses full of quirky characters.. Fact: When it comes to drug treatment facilities, the only thing more complicated than the bureaucracy is the paperwork to get a parking spot..
• Headline: PROSPECTS; Japan's Autos: A Calm View. Impact: The fear of Japanese cars taking over American garages led to a resurgence in muscle car culture, which in turn sparked the ongoing debate over the best car to scream at during rush hour traffic. Spoiler: It’s always the other driver.. Fact: If you ever wondered why American auto workers are so jittery, it's because they were trained to fear small, efficient vehicles. It's like being afraid of a really well-behaved cat..
• Headline: GARDENING; OF SHAMROCKS AND POTATOES. Impact: The discussion of shamrocks and potatoes on St. Patrick's Day inadvertently led to the popularization of themed food and drink pairings, resulting in a generation of people thinking they could combine anything with green beer. Thanks for that!. Fact: Shamrocks are to St. Patrick's Day what pumpkin spice is to fall: completely overrated but somehow essential to the celebration..