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 October 13, 1985
Full News Archive
- Headline: Top Jobs for the Next Decade. Impact: The Bureau of Labor Statistics inadvertently set off a chain reaction of job-hunting memes and motivational quotes, leading to an influx of inspirational posters in office break rooms across the nation. This eventually resulted in the rise of 'adulting' classes and the 'Oh, I just got a new job!' Instagram posts that plague our feeds today.. Fact: In the early 2000s, job security was considered a myth, much like the existence of unicorns or the sincerity of a politician's campaign promises..
- Headline: Elderly Alcohol Abuse Awareness. Impact: As elderly alcohol problems grew, a secret society of non-alcoholic wine producers was formed, determined to make their mark in the beverage industry. Their unexpected rise increased the wine industry's focus on non-alcoholic options, leading to awkward family gatherings where everyone pretended to enjoy grape juice.. Fact: Studies show that while a glass of wine can be calming, a second glass can lead to family feuds—especially during Monopoly night..
- Headline: BOXER HAS COLLEGE CHEERING HIM ON. Impact: The pep band's fight song played during the boxing match led to a bizarre trend where sports teams started adopting fight songs for non-fighting sports, creating an era of unintentionally hilarious moments in baseball and golf.. Fact: Did you know that sports pep bands are basically the cheerleaders of the musical world? They bring the hype while the athletes bring the 'who cares?'.
- Headline: REGIONAL JOB ROUNDUP; SOUTHWEST. Impact: The oil slump led to a series of DIY oil rigs popping up in backyards, as jobless Texans, Louisianans, and Oklahomans sought to strike it rich. Spoiler alert: they mostly just struck oil stains on their driveways.. Fact: Unemployment rates can be so high that even the state bird of Louisiana, the pelican, started reconsidering its career choices..
- Headline: LILCO AND GLORIA: WHO WILL PAY FOR THE STORM'S DESTRUCTION. Impact: The storm's aftermath caused a ripple effect where everyone suddenly became an expert in emergency preparedness, leading to the popularization of survival kits that now include everything from gluten-free snacks to artisanal hand sanitizer.. Fact: Hurricane Gloria might've been destructive, but it also taught us that 'storm preparedness' is just code for 'buy a lot of toilet paper, you never know.'.
- Headline: HOT-LINE SERVICE FOR MEN OFFERED. Impact: The hot-line service for men opened a floodgate of emotional discussions, resulting in a decline in bar fights and an increase in poetry readings in local pubs. Who knew vulnerability could lead to such a cultural shift?. Fact: Men confiding in each other about their feelings is as rare as finding a unicorn, especially if the beer is flowing..
- Headline: HELP FOR PIN OAKS. Impact: Deputy Mayor Miller's quest to save the pin oaks led to an unexpected rise in tree-hugging activism, sparking debates on social media about how trees have feelings too. Spoiler: they don't.. Fact: Pin oaks, like teenagers, can be stubborn and resistant to change. They're just waiting for the right moment to 'leaf' you hanging..
- Headline: STUDY SEEKS WAYS TO UNCLOG ROADS. Impact: The end of toll collections on the Connecticut Turnpike sparked a movement where drivers suddenly thought they could just 'drive without paying.' This led to a surge in road rage incidents that would eventually inspire reality TV series.. Fact: Traffic jams are just nature's way of telling you that you should reconsider your life choices—including your route to work..
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1985, it would be worth $246,803 today (246.8x return)
MCD
McDonald's
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1985, it would be worth $242,284 today (242.3x return)
AAPL
Apple
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1985, it would be worth $2,853,286 today (2853.3x return)