FEBRUARY 7, 1988

Full News Archive

• Headline: Vacationing on the High Seas in 1988. Impact: This shift towards cruises led to an epidemic of sunburns and questionable cocktail choices, resulting in a spike in sunscreen sales and the invention of the famed 'cruise tan', which has been scientifically linked to midlife crises. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'Let’s set sail!' was originally used by sailors to avoid paying for dinner? Ah, the classics!.
• Headline: M.T.A. ACTS TO EASE PARKING PROBLEMS. Impact: The M.T.A.'s parking improvements inadvertently sparked a nationwide trend of 'creative parking' where people started using their driveways for yoga classes instead of cars, leading to the rise of the urban wellness movement. Fact: Did you know that the first parking garage was built in 1915? It was so revolutionary that it made car owners feel superior to their horse-and-buggy counterparts.
• Headline: DEMOCRATS, IN CONTROL, SHAPE BILLS IN SUFFOLK. Impact: The Democrats' surprising win created a ripple that led to a decade-long debate on whether left-handed or right-handed coffee mugs should be the official county beverage, further complicating local politics. Fact: Did you know that political parties are just like pizza toppings? Everyone has a preference, but some combinations should really be avoided.
• Headline: ANTIQUES; TRACING THE STICKLEY LEGACY. Impact: As collectors flocked to Stickley's designs, it triggered a nationwide shortage of high-quality wood, leading to some absurdly creative furniture alternatives, including chairs made of spaghetti. Fact: Did you know that Gustav Stickley once tried to launch a line of furniture made from clouds? It didn’t take off, but it did inspire a generation of dreamers.
• Headline: GROUPS MAKE WELCOME A RETURNING SPECIES. Impact: The bluebird houses built by various groups caused an unexpected boom in the bluebird population, which then demanded rights to vote in local elections, leading to a quirky movement for avian representation. Fact: Did you know that bluebirds were once considered the unofficial mascots of happy endings? So, in a way, every tiny house built was a tiny step toward a more optimistic future.
• Headline: IN HARTFORD, THE BEST AND WORST OF TIMES. Impact: Hartford's building boom inspired other cities to engage in their own architectural competitions, resulting in increasingly ridiculous skyscraper designs, including one that resembled a giant hotdog. Fact: Did you know that the tallest building in the world was once planned to be a giant pencil? Sadly, it never got past the drawing board, but it did inspire a lot of innovative writing tools.