MARCH 29, 1990

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic Bronx Club Fire Claims 87 Lives. Impact: The tragic fire sparked a wave of safety regulations across the country, ultimately leading to the establishment of modern fire codes. Ironically, it also inspired a generation of fire-fighting equipment salesmen who would go on to create the world's most boring infomercials.. Fact: Did you know that after this incident, the phrase 'burning the candle at both ends' was taken way too literally by club owners?.
• Headline: Exploring Fantasy in 18th Century Gardens. Impact: The whimsical design of Le Desert de Retz inspired modern-day theme parks, leading to the eventual construction of places like Disneyland. Who knew that a garden could lead to an empire of overpriced churros?. Fact: Fun fact: If you combine the ruins of a Gothic chapel and a Greek temple, you might just get the world's first Instagrammable spot!.
• Headline: Exploring Sculptural Interiors in LA. Impact: The idea of a 'non-city' led to the glorification of urban sprawl, where people could drive for hours only to realize they forgot to buy groceries. Thanks, Michele, for the widespread confusion!. Fact: Los Angeles is so 'non-city' that even the traffic jams have a laid-back vibe, like they're just chilling out in a coffee shop..
• Headline: BUSINESS PEOPLE; Oshkosh Truck Names A New Chief Executive. Impact: The change in leadership at Oshkosh Truck Corporation set off a chain reaction of corporate restructuring, leading to the infamous 'CEO shuffle' - a game where executives play musical chairs with no music and a lot of paperwork.. Fact: Fun fact: John P. Mosling's retirement party was just a giant truck-themed bingo night. You know, to keep it 'on brand.'.
• Headline: Judging Books By Their Covers. Impact: The artistic innovation in book design led to a future where books could distract from their content, thus paving the way for the age of celebrity memoirs and coffee table books that look great but are utterly useless.. Fact: Did you know that some people actually judge books by their covers? Shocking, I know!.
• Headline: CURRENTS; For Those Who Want Beauty Without Bother. Impact: The introduction of low-maintenance aquariums was a game changer, leading to a generation of fish that felt neglected, resulting in a silent uprising where they all just decided to stop swimming in unison.. Fact: Did you know that fish can actually sense when their owners are too lazy to clean their tanks? It’s the ultimate form of aquatic judgment..
• Headline: CURRENTS; Honoring a Prophet In His Own Land. Impact: Celebrating Columbus’ discovery of America inadvertently led to centuries of debates over who really discovered what, creating endless opportunities for historians to argue and for the rest of us to roll our eyes.. Fact: Fun fact: Columbus didn’t actually set out to discover America; he was just looking for a shortcut to India—and got really lost. Classic navigator fail!.