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 December 24, 1990
Full News Archive
- Headline: Calmat Leadership Change Announcement. Impact: When A. Frederick Gerstell took on the additional role of chairman, it sparked a chain reaction in corporate America, leading to the bizarre trend of CEOs piling on job titles like a child at a buffet. Soon after, it became fashionable to have a title longer than the job description itself. Shareholders still wonder what a 'Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and Supreme Overlord of All Things Construction' actually does.. Fact: Did you know that in corporate hierarchies, adding more titles is often just a way to distract from the fact that nobody really knows what's going on?.
- Headline: MTM Entertainment's Potential Sale. Impact: The potential sale of MTM Entertainment opened the floodgates for other struggling media companies to seek buyers, leading to a reality where now even your grandma's knitting podcast is being pitched to venture capitalists. Who knew that knitting could be monetized more than a soap opera starring your cat?. Fact: Fun fact: MTM was originally known for its distinctive logo featuring a mountain lion. Perhaps they should've stuck to that theme—who doesn’t love a good cat video?.
- Headline: Getting the Most For Court Dollars. Impact: The high cost of indoor tennis in New York led to a secret society of tennis players who began playing in abandoned warehouses. This marked the start of an underground tennis culture, complete with black-market rackets and whispered strategies on how to beat the high costs of court time.. Fact: Did you know that the price of court time has increased so much that some players are now considering taking out loans? Welcome to the world of 'Tennis Debt.'.
- Headline: BUSINESS PEOPLE; Calmat Chief Executive Adds Chairman's Post. Impact: The déjà vu of this headline only reinforces the idea that corporate America can't get enough of power consolidation. The ripple effect? A new generation of executives now believes that having multiple titles also means having multiple ways to dodge responsibility.. Fact: Did you know that in corporate speak, 'multi-hat wearing' translates to 'we have no idea who’s in charge'?.
- Headline: TENNIS; King, in Big Upset, Coaches Mayotte. Impact: Billie Jean King's unexpected coaching gig led to a resurgence of older athletes reclaiming their glory days. This trend sparked a global movement where boomers began to dominate sports, resulting in some rather entertaining, if not slightly chaotic, senior tennis championships.. Fact: Did you know Billie Jean King is not just a tennis legend, but also an advocate for gender equality? Talk about serving up more than just aces!.
Wall Street Time Machine
MSFT
Microsoft
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1990, it would be worth $1,285,532 today (1285.5x return)
AAPL
Apple
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1990, it would be worth $1,043,076 today (1043.1x return)