FEBRUARY 17, 1994

Full News Archive

• Headline: Shellac's Rich History in Polishing. Impact: The introduction of shellac led to an unexpected increase in furniture appreciation. As people became obsessed with shiny surfaces, they began to overlook the quality of the actual wood. This set off generations of 'style over substance' debates that still rage today, especially among hipsters who think reclaimed wood is the new black.. Fact: Did you know shellac is made from the secretions of the lac bug? So basically, your rich mahogany furniture is just really fancy bug juice. Bon appétit!.
• Headline: Exploring Michelangelo's Retailing Potential. Impact: The idea of Michelangelo in retail sparked a wave of 'artist entrepreneurs,' leading future artists to believe they could sell anything from pizza to socks. Little did they know, this would culminate in an era where everyone thinks they're a creative genius just because they can doodle.. Fact: If Michelangelo had opened a retail store, would it have been called 'The Sistine Shop'? Maybe he could've sold divine-themed merchandise—'Moses mugs' anyone?.
• Headline: Hot Seller: Gear for A Quake. Impact: The Earthquake Outlet's struggle to sell survival gear was pivotal in the rise of the 'prepper' culture, leading to a generation of people hoarding everything from canned beans to vintage maps. Eventually, this culminated in the 2020s, where people were ready for anything—except a global pandemic.. Fact: Did you know the average person spends more on coffee in a year than on actual earthquake survival gear? Priorities, folks!.
• Headline: COMPANY NEWS; Westinghouse Sells Supply Company. Impact: Westinghouse's decision to sell its subsidiary inadvertently triggered a series of mergers and acquisitions that would lead to a corporate culture obsessed with buying and selling. This created today's reality where companies are more like reality TV shows than actual businesses.. Fact: Westinghouse was once a pioneer in the electric industry—now they just play a game of Monopoly with their subsidiaries. Wouldn't it be fun if they had a 'Westinghouse Edition'?.