APRIL 17, 1995

Full News Archive

• Headline: Discover Glendalough's Medieval Heritage. Impact: The medieval beacon's light sparked a series of events leading to the invention of the flashlight. If only the poor knights had known they could just buy batteries instead of climbing towers.. Fact: The term 'beacon' comes from the Old English 'beacen', meaning 'sign'—which is ironic, considering how many people have ignored those signs on the roads..
• Headline: The Heart of Ireland's Equestrian Culture. Impact: The passion for horses in Kildare led to an uptick in horse-themed memes, changing the way the internet communicates about equestrian life forever. Thank you, equine influencers.. Fact: The phrase 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink' is actually an early warning about the futility of trying to convince anyone to go vegan..
• Headline: Where Normans Left Their Mark. Impact: The Normans' mark on Ireland created a new niche for historians—those who would spend their lives arguing over whether the Normans were more like the cool kids or the bullies in school.. Fact: Norman architecture was so influential that it inspired everything from castles to, well, the occasional bad reality show about medieval life..
• Headline: VIEWPOINT; Less Waste, More Profit. Impact: The corporate battle between profit and sustainability led to the invention of the recycling bin—something that still confuses people, as they often just use it to throw out their empty coffee cups.. Fact: The phrase 'less waste, more profit' is often used by companies that consider their trash can as a mere suggestion box for better ideas..
• Headline: SOAPBOX; A Survival Kit. Impact: The survival kit for seniors sparked a global trend of 'survivalist' kits, leading to a sharp rise in the number of people who think they can survive the apocalypse with nothing more than a baseball bat and some granola bars.. Fact: Senior citizens have been fashioning their own survival kits for years—mostly consisting of cat food and a lifetime supply of coupons..
• Headline: HOME CLINIC; Repairing the Signs of Wear on Lawn Mowers Large and Small. Impact: The spring lawn mower maintenance ritual has led to a rise in DIY home improvement shows, where people hilariously underestimate the complexity of lawn care, resulting in more brown patches than green.. Fact: Lawn mowers were first invented in 1830. Apparently, someone decided that grass should not only be cut but also styled, leading us to today's lawn care obsession..
• Headline: After Decline, Crimes Involving Bias Are Reported to Be Surging Again. Impact: The surge in bias crimes led to a wave of new legislation that was as effective as using a band-aid on a broken leg—lots of effort, but still no real solution.. Fact: The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to combat hatred and prejudice. The irony? Their work still feels as relevant as ever, proving that some things never change..