MARCH 9, 1997

Full News Archive

• Headline: Voices For Those Lost To Disease. Impact: The early advocacy for ALS patients' communication tools eventually led to the invention of voice assistants. Thanks, Joan, for setting us on a path to talk to our toasters.. Fact: Did you know that ALS was first described in 1869? And yet, here we are, still figuring out how to let patients express themselves in 1996. Progress, am I right?.
• Headline: Dramatic Drop in New Jersey Crime Rates. Impact: The dramatic drop in crime rates led to a boom in reality TV shows about crime-solving. Thanks to this headline, we now have more shows about criminals than actual criminals. Who knew lowering crime could be so profitable?. Fact: In 1996, crime rates were decreasing faster than my enthusiasm for Monday mornings. But let’s be real, crime never really took a permanent vacation..
• Headline: Olympia Trails Accepts NJ Transit Tickets. Impact: By honoring bus tickets, Olympia Trails accidentally created a new trend of companies trying to bribe customers with token gestures. Fast forward to today: 'Buy one coffee, get a free motivational quote!'. Fact: Did you know that bus companies have a long history of confusing their customers? That's why they often run on a schedule... of suggestions!.
• Headline: Lost Without a Screen: the Fate of 'Orphan' Films. Impact: The struggle of 'orphan' films led to the rise of indie filmmakers who decided to make even weirder films that are still struggling to find an audience. Thanks, Hollywood, for making art that confuses even the artists!. Fact: Fun fact: 'Orphan' films are sometimes also called 'lost films'—and much like my enthusiasm for 90s cinema, they're often hard to find..
• Headline: Soul-Satisfying Favorites in Italian Fare. Impact: Richard J. Scholem's restaurant reviews paved the way for food bloggers and Instagram influencers to make a living by taking pictures of their lunches. Thanks, Richard, for teaching us that food photography is a valid career!. Fact: Did you know that the best reviews are often the ones that make you question your life choices? Just like that time I tried to recreate a fancy dish from a restaurant review..
• Headline: Testing Younger Women for Osteoporosis. Impact: The push for testing younger women for osteoporosis eventually led to more awareness, which is great! But it also resulted in more people Googling their symptoms and panicking over their morning coffee. Thanks, medical advancements!. Fact: Did you know that osteoporosis is often called the 'silent thief'? It's like a ninja that sneaks in when you’re not looking, stealing your bone density..
• Headline: A Walk in the Woods Brings New Shades of Understanding. Impact: Pete Bodo's new understanding of trees led to a nationwide trend of 'tree-hugging' movements. Who knew a walk in the woods could lead to so many people becoming environmentalists and also very awkward at parties?. Fact: Did you know that trees can communicate with each other? It’s a good thing they can’t text, or we’d all be getting unsolicited advice on how to branch out..