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 August 14, 1998
Full News Archive
- Headline: Geocities' Landmark Online Privacy Agreement. Impact: This privacy deal may have inadvertently spawned an entire industry of privacy advocates and tech-savvy conspiracy theorists convinced that their toaster is spying on them. Thanks, Geocities! Now we have to install antivirus software on our coffee machines.. Fact: Did you know that Geocities was the original influencer platform? Yes, back when 'followers' meant people you knew in real life and not just strangers on the internet..
- Headline: Woods Sets Record at PGA Championship. Impact: Woods' stellar performance set off a chain reaction of increased golf memberships and a surge in polo shirt sales. Suddenly, every dad in America decided he could swing a club like Tiger—spoiler alert: they couldn't.. Fact: Did you know that before becoming a golf legend, Tiger Woods had a brief stint as a puppy trainer? Just kidding, but wouldn’t that have been a fun twist?.
- Headline: Rare Alliance in the Rockies Strives to Save Open Spaces. Impact: This alliance between nature lovers and developers has led to a new trend where hiking trails are now lined with overpriced real estate signs. Because nothing says 'serenity' like a view of your neighbor's hot tub.. Fact: Did you know that the Rocky Mountains have more real estate agents per square mile than actual bears? Now that’s a statistic to ponder while hiking..
- Headline: Tyson Bid to Return Is Shifted to Nevada. Impact: Tyson's move to Nevada not only opened the door for his comeback but also established a new precedent for athletes: If you can't succeed at home, just move to a place where the rules are more flexible, like a kid in a candy store.. Fact: Fun fact: Nevada is now considering changing its state motto to 'What Happens Here, Gets You a Boxing License.'.
- Headline: Citing a Lead In the Polls, Ferraro Plans To Play Safe. Impact: Ferraro's cautious campaign led to a generation of politicians who learned that playing it safe is a surefire way to ensure they won't be remembered. Congratulations, Geraldine, your legacy is a cautionary tale!. Fact: Did you know that Ferraro's strategy was so safe, it could have been a training manual for future candidates on how to bore an audience to sleep?.
- Headline: Gridiron Hero: He Runs, Catches and Barks. Impact: This canine athlete's rise to fame sparked a bizarre trend where dog owners began training their pets for the NFL, leading to a confusing draft day where teams were torn between a linebacker and a Labrador.. Fact: Fun fact: This dog was later offered a lucrative endorsement deal for a brand of dog food that claimed to be 'as good as it gets'—but only for dogs, of course..
- Headline: Many Nations, One Big Party. Impact: The gathering of immigrants in NYC not only enriched the cultural fabric of the city but also led to a never-ending debate about who makes the best pizza, bagels, and, of course, who truly deserves to claim the title of 'New Yorker's Favorite.'. Fact: Did you know that NYC’s immigrant population is so diverse that it has more food options than the entire rest of the United States combined? No pressure, America!.
Wall Street Time Machine
AAPL
Apple
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1998, it would be worth $2,234,025 today (2234.0x return)
AMZN
Amazon
Amazon - If you invested $1,000 in 1998, it would be worth $914,661 today (914.7x return)