OCTOBER 28, 1999

Full News Archive

• Headline: Boosting Census Participation Among Undercounted Groups. Impact: The push for census participation led to a chain of events where underrepresented groups slowly began to realize their power. This sparked movements that eventually caused certain politicians to awkwardly pretend to care about their issues—resulting in endless campaigns filled with empty promises and awkward photo ops.. Fact: If you thought being counted was important, wait until you hear about the time the government lost a whole census due to a clerical error. Spoiler alert: it didn't end well for anyone..
• Headline: Trapped in an Elevator: Nicholas White's Ordeal. Impact: Nicholas White's 40-hour elevator ordeal not only sparked a new appreciation for stairs but also led to a reckless rise in 'elevator survival' courses, where people learned to survive the most mundane disasters possible. Who knew elevators could be so dramatic?. Fact: Fun fact: After this incident, elevator manufacturers started including a manual for 'How to Not Panic While Trapped,' which was ironically found to be less useful than simply having a good book on hand..
• Headline: The Blind Leading the Sighted. Impact: Gregg Vanderheiden's work on accessibility became a pivotal moment that inspired tech companies to create products for the disabled, leading to an era of innovation that inadvertently resulted in people using voice commands to order pizza while still in bed. Thanks, Gregg!. Fact: Did you know that before accessibility technology, the term 'blind date' actually referred to something much less romantic? It was just a date between two people who couldn't see each other’s profiles!.
• Headline: Toward a Future With Flair. Impact: Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos's unique architectural style led to a surge in 'hipster' buildings that made residents question if they were living in a home or an art installation. This also sparked the age-old debate: Is it a house, or is it just a really expensive piece of modern art?. Fact: If you think architects are just dreamers, you should know that they also have to deal with a lot of clients who think they can turn a shoebox into a mansion. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work that way..