MAY 3, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: Louisville Grand Jury's Bold Exoneration. Impact: The exoneration of J B Brown led to a sudden surge in confidence in the banking sector. This confidence was so contagious that it sparked a series of ill-advised investments in the 1930s, leading to the invention of the 'get-rich-quick' scheme, which ultimately paved the way for infomercials.. Fact: Did you know that bank runs are considered a great way to lose your life savings? It's like a rollercoaster, but with more tears and fewer safety harnesses..
• Headline: Sequoyah Peak Naming Proposal in 1931. Impact: Naming a peak after Sequoyah led to a craze of natural landmarks being renamed after influential figures. This trend culminated in a peak named after a certain cat that was famous for knocking things off tables, forever changing the way we think of mountain ranges.. Fact: Sequoyah not only invented an alphabet but also proved that you can literally carve your name into history, unlike some of us who can barely manage to inscribe our names on a coffee cup..
• Headline: Gasoline Price Cuts in 1931. Impact: The gasoline price cut in 1931 set off a chain reaction where people started driving more. This eventually led to the invention of the road trip, which became a popular excuse for avoiding family gatherings for decades.. Fact: Gasoline prices are like mood swings—one minute they’re low, and the next, they’re high, leaving you questioning all your life choices and the meaning of existence..
• Headline: 1931 Handicap List of 3,637 Golfers, Representing 199 Metropolitan Clubs; FOUR OF THE LOW HANDICAP PLAYERS ON METROPOLITAN LIST ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY.. Impact: The announcement of the handicap list for golfers sparked a golf boom, which ultimately led to golf becoming the only sport where wearing plaid is socially acceptable.. Fact: Golf is the only sport where you can yell 'Fore!' and still have people think you’re just being polite instead of warning them about your terrible swing..
• Headline: JAMAICA BAY SEAPORT AS CITY ENVISIONS IT; Extensive Shallows to Be Converted Into Harbor With Docks Along Twenty-five-Mile Shoreline. Impact: The vision for Jamaica Bay as a seaport transformed the area into a hub of trade. Interestingly, this also led to an increase in seagull population, which subsequently inspired the rebranding of fast food as 'seagull cuisine.'. Fact: Seagulls are nature’s way of reminding you that your fries are never safe, no matter how far you run..
• Headline: THE MICROPHONE WILL PRESENT--. Impact: The microphone's introduction to radio heralded the dawn of talk shows, which later evolved into reality TV, proving that people will watch anything as long as someone else is making a fool of themselves.. Fact: The microphone is the only device that can turn a casual conversation into an hour-long debate about why pineapple belongs on pizza..
• Headline: Notes on Rare Books. Impact: The publication of rare books notes encouraged a generation of bibliophiles to hoard books, creating an underground society known as 'The Book Hoarders,' who still refuse to lend their copies of 'Moby Dick.'. Fact: Rare books are like that one friend who always shows up uninvited and makes you feel bad for not having read them yet..
• Headline: APARTMENT OWNERS FORM ASSOCIATION; Will Establish a Clearing House for Information on East Side Renting Conditions.. Impact: The formation of the apartment owners' association led to a series of complex rental agreements that eventually confused tenants so much that they started asking their landlords for advice on life decisions.. Fact: Renting an apartment is the only situation where you can pay thousands of dollars a year to live in a place where you can't even hang a picture without asking for permission..
• Headline: OPTIMISTIC FOR STEEL.; Weir Reports Signs of Improvement in the Industry.. Impact: Weir's optimistic report on the steel industry created a false sense of security, leading to the Great Steel Panic of 1932, where people hoarded steel like it was the last slice of pizza at a party.. Fact: Steel is the only material that can be both super strong and the cause of serious injury when your neighbor decides to use it for a DIY project without a clue..