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 September 15, 1954
Full News Archive
- Headline: Business Expansion Plans Announced. Impact: This $25 million expansion was the start of a corporate arms race that eventually led to the creation of luxury office spaces with nap pods and organic snack bars. Because who doesn't want to feel like a king while working?. Fact: Fun fact: that $25 million would be worth about $250 million todayβproof that inflation is just the economy's way of saying it has expensive tastes..
- Headline: Clay's Initiative for Medical Funding. Impact: Clay's involvement in the medical fund drive sparked a movement that led to every celebrity feeling the need to jump on a charity bandwagon. Thanks, Clay, for making philanthropy just another PR opportunity.. Fact: Did you know? Clay was once asked to help with a bake sale but brought a whole buffet instead. Nothing says 'medical fund' like a three-course meal..
- Headline: More G.I. Home Loans Asked. Impact: The flood of G.I. home loans created a housing boom that eventually led to a reality TV show about house-flipping. Who knew that veterans just wanted to be on television?. Fact: Did you know that the VA once considered a home loan for a treehouse? Turns out they were just testing the waters for future 'tiny house' trends!.
- Headline: Senator's Daughter Has Twins. Impact: The birth of twins in a senator's family led to a political dynasty that kept on giving, resulting in a long line of future politicians who would invariably blame their decisions on 'family tradition.'. Fact: Did you know? Janeβs twins later became so influential that they were required to attend family reunions in tuxedosβbecause you canβt be too formal when youβre a future senator..
- Headline: Chinatown Hails 5 Anti-Communists, Former U. N. Prisoners in Korea. Impact: The welcoming of anti-communists in Chinatown became a symbol of hope, inadvertently creating a cultural festival that would turn into an annual event where fortune cookies became more popular than actual food. Who knew oppression could lead to such delicious snacks?. Fact: Fun fact: Fortune cookies were actually invented in California, not China. So, those messages of wisdom? Probably written by someone who just really liked to snack..
- Headline: COMPROMISE PLAN ON BONN DRAFTED; European Council Committee Suggests Indirect Role for Germany in NATO. Impact: The compromise plan for NATO and Germany sparked a series of debates that eventually led to a long-standing tradition of diplomats engaging in discussions that could have been summarized in a five-minute email.. Fact: Did you know? The first draft of the compromise plan was accidentally sent to a cat meme forum. It was well-received, thoughβcats make everything better..
- Headline: M'CARTHY DEMAND DENIED BY INQUIRY; Censure Group Turns Down His Request That It Replace Counsel in Writing Report M'CARTHY DEMAND DENIED BY INQUIRY. Impact: McCarthy's denial of counsel requests only fueled his reputation as the 'bad boy' of politics, inspiring countless future politicians to take their cues from his playbook: make noise, stir the pot, and deny everything.. Fact: Did you know McCarthy once tried to censure a potato for being too bland? It didn't go well, but it did start a 'Spud Rebellion.'.
- Headline: Arkansas City Ends Curbs. Impact: Ending curbs in Arkansas City led to a surge in vehicular traffic that would eventually be blamed for the rise of road rage. Who knew freedom could be so stressful?. Fact: Fun fact: The last time they had curbs, the only thing people hit was the local gossipβnow they hit each other's bumpers. Progress?.
Wall Street Time Machine
GE
General Electric
General Electric - If you invested $1,000 in 1954, it would be worth $487,500 today (487.5x return)
IBM
IBM
IBM - If you invested $1,000 in 1954, it would be worth $205,272 today (205.3x return)
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1954, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)