There was a time when it was legal to set up a tower of scaffolding and charge spectators for a ticket to climb it and watch the Indianapolis 500. That changed in 1960 when a tower holding more than a hundred spectators toppled, killing two and injuring dozens. This week's Universal newsreel features the Indianapolis … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: Tragedy at the Indianapolis 500, 1960
In 1955, after years of research and testing, the polio vaccine created by Jonas Salk was declared safe and effective. The devastating virus is nearly eradicated in the United States today. In 1946, however, two years before Jonas Salk first began his research, the city of San Antonio, Texas tried to prevent the spread of … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: Spraying DDT to Prevent Polio, 1946
Did you enjoy a mint julep over the weekend in honor of the Kentucky Derby? This week, we look back to the sixty-fourth running of the Kentucky Derby, held on May 7th, 1938. The winner was long-shot Lawrin, the only Kansas-bred horse ever to win the race. Lawrin was buried beside his sire, Inisco, in his … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: The 64th Running of the Kentucky Derby, 1938
This week in 1966, Boeing introduced the world to the 747, the first jumbo jet. Today, production of the 747 is winding down, but when it first debuted with commercial airlines in 1970, the double-decker represented both scale of economy and the lap of luxury for those fortunate enough to travel in first class. Even … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: Introducing the Boeing 747, 1966
This week in 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were found guilty of providing secret information about atomic weapons technology to the USSR. The couple were sentenced to death on April 5, 1951 and were executed in June of 1953. From the release sheet: DEATH FOR ATOM SPIES! New York- It’s a verdict of death in … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: The Rosenberg Verdict, 1951
This week we're featuring Professor I.M. Nuts, a gentleman who demonstrates his spectacular inventions in several Universal News stories. In this story, Prof. Nuts shows off a gadget that will prevent you from ruining your day while eating grapefruit. According to Nuts, "every home should have at least half a dozen"! http://youtu.be/djr2GckgFvI Have you ever … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: An Invention to Protect Yourself from Grapefruit, 1937
This week in Universal News, it's "another great day for the Irish" at the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade. In attendance were Robert Kennedy, Mayor John Lindsay, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and James Farley, Postmaster General under Franklin D. Roosevelt and one of the first successful Irish Catholic politicians in the United States. http://youtu.be/q_lWSohSReo … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 1967
This week in Universal News, fashionable ladies demonstrate the latest gadgets at the National Wine and Liquor Show in Chicago, including cocktail mittens and a portable keg tap that makes beach picnics a breeze. The soundtrack for this reel no longer exists, but you can read the script below to get a sense of how … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: New Cocktail Gadgets, 1935
This week in Universal News, New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras. Be sure to look closely at 0:40 to catch a glimpse of a Beatles fan surrounded by a gaggle of clowns. http://youtu.be/XVPbXwCMQHg From the release sheet: THE ANNUAL NEW ORLEANS STORY: The charming, old City of New Orleans, forever young in spirit, whoops it up … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: Mardi Gras, 1965
This week in Universal News, designer Marc Bohan makes his debut with the House of Dior. The summer preview featured "less flutter and more shape", with retro 1920s styles. http://youtu.be/wQ7OV167cFQ From the release sheet: HOUSE OF DIOR SUMMER PREVIEW: Preview of the House of Dior's summer, 1961 collection, the sensationally successful showing that marks the … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: Summer Fashion Preview, 1961
