Analog Nation

• On April 20, 1998, physicists at the International Slumber Research Center broke the 5,000 thread count barrier. Bedding of such magnitude was previously thought to be impossible. Early experiments yielded sheets that remained stable for mere fractions of a second, and required the use of massive hyperbaric chambers. It wasn’t until the ISRC [...]

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In honor of Opening Day, we present an all-baseball edition of “This Week.”
• On April 5, 1985, the San Diego Zoo placed a lifelong ban on Goose Gossage, on the same day that the zoo’s entire giraffe population was found slaughtered and half-devoured. When asked about a possible connection, both parties refused to comment. [...]

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In honor of the 81st Annual Academy Awards, we present an all-Oscar edition of “This Week.”
• On February 16, 1996, a visibly drunk Dianne Wiest mistakenly awarded the Best Supporting Actor award to the pig from Babe. Unwilling to admit any implication of error on their part, the Academy has never corrected the mistake. Oscar [...]

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• On December 22, 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes gave a speech in Philadelphia during which he extolled, at great length, the health values of vinegar. The speech rambled on for some 45 minutes, well beyond its allotted time, and made it vividly clear that Hayes consumed nearly a quart of malt vinegar each day. [...]

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• On November 18, 1967, meteorologists from around the world came together in Barcelona for a intense, three-day summit. They met behind closed doors, allowing no contact with the outside world. On the third day, five hours behind schedule, the doors finally opened, and a lone weatherman emerged from the smoke-filled conference room to announce [...]

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• On October 6, 1965, a new musical called The Moon And The Rose opened at the Longacre Theatre on 48th Street. The show received rave reviews, but closed the following afternoon after just one performance. Critics and audiences alike were stunned. No reason was given by the play’s producers, though it was widely rumored [...]

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