...AND THE HORIZONTAL
Happy National VCR Day! Before you reflexively assume you were drugged and stuffed into the passenger seat of a tricked-out Delorean and sent to 1985 — which would make the sending AND receiving of this email VERY impressive — rest assured that it is (for better or worse) still 2023.
It's just that today is the anniversary of when Sony launched the Betamax in 1975, and I guess someone in their PR department needed to look busy.
Sony actually has a bit of a history of introducing new media formats with a mixed bag as far as success rate. JVC's VHS format ultimately won the VCR wars, but the 80s and 90s wouldn't have been the 80s and 90s without the ubiquity of the Sony Walkman and Discman. The MiniDisc, released in 1992...not so much.
In any event, all this antiquated technology features prominently in our 1990s activity book. It may not be able to send you back to the future, but it IS a blast about the past!
Only because we used high-quality 100 lb. paper for the pages, Marty!
GIF via Back to the Future
Today is also International Supply Chain Professionals Day. Shoutout to Boredwalk Operations Manager Marlene, Christina & Isabella in our Shipping Department, Production Supervisor Ellie, and Adam & Marissa in our Production Department for always bringing their A-game when it comes to making ship happen around here!
*****
Want a few notable June 7th birthdays and historical facts before we get to this week's amusing links? Of course you do!
• Eat some birthday cake in honor of: singer, actor, and Rat Pack stalwart Dean Martin (1917), Welsh singer, actor, and noted sex bomb Tom Jones (1940), musical genius Prince Rogers Nelson (1958), recently departed actor Lance Reddick of The Wire, Corporate, and John Wick fame (1962), overrated artist Damien Hirst (1965), Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro (1967), actor, comedian, and screenwriter Bill Hader (1978), actor/musician Michael Cera (1988), rapper Iggy Azalea (1990), and rapper Fetty Wap (1991)
• As mentioned above, it was on this day in 1975 that Sony launched the Betamax, which was the first mass-market videocassette recorder format intended for the home consumer.
• Louis XIV, "the Sun King," was crowned King of France on this day in 1654. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of any sovereign. Not too shabby for a fancy boy! (Seriously, google this dandy. He is the exact opposite of "no frills." He is ALL frills.)
• Pour one out for: mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing, who is widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. Sadly, he died on this day in 1954 by self-inflicted cyanide poisoning after his appalling prosecution and treatment by British authorities in 1952 for the "crime" of engaging in homosexual acts.
Also release a tipple in honor of poet, writer, critic, and satirist Dorothy Parker, who cracked wise for the last time on this day in 1967.
Finally, a salute to horror icon Christopher Lee, who was laid in his final resting place this day in 2015. We think — dude played Dracula NINE TIMES over the course of his career. He may just be waiting for nightfall!
Now on to the amusing links!
Josh, Grace, and Boredwalk Production Supervisor Ellie competed against each other to see who knew the most answers to the trivia questions in that aforementioned 90s activity book! Who won? You'll have to watch to find out!
Comedian Joe Brogie shares a 1950s-style PSA on how to ask someone out in 2023. It's a gas!
Daniel Foxx welcomes you to his nether region.
These parrots are sus AF. Between them and AI, nobody's job is safe! Don't trust them!
This Twitter account is full of documentary evidence of why the authority figure in your life should allow you to bring animals home.
OK! We'll be back here in your inbox on Friday — possibly with more nonsense holidays to dissect, more notable birthdays (and maybe even some notable deathdays!) to celebrate, and more witty content in general. Until next time...
Peace, love, and grainy videos,
Matt
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