Day Tripping: May 26

Motors, Music. and Missiles

Rolling Off The Line

The Tin Lizzie made its last appearance on the production line at Henry Ford’s factory in 1927. Henry and his son Edsel drove the very last, and 15th million Model T Ford off the track and into history. This 1200 pound, four-cylinder engine automobile is responsible for changing the landscape of America more than any other invention. The car was first introduced in 1908.

Incredibly popular because of its relative affordability, the Model T influenced the US Government to begin construction of a road system, and it brought people out of rural areas for the first time with its mobility, even without roads. Ford ended production of this model once the competitors like Chevrolet started to outsell the little runner. Six months later, the Model A went into production and put Ford on top once again.

Spinning The Biggest LP

The Beatles had stopped touring to concentrate their efforts entirely on studio production in 1966. Five days before its US release date of June 1, the long-awaited opus Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band debuted in the UK in 1967. On the heels of their Rubber Soul and Revolver releases, the Fab Four were influenced by The Beach Boys’ groundbreaking concept album, Pet Sounds, released a year earlier.

With Sgt Pepper's, The Beatles ushered in a new era of Album Music, influencing an explosion of experimentation that eventually became Progressive Rock. The production values of this album cannot be overstated considering the time it was made. Producer George Martin’s fingerprints are all over the record, also marking a new era in the value of record producers.

Signing With Intent

For the first time during the Cold War, President Richard Nixon and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT Agreement in 1972. The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks marked a new beginning between the longtime adversaries, reducing the number of nuclear missiles in each arsenal.

The agreement which was signed in Moscow also introduced a decrease in the production of ABM’s (anti-ballistic missiles). Unfortunately, the treaty never went into effect but was tried again with Jimmy Carter several years later.

Musical Milestones

Rock band Mott the Hoople was ready to call it a day and split when David Bowie stepped up and offered to give the boys one of his songs. In 1972, they chose to record All the Young Dudes and it became a seventies rock anthem, and their careers are saved. You should definitely turn this one up.

Narratives

Author of 2001, A Space Odyssey Arthur C Clarke was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to literature in 2000.

Remembrance

Winner of an Academy Award for directing Out Of Africa and nominated for They Shoot Horses Don’t They and Tootsie, the indelible stamp of Sydney Pollack’s artistry is forever on display. Sydney passed away from cancer in 2008.

Notable Births

A Star-studded lineup of birthdays, indeed:

1907 — Marion Morrison, The Duke, otherwise known as John Wayne

1926 — Few musicians have influenced directional changes in music as much as Miles Davis

1940 — Drummer and lead singer for The Band, Levon Helm

1948 — There will only ever be one Stevie Nicks. Recognizable from her first note.

1964 — Younger people know him as Cinna from Hunger Games, but Lenny Kravitz enjoyed a remarkable music career before that

1966—Kooky and talented actress who portrayed Princess Margaret recently with extraordinary flair, Helena Bonham Carter

K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca

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