#ThrowbackThursday – 18 April
It’s 18 April, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1924 – Here’s a Crossword Puzzle for You
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the first crossword puzzle book ever to be published!
When Dick Simon and Lincoln Schuster co-founded Simon & Schuster, Inc., the publishing company that bore their names, the first publication they released was not a book, a comic or a magazine – in fact, it was a book of crossword puzzles.
Containing puzzles from “New York World”, an American newspaper, “The Cross Word Puzzle Book” was released on 18 April 1924. It was unique, in that it was the first collection of crossword puzzles to be made and sold. It was also unique for keeping “Cross” and “Word” separate in the title until the late 1920s.
Since then, Simon & Schuster has continued to publish its crossword puzzle books, releasing a compilation every two months.
1934 – Welcome to the Washateria
Before the advent of 24-hour laundromats, not many people had the luxury of owning a washing machine or a tumble dryer. Why, before these appliances were even invented, many people had to make do with washing all of their clothes by hand, while Mother Nature took care of the drying part.
Although washing machines were introduced in 1908, one had to be quite wealthy in order to afford one, as well as supply it with electricity.
Fortunately, the first commercial laundromat of its kind was established 26 years later: founded in Fort Worth, Texas by C. A. Tannahill, the laundromat – known then as a “washateria”, a combination of the words “wash” and “cafeteria” – opened its doors on 18 April 1934.
The washateria was far from glamorous, but it served its purpose – on an hourly basis, that is. It consisted of only four electric washing machines, and customers rented them by the hour in order to wash their clothing. An attendant was on hand at all times, most likely because they had to deal with customer payments.
Unfortunately, tumbler dryers weren’t invented yet, so when customers were done doing laundry, they had to cart loads of wet clothing from the washateria to their homes to hang up and dry.
From the 1940s onwards, washaterias became common in the US and soon around the world. They also became known as “laundromats”. Most laundromats are coin-operated and are open 24/7 … and they come complete with tumble dryers!
1956 – A Civil Ceremony
A lot of people dream of having a fairytale wedding where they marry the prince (or princess) of their dreams.
When it comes to Grace Kelly, she tied the knot with her own prince … TWICE. Of course, the first of the two wedding ceremonies was less spectacular (but still quite the royal affair).
Grace Kelly was once one of Hollywood’s leading actresses and glamour icons, earning herself plaudits from fans and critics alike. At the height of her popularity, the Pennsylvanian beauty met her future husband on 6 May 1955: Prince Rainier III was a member of the royal House of Grimaldi, and – as a result of an arranged meeting by their acquaintances – he was to give her a tour of his home, the Palace of Monaco.
Despite a few hiccups (Kelly slept in and arrived late to the palace, only to be entertained for nearly an hour by one of the staff members, while Rainier was occupied someplace else), the future couple finally met, and they hit it off.
After nearly a year of long-distance courting, the couple were engaged and set to get married. Per local and clerical laws in Monaco, Kelly and Rainier were to undergo two wedding ceremonies: a civil ceremony and a religious ceremony.
So, on 18 April 1956, Grace Kelly formally became Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco – while also acquiring more than 140 other titles – when she exchanged vows with Rainier in a 16-minute civil ceremony held at the palace.
Granted, the couple’s traditional wedding ceremony the following day drew more attention, plus it afforded more pomp and circumstance, but at least Kelly got to celebrate her fairytale marriage in style twice!
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