In the 1950s, when the Cold War was at its apex and atomic warfare
appeared not only possible but likely, children willingly lined up at
schools to perform their civic duty. They raised their arms, gritted
their teeth, and held still while tattoo needles began piercing their
flesh, leaving them with their blood type stamped on their skin. If the
Soviet Union targeted areas of the United States for destruction, it
would be vital to have a protocol for blood transfusions to treat
radiation poisoning. Matches would need to be found quickly, and the
tattoos would prove invaluable. By 1955, 60,000 children had been
tattooed in Indiana and Utah, but despite their cooperation, other
states failed to follow their lead. The Korean conflict had come to an
end by 1953, reducing the strain put on blood supplies, and eventually
the tattoo program fell out of favor. Still, there are thousands of
adults today who still bear the mark of their blood type on their
bodies.
July 27, 2024
Sections
On This Day
1909 - Orville Wright set a record for the longest airplane flight. He was testing the first Army airplane and kept it in the air for 1 hour 12 minutes and 40 seconds.
Fact of the Day
Motorcycles in China are required by law to be decommissioned and destroyed 13 years after registration, regardless of their condition.
Nature Oddities
Nicknamed “sea parrots,” Atlantic puffins spent most of their lives out at sea, flapping their wings up to 400 times a minute and speeding through the air at up to 55mph.
Food and Drink
Yubari King cantaloupes can cost as much as $27,000. They are expensive because of the extreme cultivation process, which includes inspecting them by hand. They are exceptionally sweet, fragrant, and indulgent.