Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
1825 The first U.S. patent for preserving food in tin cans was granted. Thomas Kensett set up a small canning plant on the waterfront selling America’s first hermetically sealed fish, fruits, vegetables, and meat.
915 George Claude received a U.S. patent for his invention the neon light. It was an instant world-wide sensation.
1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower was filmed for newsreels and later television broadcasts. He announced at the beginning, “Well, I see we’re trying a new experiment this morning. I hope that doesn’t prove to be a disturbing influence.” Eisenhower’s Press Secretary edited the footage before it was released.
Music History:
1967 The Monkees topped the singles charts with ‘I’m A Believer’. The song composed by Neil Diamond had over a million advanced orders and went gold within two days of release. It is one of the fewer than forty all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) physical copies worldwide.
Notable Birthdays:
Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Shawn Johnson 34
TV Chef Paula Deen 79
Singer Dolly Parton 80
Credit to:
Thisdayinmusic.com and Thisdaytrivia.com
