Tylenol Murders……
September 29, 1982……
The first two of seven deaths from cyanide-laced Tylenol acetaminophen capsules. A 12-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man die after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules. The man’s brother and sister-in-law later also died from after taking Tylenol from the same bottle. Three other people would die in the following days. Tests showed that the Tylenol had been laced with cyanide. Several others also died in copycat murders.
James Dean Killed in Car Crash…..
September 30, 1955……
The 24-year-old actor James Dean is killed when his speeding Porsche crashes into another vehicle. He had recently filmed a public service announcement on the dangers of speeding stating, “The life you might save might be mine.” At the time of the accident, Dean was headed to compete in an auto race in Salinas, California. Riding with him was Porsche factory mechanic Rolf Wütherich. Wütherich had encouraged Dean to drive the car from Los Angeles to Salinas to break it in. At 3:30 p.m., Dean was ticketed for speeding 65 miles an hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone about 84 miles from the crash site. In the time between the ticket and the crash, Dean stopped at a diner for a Coke. At about 5:45 p.m., an oncoming 1950 Ford Tudor was turning left ahead of Dean’s Porsche. Unable to stop in time, Dean slammed into the side of the vehicle. Dean was pronounced dead at the scene. His mechanic was thrown from the Porsche, but survived. The driver of the other vehicle sustained only minor injuries.
Playboy…..
October 1, 1953……
Playboy magazine is founded by Hugh Hefner. Its premiere issue hit the stands in December, featuring Marilyn Monroe from a photo shoot she did in the nude in 1949 when she was still a struggling actress. The first issue was produced in Hefner’s kitchen with $8,000 he raised from friends, including $1,000 from his mother. The first issue of over 53,000 copies sold out in weeks.