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That was the year...
Page 16
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CM was launched in 1905; for our centenary year we're bringing you stories from years gone by. This week we're back in 1945 and 1995.
1945
The Second World War ends after Japan's surrender following the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by atomic bombs: Percy Spencer accidentally discovers that microwaves can heat up food, eventually leading to the birth of the fast-food generation. Henry Winkler, aka the Fonz in Happy Days, is born.
As tough as tarmac
World War II may have led to the destruction of some of our cities' finest architecture, but the roads were praised for their resilience within CM's pages: the damage to both foundations and surfaces has been remarkably small if it be compared with what happened during the war of 1914-18, when the traffic was nothing like so great either in quantity or weight".
1937 1987
Nuclear age
The dubious use of atomic bombs in 1945 led to speculation that this source of energy could be harnessed for use as cheap fuel: "Some experts say that it will take at least a decade to achieve much:others that only the younger people of our generation may he able to observe really material results."
Carry on hauling The end of the war brought a "problem of great importance, which must be solved with the utmost expedition," according to CM. "We refer to the question as to whether newcomers who were granted defence permits during hostilities, so that they could undertake what was then essential haulage work, should be allowed to carry on..."
1995
Britpop's peak, or nadir, is reached with Blur and Oasis fighting it out for the British number one spot with two of the weakest singles the two bands released during the period: members of the Aum Shinrikyo religious cult release sarin gas on railway trains in Tokyo, killing 12 and injuring hundreds; the Greatest Ever Living Englishman, Peter Cook, dies.
Early indications MP Tony Blair opens Stiller Transport's new 7.2-acre greenfield site, and CM was there: "The man who would be Prime Minister emerges from the warm interior of a silver-grey saloon into the chill Teesside air... He leaves the paintshop, gleaming grin intact, but with the air of a man who hasn't fully understood everything he has heard."
Stobart lays the foundations Eddie Stobart makes tentative steps towards breaking into international rail transport after announcing its move to the Channel Tunnel freight depot in Daventry. Eddie himself told CM that, at that point, he had no customers in mind for using rail.
Accurate prediction
We were on the money when we revealed how long it would take to introduce town centre road charging: "[They] are not likely to be launched before the end of the decade because of technological and legislative difficulties." Select Committee member Peter Bottomley described the idea of such charging as: "nonsense".