- 1933: Dianne Feinstein's Birth Year
- 1935: Monopoly was Patented
Dianne Feinstein, who served in Congress until she was 90 years old, definitely predates the classic board game Monopoly. While Feinstein was born in 1933, and Monopoly was first patented in 1935. Unfortunately, Feinstein passed away while in office, but at the time of her death, she was older than Monopoly by two years.
Feinstein, a California Democrat, served in the Senate from 1992 until her death in 2023. Previously San Francisco's first female mayor, she championed gun control and environmental issues. Known for her liberal stance and her work across party lines, she was the longest-sitting U.S. senator and member of Congress, longest-serving U.S. senator from California, and longest-tenured female senator in history.
- 1942: Joe Biden's Birth Year
- 1954: Gottlob Widmann Invents the First Electric Drip Coffeemaker
Before Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States in 2021, he basically coined the term "career politician." From 1973 to 2009, he served as a Delaware Senator... That's over 36 years in Congress! After that, he served as Vice President to Barack Obama and eventually, as we know, President following Donald Trump.
What makes his age even more ridiculous is that he was born over ten years before the first electric drip coffeemaker. Dubbed the "Wigomat," it revolutionized coffee by automating the process of making our favorite cup of "morning sludge." Could you imagine living in a time before Mr. Coffee could brew you a fresh cup of joe before work? Yeah, we can't either.
(Image via Bloomberg/Bloomberg/Getty Images; www.acosta.eu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1933: Chuck Grassley's Birth Year
- 1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Original Theatrical Release
Released December 21, 1937, it's difficult to imagine anything else we love in the modern era predating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs... Let me introduce you to Republican Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley, who celebrated his 90th birthday on September 17, 2023, making him four years older than the original Disney princess.
Grassley was first elected to the U.S. Senate in the '80s and has been reelected seven times, making him the longest-serving Republican in history! From what we know, he has no plans to retire and likely will serve until his death. In fact, he already filed for 2028 reelection, according to The Hill. Is that even possible? In 2028, Grassley will be 95 years old.
(Image via Office of Senator Chuck Grassley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Walt Disney Studios)
- 1936: Grace Napolitano's birth year
- 1941: Injectable Penicillin
Democratic congresswoman Grace Napolitano assumed office in 1999 and continues to work as the California incumbent. Sounds like a long time, right? Get this: she was born in the '30s and turned 87 in December 2024. She lived 63 years before joining House of Representatives, including working for Ford Motor Company for 21 years and raising five children.
Penicillin's story began with Alexander Fleming at his London lab in 1928. There, he created the antibiotic, but it was still in its infancy. It wasn't until the U.S. and Britain collaborated to mass-produce injectable penicillin over a decade later, in the early '40s, that penicillin truly revolutionized the medical industry.
- 1937: Bill Pascrell, Jr.'s birth year
- 1951: I Love Lucy's first episode
William "Bill" Pascrell, Jr., has served in the U.S. House since 1997, representing the state of New Jersey. In fact, he's clearly had the dream of working for the U.S. government in some capacity since adolescence, as he served in the U.S. military and later landed a job as Mayor.
I Love Lucy aired from 1951 to 1957, featuring Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo and her real-life partner Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo. The sitcom was an instant classic and was America's most-watched show for the majority of its six-season run. Even though Pascress should probably call politics quits soon, we couldn't live without I Love Lucy reruns!
(Image via US Congress, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Desilu Productions, Inc.)
- 1937: Eleanor Holmes Norton's birth year
- 1960: The Andy Griffith Show's first episode
Classic American sitcom The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight seasons on CBS, first airing on October 3, 1960. So, if we do the math, that means the show is 64 years old as of 2024. Do you know what that means? Yes, Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton is officially 22 years older than the show...
Norton first ran for political office in 1977 for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, serving as Chair until 1981. Ten years later, she assumed office as a delegate in the House of Representatives. Despite a rocky start to her Congressional career — involving an income tax scandal that forced her to pay over $80,000 in backpay and fines — she's managed to keep her seat well into her 80s.
- 1937: Harold Rogers' Birth Year
- 1939: The Wizard of Oz Theatrical Release
Harold Rogers is a prime example of what we call a "career politician." He first served as a commonwealth attorney in Kentucky from 1969 to 1980. In the '80s, he landed his first spot as a Republican Congressman, a position he's held to this day. In fact, he's on his 22nd term!
Rogers may or may not be the best congressman, but The Wizard of Oz is definitely one of the best films ever made, and it's younger than him! The film premiered in August 1939, so it will be 85 years old in 2024! it's a cult classic for multiple reasons, including the hit songs "Over the Rainbow" and "We're Off to See the Wizard," and its use of Technicolor. We'll never forget the sight of Dorothy's ruby red slippers!
- 1938: Maxine Waters' Birth Year
- 1938: Nuclear Fission Discovered
- 1942: First Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction
Maxine Waters, who is serving her 17th House term and currently the most senior black woman in Congress, was born on August 15, 1938, making her 85 years old. Believe it or not, that was the same year that nuclear fission was discovered. What a year!
It wouldn't be until 1942 that Enrico Fermi's team at the University of Chigao would perform the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, also called a sustained nuclear reaction. Not only did this even revolutionize nuclear science, but it paved the way to modernity with nuclear power and warfare.
(Image via mark6mauno, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Nuclear Regulatory Commission from US, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1939: Steny Hoyer's Birth Year
- 1943: First Functional Dialyzer
Steny Hoyer has served as a Maryland representative since 1981. If you think that's a long time, he actually started working in politics in the early '60s! For someone born in 1939, it's not surprising that he's worked in the government for so long... but the fact that he still in office?
Oh, and let's not forget that makes him three years older than the first dialysis machine. We don't know what to do with that information except say this: How are these people writing laws in the 2020s?!
- 1940: Nancy Pelosi's Birth Year
- 1959: Bonanza's First Episode
Nancy Pelosi is one of the most well-known politicians in the United States, not only serving as the 52nd speaker of the House but also representing California's 11th district since 1987. She was already 19 years old when Bonanza dropped its first episode!
Bonanza was a hugely popular Western television show that ran from 1959 to 1973 and centered around the Cartwright family. It helped popularize the genre and set the standard for future westerns. Though set in the 19th century, the show occasionally tackled contemporary social issues like racism, albeit subtly for the time, and introduced audiences to progressive ideas in a digestible way.
(Image via Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Bettmann/Bettmann/Getty Images)
- 1940: James Clyburn's Birth Year
- 1943: Vesta Stoudt invented Duct Tape
The invention of duct tape wasn't straightforward, but the end product can be traced back to Vesta Stoudt in 1943. Later in the 1950s, the colloquial name "duct tape" rose to prominence because it was helpful for sealing air and heating ducts.
By this time, James Clyburn was only three years old, but that still makes him older! Later, in 1969, he became involved in politics during the Charleston hospital strict, becoming the first black man to hold a seat on the city council since post-Civil War reconstruction. He stepped down as House assistant Democratic leader on March 20, 2024.
- 1941: Danny K. Davis' Birth year
- 1940: Richard and Maurice McDonald founded McDonald's BBQ
- 1948: McDonald's Fast-Food Revamp
Illinois Democrat Danny K. Davis might be one year younger than when McDonald's was first thought up, but it wasn't until 1948 that McDonald's became the ultimate fast-food franchise that we know today.
Born in Arkansas, Daniel K. Davis currently serves as a representative for Illinois's 7th district, which covers much of Chicago. He's held this position since 1996.
(United States Government, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Dirk Tussing from Chicago IL, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1941: Bernie Sanders' Birth Year
- 1962: Sam Walton Founded Walmart
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is the longest-serving independent U.S. congressman in history. Despite being Independent, he maintains liberal views that are more leftist than those of the Democratic Party. He's served in office so long that he's twice come second for the Democratic Presidential nomination.
For countless Americans, Walmart feels like it's been around since the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Oddly enough, Sanders was born twenty years earlier than the first location.
(Senate Democrats, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; MikeMozartJeepersMedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1941: John Carter's Birth Year
- 1989: The Simpsons'First Episode
The Simpsons debuted in 1987 as shorts before it became a full-fledged show in 1989. Now, it's one of the longest-running American sitcoms ever. Similarly, John Carter is one of the oldest congressmen in the U.S. currently.
After retiring as a judge in 2001, Carter ran for Congress and assumed office as Texas' Representative for the 31st district, and there are no signs of him stepping down any time soon.
- 1942: Mitch McConnell's Birth Year
- 1955: Disneyland Opened in California
You're probably tired of hearing about Mitch McConnell after he served as Senate Majority Leader from 2015-2021, but there's still more to say. The man is older than Disneyland! After first entering politics in the '70s, he's officially the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history.
Nicknamed "The Happiest Place on Earth," Disneyland opened in 1955 as Walt Disney's dream to bring his cartoons to life. Divided into themed lands like Adventureland and Fantasyland, it later expanded into a much larger location, Disney World, and eventually, worldwide.
(Image via BennyX506x2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Tuxyso / Wikimedia Commons)
- 1942: Frederica Wilson's Birth Year
- 1948: Cable TV was Invented
Cable television's roots go back to 1948 when the first systems were created to improve reception in geographically challenging areas. Initially, it only amplified existing channels, but it later could pick up broadcasts from hundreds of miles away.
That means Frederica Wilson, Florida's 24th district Representative, was alive for six years before cable TV took America by storm and threatened the film industry. She assumed office in 2011 after a long career in elementary education.
- 1942: Anna Eshoo's Birth Year
- 1971: The Kenback-1 was Invented
- 1974: The Altair 8800 was Invented
- 1984: The First Macintosh PC was Invented
Anna A. Eshoo has served as Representative for the multiple congressional districts of California since 1993, which is over 30 years! Early in her career, she served as Chair of the San Mateo Democratic Party from 1978 to 1982... before Apple unveiled the revolutionary Macintosh PC.
The "first" PC invented is technically the Kenbak-1, released in 1971, which is still 29 years older than Eshoo. holds a claim to the crown for being designed for individual users. However, it didn't include a microprocessor which defined the modern PC. Three years later, the Altair 8800 arrived, followed up by Apple's user-friendly Mac in the '80s.
(Image via U.S. House of Representatives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; randy.troppmann, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1943: Kay Granger's Birth Year
- 1969: U.S. Moon Landing
Kay Granger assumed political office as Mayer of Fort Worth in 1991 and graduated to the House of Representatives in 1997. Citizen part of Gen X and younger weren't around when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, so anyone older than that feels ancient... No offense!
Now, the internet is rife with theories suggesting that the moon landing was faked to spook Russia during the Cold War. We have no clue how Granger remains in office to make decisions on behalf of conspiracy theorists.
(Image via Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 1943: Rosa DeLauro's Birth Year
- 1947: Ben Pon Designed the First VW Bus
- 1950: The VW Bus was Produced
Rosa DeLauro is one of the few elderly members of Congress we'd happily support staying in office for as long as possible. Why? Her awesome blue hair, of course! She obviously knows how to keep up with the trends.
The illusion of a "young and hip" aesthetic shatters, however, when you realize she was born three decades before the VW Bus was invented... We wonder if she ever got to drive one?
(Image via US Department of Labor, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; nakhon100, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1943: Jim Risch's Birth Year
- 1979: Sony Invented the Walkman
Now that we can store millions of songs on our smartphones and stream any song within seconds, the Walkman is a cultural relic. The Sony invented the first portable cassette player in 1979. The first model, the TPS-L2, revolutionized personal music listening by allowing people to take their music on the go.
Sadly for Jim Risch, he had to wait 36 years before being able to enjoy music on the go. Perhaps he's a bit too out of touch to continue serving as a U.S. Senator? Apparently not...
(Image via Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; ocean yamaha, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
- 1943: Virginia Foxx's Birth Year
- 1962: Philips Electronics Invented Cassettes
Virginia Foxx, a representative from North Carolina, initially worked in education before entering politics in 1994. Now, she's served for 30 years! Because technology only seems to get smarter and smarter, the fact that cassette tapes were invented in the '60s seems like eons ago for anyone younger than 45.
Cassette tapes revolutionized portable music because users could record their own mixes or listen to pre-recorded music paired with Walkmans. Despite the rise of CDs and then digital music players, Gen Z has made cassettes trendy again, enjoying the unique sound and vintage feel of a technology they never experienced before.
(Image via U.S. Department of AgricultureLance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Sgytje, CC BY-SA 4.0
