An Auto Accident that Almost Changed the Whole World

Every once in a while, a critical event occurs. Something happens, and the possible outcomes are thrown into the air to decide how history will be written.

It was December 13, 1931. Having been invited for a late visit, a British gentleman was traveling by cab to an old friend’s New York apartment. It was about 10:30, the streets were wet, and the traffic light – at least for New York.

He found himself halfway across the street and noticed a set of headlights approaching from the right. Thinking like a Brit, he instinctively believed he was in the clear, and expecting the car to pass behind him. Without a second thought, he continued across the street, stepping forward - directly into the path of the oncoming car.

There was a sudden, violent jarring impact across his thighs and forehead. Then, after flying through the air for a moment, he found himself on the ground, in a heap, and unable to move.