“Science may never come up with a better office communications system than the coffee break” is a saying that has been printed on many images. Syndicated entertainment columnist Earl Wilson (1907-1987) wrote in October 1961, “Science will never come up with a better office communications system than the coffee break.” Wilson reprinted the line ten years later, in a December 1971 column.
The opening “Science will never…” was changed by others to “Science may never…” by at least 1978.
Wikipedia: Earl Wilson (columnist)
Earl Wilson (May 3, 1907 – January 16, 1987), born Harvey Earl Wilson, was an American journalist, gossip columnist, and author, perhaps best known for his 6-day a week nationally syndicated newspaper column, It Happened Last Night.
30 October 1961, The Morning News (Wilmington, DE), “It Happened Last Night” by Earl Wilson, pg. 17, col. 3:
EARLS PEARLS: Science will never come up with a better office communications system than the coffee break.
20 December 1971, Hartford (CT) Courant, Earl Wilson entertainment column, pg. 20, col. 7:
Science will never come up with a better office communications system than the coffee break.
17 July 1978, Marietta (GA) Daily Journal, “Ink Spots” by Wayne Reeves, pg. 2B, col. 8 ad:
Science may never come up with a better office communication system than the coffee break.
17 November 1980, Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), “Daily Cryptoquote” (puzzle), pg. 4B, col. 2:
Saturday’s Cryptoquote: SCIENCE MAY NEVER COME UP WITH A NETTER OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM THAN THE COFFEE BREAK.—EARL WILSON
Google Books
14,000 Quips & Quotes:
For Speakers, Writers, Editors, Preachers, and Teachers
By E. C. McKenzie
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House
1990, ©1980
Pg. 461:
Science has never come up with a better office communication system than the coffee break.
Google Books
Gene Perret’s Funny Business:
Speaker’s Treasury of Business Humor for All Occasions
By Gene Perret and Linda Perret
New York, NY: Prentice Hall
1990
Pg. 141:
“Science may never come up with a better office communications system than the coffee break.” — Earl Wilson
Google Books
Great Funny Quotes:
Sweeten Your Life with Laughter
By David Young
Round Rock, TX: Wind Runner Press
2011
Pg. 68:
Science may never come up with a better office communications system than the coffee break.
—Gene Perret
Twitter
melina nacos
@melinanacos
“Science may never come up with a better office communication system than the coffee break.” Earl Wilson
7:01 AM - 17 Mar 2017
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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