according to Chat GPT:Yes, there was a notable newspaper ink shortage in the early 1990s. Specifically, in 1990-1991, the newspaper industry in the United States experienced a significant shortage of black ink. This shortage was due to several factors, including increased demand, production issues, and supply chain disruptions.
The shortage had a considerable impact on the newspaper industry, leading some publishers to ration ink, reduce print runs, or limit the number of pages in their newspapers. Some newspapers even experimented with different ink formulations or reduced the amount of color used to conserve black ink. The shortage eventually eased as suppliers ramped up production and the market adjusted.
And now you know …. the rest of the story.