Technology of the 1950’s A Brief Overview

The 1950’s  Life expectancy:Women 71.1, Men 65.6  Average Salary: $2,992  Cost of a loaf of bread: $0.14  The first copy machine was made in 1950  Life expectancy:Women 71.1, Men 65.6  Average Salary: $2,992  Cost of a loaf of bread: $0.14  The first copy machine was made in 1950

The 1950’s  1955: Jonas Salk invented a polio vaccine  1956: a solar powered wrist watch was invented  1957: Russians launched Sputnik 1  1958: the first plastic Coke bottle appeared  1955: Jonas Salk invented a polio vaccine  1956: a solar powered wrist watch was invented  1957: Russians launched Sputnik 1  1958: the first plastic Coke bottle appeared

Television  During the 1950’s, television became the dominant mass media  President Truman inaugurated transcontinental television service on Sept. 4, 1951, when AT&T carried his address to the United Nations in San Francisco to viewers as far away as New England  During the 1950’s, television became the dominant mass media  President Truman inaugurated transcontinental television service on Sept. 4, 1951, when AT&T carried his address to the United Nations in San Francisco to viewers as far away as New England

Television  In the early fifties, young people watched TV more hours than they went to school  The ideal family, the ideal schools and neighborhoods, the world, were all seen in a way which had only partial basis in reality. People began to accept what was heard and seen on television

Television  The affect on print news media and entertainment media was felt in lower attendance at movies and greater reliance on TV news sources for information.

Television  1954: black and white broadcasts became color broadcasts  Families enjoyed variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and daytime programs like Guiding Light. ”Soap Operas" were popular and helped advertisers sell many products to the homemakers of America.  1954: black and white broadcasts became color broadcasts  Families enjoyed variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and daytime programs like Guiding Light. ”Soap Operas" were popular and helped advertisers sell many products to the homemakers of America.

Sitcoms  The Honeymooners  Father Knows Best  The Honeymooners  Father Knows Best

Sitcoms  Lassie  Ozzie and Harriet  I Love Lucy  Lassie  Ozzie and Harriet  I Love Lucy

Radio and Music  Johnny Cash, Elvis, Nat King Cole  Transistor radios  Johnny Cash, Elvis, Nat King Cole  Transistor radios