Decade - 1950s

August 2, 1956 fell on a Thursday.

The Space Race was fueled by the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was driven by political and military competition, as each country sought to demonstrate its technological superiority and establish dominance in space exploration. The launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957 served as a catalyst for the Space Race.

The 1950s atomic test site in the Pacific is known as the "Bikini Atoll." It was the location of numerous nuclear tests conducted by the United States during the mid-20th century as part of the nuclear arms race. The testing had lasting environmental and health impacts on the local inhabitants and ecosystem.

Sputnik was the first artificial Earth satellite, sent into orbit by Russia. The long-retired Sputnik rocket that was used to lift off the Sputnik 1, 2, and 3 payloads was an unmanned orbital carrier rocket (8K71PS) from the R-7 family of rockets, similar to America's (also retired) Vanguard and Juno I rockets.

Yes, flashlights were available in the 1950s. They were commonly used as portable light sources powered by batteries or hand-crank mechanisms, similar to how they are used today.

August 13 1950 was a Sunday.

Sputnik was the first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union in 1957, sparking fears of Soviet technological superiority in the US. This event led to a renewed focus on science education, research, and the space race between the US and the Soviet Union. Sputnik's launch ultimately spurred the creation of NASA and the development of various space exploration programs.

In the US, "Stop, drop, and cover" was introduced to schoolchildren nationwide to instill a sense of awareness of the issue of "civil defense".

Also, the aircraft industry embraced the age of rocketry, which created a lot of jobs and improved interstate travel. It also led us into the Cold War and the Space Race at the same time.

Sputnik was the first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union in 1957. Its launch marked the beginning of the space age and sparked the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States. Sputnik's successful mission also had significant political, scientific, and technological implications.

Some notable inventions and inventors of the 1950s include the credit card (invented by Frank McNamara), the first successful organ transplant (Dr. Joseph E. Murray), the first video tape recorder (Charles Ginsburg), and the first solar cell (Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin, and Calvin Fuller). Additionally, Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine in the 1950s, significantly impacting public health.

Just incase you did not already know, the only reason for the space race in the 1950s and the moon landings was to demonstrate which country could throw the largest hydrogen bomb, the farthest distance, the most accurately, without actually having to throw one! Once that was accomplished, the race was over.

According to its'Wikipedia entry, a total of 67 countries participated in IGY.

Prior to the 1950s, scientists had limited access to advanced technology that enabled deep-sea exploration. Sonar technology and submersibles were not widely available, making it difficult to study the ocean floor in detail. Additionally, the vast size and depth of the ocean made it a challenging environment to explore and understand.

DNA was discovered as the genetic material in the 1950s by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. They proposed the double helix structure of DNA, which revolutionized the field of genetics and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology.

Watson and Crick are known for discovering the structure of DNA, not the "secret of life." They did not walk into a pub making such a claim.

The discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in the 1950s revolutionized biotechnology. This breakthrough laid the foundation for understanding how genetic information is stored and passed on, leading to advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Uranium was found in the northwest region of New Mexico in 1950 by a Navajo sheepherder named Paddy Martinez. This discovery eventually led to a mining boom in the area.

Jomo Kenyatta was a prominent Kenyan anti-colonialist leader in the 1950s. He played a significant role in the fight for Kenya's independence from British colonial rule. Kenyatta later became the country's first Prime Minister and then its President.

In the 1950s, a typical television set could weigh anywhere from 60 to 150 pounds, depending on the size and technology of the model.

Butch wax! No, seriously, that was a brand name for a type of hair treatment that would make a crew cut stand straight up.

In the 1950s, hairspray typically cost around 50 cents to a dollar per can. The price could vary depending on the brand and quality of the product.

Yes, "Grease" was released as a musical in 1971, and later adapted into a film in 1978. The story is set in the 1950s and celebrates the music and culture of that era.

In the 1950s, silver was commonly used in photography for developing film and printing photographs. It was also used in making jewelry, silverware, and coins. Additionally, silver was used in industrial applications such as in electronics and for producing mirrors and reflective surfaces.