1950s Technological Advances

During World War II, the United States, as well as other nations, invested great amounts of money into scientific and technological research. This funding led to many technological advances that continued to be used and improved upon after the war and into the 1950s. New inventions helped make American lives easier both at home and at work, and created new sources of entertainment that stimulated a wealthy society. The new discoveries in science and technology greatly improved the daily lives of Americans in the 1950s and helped create an affluent society with comfort and prosperity as the norm.

Many important scientific and technological discoveries were made in the 1950s that bettered the lives of Americans. An important scientific finding

was that of Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine, which helped save the lives of millions of American children. Research in this field led to the mass production of penicillin, the first ever antibiotic. This breakthrough contributed to keeping a safe and healthy society, and has saved the lives of millions of wounded or sick people in the United States since. Although seemingly trivial, new inventions such as washing machines, vacuums, microwaves, and electrical toothbrushes improved the lives of people at home and made work easier for housewives. Another hugely important invention was the transistor, a tiny device that controls the flow of electric current. Transistors improved the British-designed computers used during World War II, and allowed them to become faster and more reliable. Though mainly used by the government and the military, the new computers allowed for greater work and research that made jobs easier for those in government and military forces. All of these discoveries and inventions helped shape the new comfortable American society who could rely on technology to stay healthy and better the work environment.
Technological advancements as seen in the television and car industries display how new technology depicted the new American norm, spurred consumer culture, and created new activities and businesses.

People increasingly bought new television sets as they became more affordable after the war, and by the end of the 1950s, ninety percent of American households owned a television. People watched news networks, educational programs, sporting events and entertainment shows, but most importantly, they watched series that illustrated the new American standard. Shows such as Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best display the well-off, suburban, and happy white families that spread the idea that living a life of affluence was the normal and best way to live in America. These shows also portrayed the ‘ideal woman’ of the mother and housewife who stays at home, as well as avoided thought-provoking programs that criticized American society, as they would cause accusations and controversy. Another extremely important invention that shaped society were new and improved automobiles. The new usage of synthetic rubber created a better alternative to using hard to find natural rubber, which helped manufacture tires. With increased wealth and consumers ready to buy, companies consistently produced millions of cars, each new model with improved features that would symbolize status in the 1950s. The new car led to new industries and entertainment for American families, such as drive-in restaurants, drive-in movie theaters, and the ability to take a nice ‘cruise’ out on the country with friends or family. The television provided a source of entertainment for American families, as well as displayed social norms that shaped society. The car allowed for increased travel and created new sources of entertainment, as well as contributed to the affluent society of the 1950s. These inventions greatly affected the daily lives of Americans who now spent indoors watching shows and outdoors in

their cars, and encouraged the new norm of affluence and conformity.
In the 1950s, science and technology played a huge role in shaping the newly wealthy and material obsessed society of America. Although mainly experienced by white Americans, new inventions and discoveries improved the lives of millions by making work easier and life more enjoyable. This comfortable prosperity seen in the 1950s molded the picture of the perfect, blissful Americans and created new standards that led Americans to always want the best and newest appliances. This mindset, although materialistic, continued to spur new advancements in the scientific and technological fields. The new technology of the 1950s created an American culture that always sought for improvements in work and leisure, and provided people with science and technology that continue to be improved upon today.