Technology
1950's
Overview on Technology
The foundations of modern technology grew out of developments in electricity, communications, industrial research, and science in the first half of the twentieth century. During that period, technology became much more science-based, invention and innovation became much more deliberate, and the exploitation of electricity provided a new world of electronics for communications, entertainment, and information.
Inventions in the 50's.
Video Recorder, 1951
In the early days, film was the only medium available for recording television programs. Charles Ginsburg led the team that developed a new machine that could run the tape at a much slower rate because the recording heads rotated at high speed. This allowed the high-frequency response that was needed.
Solar Cell , 1954
In 1954, three American researchers named Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller, and Daryl Chapin designed a silicon solar cell. A solar cell is any device that directly converts the energy in light into electrical energy through the sun.
Transistor Radio, 1953
The transistor radio was useful because it was pocket sized, and you could listen to music anywhere. In 1954 they became the most popular electronic communication devices in history. But in the 1970s, they were replaced by boomboxes and cassette players.
Satellite, 1957
The satellite Sputnik was the first artificial satellite successfully placed in orbit around the Earth from the USA. This was during the space race between the US and the Soviets. Sputnik was visible from the ground at night.
Computer modem , 1958
Digital modems developed from the need to transmit data for North American air defense during the 1950s. Modems were used to communicate data over the public switched telephone network. A modem sends and recieves data between two computers.
First Heart Pacemaker, 1959
John Hopps invented the first cardiac pacemaker. If a heart stopped beating due to cooling, it could be started again by artificial stimulation using mechanical or electric means. However, this was too big to be implanted into the human body. So Wilson Greatbach made a smaller one.