The 1950s Entertainment Relief
By: Tim Banzon
Introduction to the 1950s
The 50s was an era where there were many social tensions. And entertainment in the 50s was something people could escape to, the overall theme of this is "Entertainment Relief."
I Robot, Asimov
I, Robot is the 1950 collection of some of the robot stories that Asimov wrote between 1940 and 1950. These stories all existed in the same universe and some of the same characters showed up in several stories, like field testers Donovan and Powell and robopsychologist Susan Calvin. But in order to make it into a single book, Asimov added a frame story—these are all Susan Calvin's memories that are being told to an interviewer when she retires. So, in her memories, we see the entire history of robotics (a word that Asimov invented for "Liar!"). But the other key element that ties these robot stories together is the Three Laws, the laws that would keep robots from killing people. Because the Three Laws are so important, we've given them their own area in the "Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory" section; but let's quote them here:
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
The Terminator
Artifact 1- Music
Music of the 1950's reflected the beginnings of major social changes in the world and in the US, especially. It was also one of the things people could escape to with everyday problems, and it also carries out in todays generation. Rock 'n' Roll, R&B, and traditional pop ruled the charts while radio and television connected the country in our musical tastes and exposed the nation to a greater variety of artists and styles. Some of the first major superstars of music emerged from this decade with people like Elvis Presley dominating the airwaves and the minds of young girls.
Some of the famous musicians were Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis
Artifact 2- Sports
During the 1950’s more sports were developed as well as their popularity. The sport which was most important to people in the 1950’s was baseball. People looked to sports as a relief from all the problems that were going on in the world such as the Korean and Cold War. America grew very interested of sports during the 1950’s decade. For the first time sports were brought into peoples home by television. Also, the magazine Sports Illustrated was created that told of sport news and photographs. Baseball was the most popular sport during the time. The New York Yankees was the dominate baseball team that won nine World Series in the 1950’s decade. Professional football outdid college football with popularity. While the winter came Americans were grew fond of basketball.
Artifact 3- Comics
Comic Books was also the dawn of a new entertainment in books. Again its also one of the things people could escape from all their problems in the world.
A little bit about comics in the 50s:
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American Comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age Of Comic Books and an iinterregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the period from 1956 to circa 1970, and was succeeded by the Bronze and Modern Ages. A number of important comics writers and artists contributed to the early part of the era, including writers Stan Lee, Gardner Fox, John Broome, and Robert Kanigher, and artists Curt Swan, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Steve Ditko, Mike Sekowsky, Gene Colan, Carmine Infantino, John Buscema, and John Romita, Sr. By the end of the Silver Age, a new generation of talent had entered the field, including writers Denny O'Neil, Gary Friedrich, Roy Thomas, and Archie Goodwin, and artists such as Neal Adams, Herb Trimpe, Jim Steranko, and Barry Windsor-Smith.Cited Sources
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