11 Interesting Inventions From The 1950s That Still Affect Our Lives ...

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We have already made it to the 1950s. Post World War II, the world was very different. As we have already said before, war can inspire a lot of new technology and innovation. In this case, the remnants of WWII ushered in a host of new inventions, as well as new ideas technology should be used; centering the idea of improving one’s quality of life. 

If you were around in the 1950s you probably saw a tremendous boom in electrical devices, and gadgets in and around the house, i.e. why people around this time saw a huge influx in advertising (think Mad Men). Many people have looked back at the 50s as a golden era, a time period in which the quality of life drastically improved. 

1. Optical fiber  

The optical fiber would change the way we transmit information and communicate with each other over the years. Invented in 1956 by Harold Hopkins and Narinder Singh Kapany, of Imperial College, London, optical fiber is used in fiber optic communication. Much superior to other forms of communication, optical fiber transmitters are capable of sending up to 10 billion bits of information per second. 

2. The UNIVAC I

A far cry from its later descendant, the first microchip was still a momentous moment. Created by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce, Kilby technically created the microchip first with Noyce making the necessary improvements and changes, with the first working chip to appear in 1958. It consisted of just one transistor, three resistors, and one capacitor. 

10. The modem 

The original modem came into existence due to the demands of air defense in the United States. The first modems were in fact used to connect terminals across various radar sites, air bases, and command control centers. They were the first to be mass-produced. Remember those days of the dreaded dial-up modem? Thank goodness, they do not exist anymore. 

11. The credit card

Hate them or love them, credit cards for sure changed the way we purchase big-ticket items at home. It makes in an era where true Western consumerism was born. The first credit card to enter the market was the Diners Club Cart. However, it was American Express who truly brought the idea home offering you to pay your debt over time and free-range shopping. 

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Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTByDonovan Alexander

After 5 years in the start-up world collaborating with companies like Google and Skoda Auto, the award-winning marketer Donovan Alexander restarted his career. He has combined his passion for artificial intelligence, fashion, design, and technology to begin a new journey as an aspiring multidisciplinary designer and technology writer. Throughout his career, he has authored over 300 articles, worked on 34 advertising campaigns for international brands, and curated 4 major art projects. Donovan is fascinated with how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and 3D printing are changing the way we design and engineer our everyday products. With a creative studio based in the heart of Europe, Donovan loves sharing the stories of the people and organizations engineering change around the world.

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