120 likes | 279 Views
American History Chapter 2 6-3. The Television Age. TV in the American Home. TV development began in the 1920s. 1945 – 1950: 5 million TVs had been sold to Americans. 1959: 40 million Americans owned a TV set. Impact of television: TV stars like Lucille Ball became American icons.
E N D
American History Chapter 26-3 The Television Age
TV in the American Home • TV development began in the 1920s. • 1945 – 1950: 5 million TVs had been sold to Americans. • 1959: 40 million Americans owned a TV set. • Impact of television: • TV stars like Lucille Ball became American icons. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvoz7cpUaZ4
Impact of TV Continued • Politicians were able to enhance their images with the voters. • By 1960 TV became the major means of advertising. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDk_TEM257k
TV Entertainment • The Milton Berle Show was a comedy/music combo. • Soap operas, crime dramas, & game shows began in the 50s. • TV Guide was published to aid viewers. • Rock & roll made American Bandstand a favorite for the youth of America.
Dick Clark American Bandstand
Concerns Over TV • Possible impacts on children: • Effects of violent content. • The TV industry created its own standards: • Law enforcement would be shown in a positive light. • Criminals would always be caught and punished.
Other Advancements in the 1950s • The transistor was developed to replace vacuum tubes. • Smaller than tubes. • Used in radios, TVs, computers.
Computer Technology • 1951: UNIVAC - 1st computer made for commercial use. • Predicted the outcome of the 1952 election. • IBM produced computers: 30,000 lbs./$50,000. • Integrated circuits: Several transistors on one board, developed in 1958.
The Fight Against Polio • 1952: 57,000 new cases of polio in the U.S. • Jonas Salk developed the 1st polio vaccine in 1952. • Salk became a national hero.
1950s Cultural Changes • U.S. emerged as the world’s greatest economic power. • Americans produced 1/3 of the world’s goods & services. • A growing population sparked the housing market. • Massed produced communities called Levittowns sprang up. • Auto sales were up.
New Culture Continued • There was a population shift towards the Sunbelt: • Because of air conditioning people moved to warmer climates. • The Interstate Highway System was built during the 50s. • Cars/trucks became the main means of ground transportation. • The Beat generation: Stars who rebelled against social norms. Dean Brando Elvis
Criticisms • John Kenneth Galbraith-felt Americans only cared about their own wealth • Some felt the 1950s was a loss of individuality