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  1. JwRosenthal Dec 14, 2019

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    So I am a historian by education (architectural historian to be specific), but like all historians we learn to follow threads and connect dots. There have been times in our history that changed paradigms (including the coining of the term “paradigm” and exploration of understanding scientific revolution versus evolution in the Book Structures of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn in 1962).
    In a recent thread about Leica cameras, I recalled the creation of the M-mount lens in 1957 and how that simple bayoneted system of lens change and the new camera form factor- revolutionizing photography. Nikon soon followed with their F system SLR bayonet mount camera in 1964- springboarding off of Leica’s success.
    Omega introduced the Speedmaster, the Seamaster and Railmaster in 1957.
    Hasselblad introduced the 500 series camera in 1957 (and although an evolution of the 1000f camera system of the decade prior- introduced new technologies that revolutionized the industry.
    RCA records introduced their first Stereophonic records in 1957.
    Technologically speaking- 1957 seems to be a fairly pivotal year in history for the introduction of new technologies and products to the mass markets. Can anyone else think of milestone introductions for that year that changed the paradigm for an industry or scientific field?
    Obviously The timing of Kuhn’s book was in direct response to a shift in technology and science at this time. And lest we forget, the space program was also ramping up around this time too.
    Any scientific/ technology historians here that can shed light on what was going on during this post-war period that led to an almost simultaneous release of new technologies around the globe? I find the timing around the specific year- 1957, very intersting.
     
    Edited Dec 14, 2019
  2. Canuck Dec 14, 2019

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  3. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Dec 14, 2019

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    Well, I was born in that year, though will (grudgingly) admit that the correlation does not necessarily imply causation. :D
     
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  4. gefmey Dec 14, 2019

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    Actually Audio Fidelity issued the first commercial stereo records in 1957. RCA followed in 1958.
     
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  5. JwRosenthal Dec 14, 2019

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    Excellent- we add Sputnik (we won’t talk about the failed US rocket)
    Ultrasound
    First US Nuclear power plant

    Honestly- if someone is looking for a doctoral thesis on the history of technology- this seems to be the pivotal year for some reason.
     
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  6. JwRosenthal Dec 14, 2019

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    This is the imperative for checking sources- my source said ‘57 for RCA- which was Wikipedia...which we know isn’t always correct. I also always had ‘57 in my head as the first FM stereo broadcast...but have not checked that fact.
     
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  7. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Dec 14, 2019

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    I believe I tried to eat a beetle in the garden. It is a distinctly unpleasant memory.
     
  8. rkman11 Dec 14, 2019

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    Not a scientific/technological breakthrough but 1957 for me is always notable for the release of Kerouac’s seminar novel On The Road.
     
  9. gefmey Dec 14, 2019

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    Also the year of the Milan Design XI Triennale.
    RCA announced their intention in 1957 but first RCA records did not come out until 58
     
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  10. JwRosenthal Dec 14, 2019

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    On the Road speaks to the larger social paradigm shift that was happening at the time which led to the cultural revolution of the 60’s- which can be tied to the technological revolution I am thinking about in the 50’s- it’s all connected.
     
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  11. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Dec 14, 2019

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    On a more serious note, in 1957 the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘Common Market’. Which got me to thinking along the lines of that period being something of a peak of post-war industrial development and cooperation, which may have in turn helped to foster at least a subset of the interesting cluster of technological advances.
     
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  12. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Dec 14, 2019

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  13. OMEGuy Dec 14, 2019

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    Looking back at this time after WW2 (while I was born later) it was the time, when mankind really started to poison the climate of this nice little planet.
     
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  14. Vercingetorix Spam Risk Dec 14, 2019

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    International Geophysical Year.
     
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  15. JwRosenthal Dec 14, 2019

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    Well, some would argue the advent of burning coal during the industrial revolution was the beginning of that but I get your point in terms of ramping up to break-neck speed- and thus the creation of the EPA a decade and a half later
     
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  16. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Dec 14, 2019

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    Was about to say :thumbsup: ... The industrial revolution was when again? The 1800s?
     
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  17. gefmey Dec 14, 2019

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    Or we could take it to 1776 and Watt's improvement on the Newcomen engine.
     
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  18. OMEGuy Dec 14, 2019

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    [​IMG]
     
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  19. JwRosenthal Dec 14, 2019

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    All on the same page- some is us just pulling the time table back further on our destruction of our planet.
     
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  20. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Dec 14, 2019

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    The 1957 Ford Thunderbird was the first mass-produced car with an optional supercharged V-8 engine.