Science during the Interwar Era (1920-1940)

Science during the Interwar Era 1920-1940

            World War I, The Great Depression and World War II are undeniably major events in the history of the world that brought with them great change during a period of three decades. 

            Despite the economic hardships for most Americans, the world of science and research marched forward with little repercussion from the financial fall out.  This also affected the educational system since there were few job opportunities; forcing individuals to pursue degrees in higher learning.  In a 20-year span, the high school graduation rate went from below 17% to over 50% by 1940. 

            While all areas of science saw innovation, there were a few which had significant developments.  In the medical field, we were introduced to penicillin, insulin, Vitamins C and E, and the beginning of immunizations in the 1920s.  Many of the Nobel Peace Prize winners of this decade studied physics which lead to advances in medical diagnosis abilities.  One such example is that of Karl Siegbahn’s was award for his dedication to the study of his field and specifically X-ray spectroscopy.  This has allowed diagnostic imaging to evolve in to multi-modality imaging; giving physicians more information with which to make a more accurate diagnosis.

            As the “Roaring Twenties” plummeted into the Great Depression for many Americans, there were several scientific discoveries involving media and computers.  We see the television progressing about the same time that transferring pictures capabilities were also in their infancy.  The technology aspect of scientific discovery begins to take shape with respect to computers and magnetic recording devices.  The medical community continued work with Polio and psychiatric patients as well as

            Transitioning from The Depression to World War II, we see how science has changed the way we operate when engaging in combat.  The discovery of radar for aircrafts and the atom bomb assist The United States’ military strategy on the battlefield.

            There is no doubt that the innovations during these 30 years have greatly impacted our culture.  There were many “firsts” in the world of scientific discovery.  Nearly a century later, it is quite amazing to see how far we have come and the expectations of what the future in science and research has in store is exciting.             

         Timeline of discoveries and notable events in science (1920-1940)

1920s

1920-Adhesive bandages                                                                   

1921-Vacuum hearing aid; Albert Einstein awarded the Nobel Prize for Theoretical Physics discoveries

1923-Ultracentrifuge (separates proteins)

1924-Television

1925-John T. Scopes went on trial for educating students on the “Theory of Evolution”

1926-Liquid fuel rocket used by Robert Goddard which has proven to advance the use of space crafts for astronomical exploration

1928-Penicillin and Iron Lung

1930s

1930-Freon is manufactured in mass amounts and used in refrigerators and air conditioners. Pluto is named the ninth planet in the solar system.

1931- Ernest O. Lawrence invents the cyclotron which is pivotal in the next decade when the atomic bomb is made, nylon is produced                                                                             

1932- RCA introduces the first cathode-ray television, first Polaroid camera

1933-The speed of light is measured as 186,000 miles per second, DuPont purchases Remington Arms to market their smokeless gunpowder, electron microscope

1935-Radar for aircrafts

1936-Magnetic recording

1937-IBM devises a "collating machine" that records information on punch cards. Without it, many future government programs would be impossible.

1938- The first "xerox" copy is made by Chester F. Carlson.

1939-Western Union introduces a system that allows six-by-seven-inch photographs to be sent by cable, frequency modulation (FM)

1940s

1941-The first disposable aerosol cans were developed

1942-The first turbo prop engine

1944-Holography was invented by Dennis Gabor. The technique created three-dimensional images.

1944 - 1945: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Senators Harley Kilgore and Warren Magnuson, and Vannevar Bush work together to create the National Research Foundation.

1945-The first atomic bomb was tested

1946-The first electronic digital computer (ENIAC); filled a 30′ x 60′ room

1947-Elmer’s Glue was introduced.

1948-Columbia records released the first LP (long playing) record, the transistor was developed by Bell Laboratories physicists

1949- Harold Lyons built the first atomic clock which was accurate to within a few seconds over fifty years.

References

1920's Science and Technology.  Accessed 25 Mar. 2017.  http://www.1920-30.com/science/

“A timeline of NSF history” National Science Foundation.  Accessed 25 Mar. 2017.https://www.nsf.gov/about/history/overview-50.jsp

 “Becoming Modern:  America in the `1920s”. America in class.  Accessed 25 Mar. 2017. http://americainclass.org/sources/becomingmodern/divisions/text5/text5.htm

From the 1940’s Decade – Famous Firsts and Inventions.  Accessed 25 Mar. 2017. http://1940s.org/from-the-1940s-decade-famous-firsts

"Medicine and Health in the 1930s: Overview." DISCovering U.S. History, Gale, 2003. Student Resources in Context.  Accessed 25 Mar. 2017. www.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2104240125/SUIC?u=clea26856&xid=6f7b5d0.

"The 1930s Science and Technology: Chronology." U*X*L American Decades. Retrieved March 25, 2017 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/culture-magazines/1930s-science-and-technology-chronology

“The Interwar Era 1920-1940 Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression.”  Accessed 25 Mar. 2017.  http://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education- magazines/interwar-era-1920-1940

Written Analysis 5

Written Analysis #5

            For this class I chose to examine the influence of sports on today’s youth and the value we place on success in the world of athletics.  This topic is of interest to me since my son is a high school senior who has been playing basketball since he was in second grade.  We live in a small town and rarely have students that play beyond their high school careers.  I have seen first-hand the positive and negative effects of the expectations of greatness from an athlete at such a young age. 

            Applying pop culture theories to this topic mostly involves the ideas of heroism, icons, youth, and myths.  Heroism and icons go hand in hand with the influences of past players of notoriety since the beginning of the sport.  Young athletes look up to these individuals as heroes rather than celebrities; attempting to dress, act and look like them from clothing to hair styles. 

            My journal analysis addressed the theory that hard work pays off in the world of sports.  The American Dream myth parallels this idea that if you have natural talent or practice relentlessly and dedicate your free time to improving your skill in a certain sport, you will succeed and possibly become the next Kobe Bryant.  This is only true for a few select individuals. 

            I had never really thought about differentiating between heroes and celebrities.  This section was particularly educational since it gave me pause and encouraged me to examine what separates these two types of individuals.  Studying this aspect further frustrated me to think that we allow and encourage our children to hold players to the same level of esteem as Mother Teresa.  I am not devaluing the work that the athletes put into their careers or the charitable contributions they make throughout their careers.  I could never accomplish what they have in my lifetime.  I have long held the belief that we should pay our educators and medical personal a higher wage than a professional football player because they are the real heroes that save and shape our lives.    

Written Analysis 4

Written Analysis #4

            The time clock reads 00:00 and a final score is displayed on the scoreboard.  A reporter waits by the locker room to talk to the star player of the game and at the end of the interview he smiles and says “I love you mom!”

            Most professional athletes have a common story behind their success.  Some enduring hardship to obtain their goal while others travelled a road paved with success from the very beginning.  Everyone started out young discovering a talent and love for their respective game.  As they developed these skills through youth leagues and other organized sporting events, some had coaches or parents who helped them along the way and idolized a former player, wishing they could “be like Mike”.  At some point in time, a professional organization recognized their talents and the individual moved into higher level of athleticism with increased expectations, notoriety and responsibility.

We tell our children to work hard, practice, and stay focused on their dream.  They are also encouraged to view current players as examples of success, study playing styles and even behaviors from which to refrain.  Unlike movies, songs, games or television shoes, there is not a concrete formula for becoming a professional athlete.  There seems to be a basic progression from youth to school organized sports transitioning into college and then the professional level.   

In years past, having a degree or attending college were not required for the pros.  However, this has changed with the NBA and NFL implementing rules that govern age and amount of time after high school graduation before one is eligible for the draft.  The National Football League requires player to have at least three years of college experience, while the basic rule of the National Basketball Association stipulates that only a year must pass after high school completion before entering the draft.  It is noted that athletes are encouraged to spend this year in collegiate level sports.  In contrast, MLB, NHL and ATP players are not mandated to have any additional education before beginning their professional careers. 

I hope that by learning more about the mandates for player eligibility into the world of professional sports, I will be able to see the reason behind these guidelines and promote these organizations encouragements for young people to seek their education while playing sports. 

Journal Article Analysis

Journal Article Analysis

Benjamin Phillips uses the TV series Friday Night Lights to evaluate how we view athletics by discussing the shows elements such as setting, stereotypes, and story line to support his observations.  Phillips initially explains the background of the show and how the plot plays out through each episode.  He also examines ratings, audience, critic opinions and theories behind the show’s failure relating it to how society perceives fictional sports stories and the motivation behind such perception.  “Quite certainly, the show—and football itself—isn’t ‘just football,’ as much as we may wish that it were.” (Phillips)  

The author includes the background of key characters and contrasts these with their realistic counterparts.  However, Phillips does point out that the show does not shy away from current important issues citing one episode involving a death by drug overdose.  He theorizes the lack of success for Friday Night Lights is possibly due to our need for the “good guy” to persevere.  “And this is the problem with fictionalized sports that attempt to portray realism. In sporting contests, the viewer is stuck with the result of the game, be it favorable or heartbreaking, morally fair or seemingly unwarranted. But, in fictionalized sports, the heroes do not have to lose.” (Phillips)

            This article discusses several elements of popular culture such as heroism, stereotypes, rituals, home, nostalgia, myths, youth, and television and how this correlates with the popularity of the show or lack thereof.  The setting and cast cover home, youth and the stereotypes of a small-town football team with the All-American athlete, the trouble maker player, the motivational coach and expected townspeople as fans.  Phillips notes how the show depicts the traditional pre-game festivities which speak to the ritualistic and nostalgic elements of popular culture.  Philips speaks specifically about television, heroism and myths.  “With this comparison, the show challenges the moral myth that hard work, sacrifice, and high character in sports are rewarded.” (Phillips)

            I believe that the author has an accurate theory of the show’s failure and his explanation of such is reasonable and can be supported by research into the viewer ratings and opinions.  “Winning is everything. If success comes through hard work, it is a nice side effect. Yet, failure in everyday life is stereotypically assumed to result from laziness and an unwillingness to work hard.” (Phillips) I agree with Phillips’ basic observation that Friday Night Lights  was unsuccessful because it did not depict the quintessential story of the home team winning every game or ending with a happy moment despite the challenge that was overcome in the first 40 minutes of the show.  “Despite Coach Taylor’s inspiring talk of victory for those who fight together, Friday Night Lights is essentially a show about losing” (Phillips)

Viewers who use television as a form of escapism need the euphoria of the positive outcome to fulfill the believe that good will always overcome evil and foster a sense of hope instead of helplessness.  Phillips comments that the writers’ choice to provide a more realistic view of small town sports could be a significant factor of the show’s cancellation.  The author explains how the producers changed their advertising and broadcasting strategies in addition to reevaluating their target audience in order to keep the show on the air.  One alteration could even be considered racially motivated.  “Despite the realism of the show, it failed to satisfy the network or garner high ratings. Bill Simmons, a sports columnist and fan of the show, remembers that white characters were added to the cast—likely under the assumption that a white audience would be more comfortable watching and cheering for white characters…” (Phillips) 

As a society, we have a fairy tale image of how life should be.  We pass this idea down to our children and alter it to fit our desires for them or what we wish for our own lives.  Friday Night Lights used the stereotypical situation to exemplify what happens when the dream doesn’t always come true.  Phillips discussion regarding the star player who becomes seriously injured and unable to play football ever again is something we should present to youth athletes as an example of how life does not always work out the way we would like.  A more realistic approach to sports among our children may save them from disappointment and a better understanding that a “hero” does not have to be the celebrated athlete, but possibly the scientist who discovers a cure for cancer. 

References

PHILLIPS, B. P. (2014). Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can Lose: Friday Night Lights and the Myth of the Rewarding of Morality in Sports. Journal Of Popular Culture, 47(5), 990-1004. doi:10.1111/jpcu.12184

Written Analysis #3

            Michael Jordan, Andrei Agassi, Babe Ruth, Walter Payton, Pele, Jack Nicklaus, and Mary Lou Retton; all these names are synonymous with greatness in the world of athletics.  Each of these individuals have demonstrated unparalleled skill in their respective sports by breaking records and maintaining excellence throughout their careers. 

Few have followed that could accomplish this level of distinction, thus elevating the status of those have excelled in their profession to an elite status.  Such a division creates a sense of heroism in regards to the professional athletes in our society.  While these individuals may not fit the classical definition of a hero by championing a noble cause, we have allowed the title to stand due to their athletic ability and relentless pursuit to be the best in the world with respect to their specific sport. 

The Cult of the Celebrity is most likely a more applicable description of how we view these well-known players.  As discussed in previous analyses, our society has put these players on a pedestal.  One demonstration of such adoration is evident in the salaries paid to them especially in comparison to those who serve in education or other avenues of public service.  Their accomplishments are recorded, celebrated and used as comparisons to all future athletes aspiring to the same level of fame.  We also allow and encourage our youth to look up to these figures pointing out their success and determination to be “the best” in their arena.  Admiring these attributes and the avenues by which we measure the greatness of these public figures can lead to obsession to the point of even placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves or our children. 

We have blurred the lines between true heroism and talent in the athletic arena.  Applying the theories of heroism and Cult of the Celebrity will allow me to differentiate between the true heroes of the athletic world and those who are merely an infatuation for their fans. 

Written Analysis #2

Written Analysis #2

            Winning the World Serious, Stanley Cup, Heavyweight Championship or any other athletic achievement is the ultimate demonstration that the sports world is steeped in rituals.  Over time, new titles and competitions have been created, but the recognition for winning has remained the same.  There can only be one victor and with this triumph is the desire to possess a tangible item that will signify to the world that a person or team is the best in a particular sport.   Some teams even have rituals based on ideas such as superstition, culture and religion.  We teach our players at a young age that there are certain things that have to happen in the course of a competition.  High school athletics exhibit rituals such as aftergame handshaking, pep assemblies, and pregame events to include the performances by a band or cheerleading team.  While some of these do not continue into professional sports, there is an expected behavior on game day. 

            Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, there exists a stereotype that African American males are better athletes than those of other races.  This has not always been the case, nonetheless it has developed into belief among many people in today’s society.  My son, who is a high school basketball player and bi-racial, asked me to watch the move “Glory Road”.  The movie is set in the 1960s and depicts the true story of Don Haskins and his predominantly black collegiate basketball team as they travel to the national championship game to win the title.  A financial donor to the university makes a statement that the black athletes are ruining basketball.  My son swiftly pointed out the irony of this comment compared to the racial make-up of the current basketball players. This paradigm shift is not unnoticed by today’s youth.  In my own experience of living in a predominately white community, I have overheard high school athletes make assumptions about the performance of the African American players on the opposing teams. 

By acknowledging stereotypes and learning about the rituals that are demonstrated and passed on to the young athletes today, I will be able to recognize these and dispel any negativity stemming from the stereotypes while supporting the celebration of winning.

Written Analysis #1-The value of sports for young athletes

Written Analysis #1

            Young athletes are bombarded with expectations of greatness and the promise of notoriety if they are lucky enough to make it into the world of professional sports.  With players now advertising everything from energy drinks to talcum powder to the newest car off the assembly line, it is apparent that the value placed on athletic ability has transformed over the years. 

            This topic encompasses several aspects of popular culture such as rites, personal appearance, myths and stereotypes.  However, a few are more relevant than others.  The media plays an important role in shaping the image that the general public has of these professional athletes; communicating it to the masses in both positive and negative ways.  As expected, it beckons the youth to view these talented individuals as heroes and look back on iconic figures and their contributions to the sports world. 

The media is not solely responsible for how our children perceive these competitions and their players.  As parents, we either encourage our children to participate in these activities or steer them away from the organized sports and cultivate talents they may have in other areas.  Their impressionable minds are in our hands to shape the perception they develop about what is ultimately important in life. 

            I hope that by exploring the different cultural aspects of this topic, I will have a better understanding behind each of them and why we allow so much personal, social, and economic value to be placed on athleticism.