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