Photography In The 1950s

Let’s go back in time. Let’s think how we get all these amazing pictures that hold so many memories to us. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Who invented photography? What did they do to get it started? George Eastman was a pioneer of modern day photography.

Television wasn’t a product that was owned by the public until the 1950s, the essential technology was created earlier in the century. John Logie Baird started constructing a functional television shortly after the World War I in the South Coast of England. In 1924, he finally made progress when he transmitted a flickering image across the space of several feet, then in 1925, he created the first real television picture in grayscale, with the use of a ventriloquist 's dummy and then a human face. The TV was brought into the eyes of many people in 1926, when John Logie Baird presented the device in presence of 50 scientists. John’s main goal was to provide a new source of entertainment which can help bring families together. His studies in engineering acted as a catalyst to what seemed to be an impossible invention.

During the 1920s there were were many new artists. Two famous artists were Georgia O’Keeffe and Edward Hopper. Both artists had very different styles of art. Georgia O’Keeffe often painted close up pictures of flowers showing tiny details. She used bright colors. "Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower," O 'Keeffe said. "l want them to see it whether they want to or not." This challenged the everyday life of Americans. In the 1920s women did whatever they wanted. The “Roaring Twenties” was the first time women spoke out and broke traditional beliefs. O’Keeffe painted what she wanted to paint. She used her own mind and thought of her own ideas. This was her way of showing independence.

Racial confrontations were present in the 1950s, sometimes escalating into full-scale anti-black riots. Most of white Americans in 1950s ignored larger patterns of racial and political repression. because at the time, the media was not responding to any of them, creating the ignorant culture of the 1950s remembered as innocent. That decade was built on illusion perpetuated by the entertainment media. Coontz states the fact that these humorous television programs did not reflect the reality, but rather what, at the time, was the should be style of life for the white family. Those programs were used as a parenting tool and shaped the American culture, even more that same culture brought a social atmosphere in favor of males and in disfavor of the females. As a final point, the media is responsible for the 1950s decade's image of the perfect American life, total

During the 1950’s the downward spiral of the circulation of black newspapers began. For the black press, the 50’s introduced a more educated and opinionated audience, as well as an increase in funding from white owned businesses for advertisements. From this, African American journalist were forced to adopt a more conservative tone, which was foreign from the much more common,

The evolution of art throughout the 1960s in America introduced new styles of art into the world and had large political relevance in accordance to the Civil Rights Movement and unjust gender discrimination. The American arts industry is one of the most widely recognized and most successful industries to date and much of its success is owed to the Civil Rights Movement that occurred during the 1960s. During this period of time, African Americans were extremely disadvantaged and oppressed. America was segregated and blacks and whites had a different set of rights under what were called ‘Jim Crow’ laws. Not only was there racial oppression, however, but women were also oppressed and viewed as inferior to men. This started a huge movement of the arts which prompted changes in unjust laws and legislation.

this number hit 120,000. Between 1910 and 1940 there was a bloom of black artistic expression this period of time was known as the Harlem Renaissance. This period of time had black culture everywhere from music, literature to stage performing and arts, this was only one of the great migrations pros.

As World War II came to an end, the United States entered the 50s. This decade became a major influential time that brought many cultural and societal changes. Categories such as the economy, where a boom in new products increased, the technology world which incorporated new medicines and computers, entertainment when the television became popular and the overall lifestyles that Americans adapted to. All of these topics reshaped and created several advancements throughout society during the 1950s.

​The Harlem Renaissance was a world-changing span of years that significantly changed culture, lives, and history forever for African Americans, along with the rest of the world. Well known leaders from this time period include, but are not limited to, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, and Marcus Garvey. All are people who contributed their thoughts and ideals in getting African-American culture to the forefront of society. They all engaged in something bigger than any one person, place, or thing, a movement that would change history. This certainly contributed to making the 20’s a very important time in history, where change was common and new ideals came to light. Almost like Philadelphia being the birthplace of America, Harlem became the

African Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States. They have endured severe oppression and racism for many years and suffered under Jim Crow Laws as well which were created specifically

The Gilded Age was an age that was directly dependent on the end of the Civil War. Jazz was a major parts of what the 1920s and it helped African Americans realize the where they are at that moment was not what they had to stay at. The end of the Civil War made most of the American populace believe that the lives of slaves would change drastically. American slaves were granted freedom by order of the President and the Congress. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America freed the slaves in America. The 14th Amendment gave the slave citizenship. Yet even with these assurances all did not work out, as it should have. Segregation was the social structure that took the place of slavery throughout America, contrary

Though I pride myself to be a student of history, I sadly know little about the life of Fredrick Douglass. His essay, “Learning to Read”, beautifully captured the significance of knowing how to read, and the obstacles that Douglass had to navigate through in order to learn how to read. Visiting the African American History museum’s exhibit on Fredrick Douglass elected me further my knowledge about the life of Fredrick Douglass, and acted as a nice companion to his essay.

The 21century radio is a melting pot of different creeds and nationalities; however, the social norms that we are accustomed to have not always been widely accepted. The African-American community has been suppressed and barely heard throughout the radio airways in America. As early as the 1920s, African-Americans have been behind the scenes in popular music on radio. For many, the idea of change introduced into society gave way to inevitable backlash from others who didn’t agree with African-Americans having a voice on the radio. This continued into the late 70s, according to the (National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters [NABOB]); there were “30 African-American owned broadcast facilities in the United States. Today there

The Harlem Renaissance was a period of great cultural growth in the black community. It is accepted that it started in 1918 and lasted throughout the 1930s. Though named the ‘Harlem’ Renaissance, it was a country-wide phenomenon of pride and development among black Americans, the likes of which had never existed in such grand scale. Among the varying political actions and movements for equality, a surge of new art appeared: musical, visual, and even theatre. With said surge, many of the most well-known black authors, poets, musicians and actors rose to prevalence including Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Louis Armstrong, and Eulalie Spence. The development of many unique styles of such art was also started due to the Harlem Renaissance, much

Developments that occurred in the early 20th century deeply impacted the formation of the United States. A strong sense of national identity and unity emerged over this time period. Advancements in technology dramatically improved the American lifestyle. The melting pot in the country blossomed through the influx of immigrants especially in the 1900’s. However, the economy suffered a significant downfall that devastated the lives of countless people. Overall, the cultural trends and economic situations experienced in the United States essentially affected American identity by resulting in a diversified nation.