Marshall Garcia
Per.5 American History
Mrs. Hartman
April 8th
Technology’s growth from 1957-present Our civilization mainly revolves around technology such like phones, computers etc. I think technology plays a big part in our world’s life. A lot of our careers now use a lot of technology, our space program has space ships that are controlled by computers same thing with our airports. Security is starting to get into using computers now to help them in tasks. The most important career that really impacts us all is technology in the medical field. If it wasn’t for technology then we wouldn’t have found a cure for a lot of serious diseases that have been discovered throughout history. The bottom line is technology is a necessity and everyone needs it to get around places and to help them live. It all started with the Russians launching the satellite named Sputnik on October 4th 1957 (http://www.radiochemistry.org/history/nuclear_timeline/50s.html), but since then we have created new and improved gadgets that everyone uses. October 4th 1957 the Soviets launched a satellite into space named Sputnik, this was the first satellite ever launched into space. The reason they launched it was because we were in an arms race with other countries, and we were trying to be the first country to advance in technology. The satellite was silver in color, about the size of a beach ball, and weighed a mere 184 pounds (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/sputnik-impact-on-america.html). This was a huge step for humanity and started all the genius ideas we have today. At this point in time Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, and he did not react when Sputnik was launched reason being was, because it helped him launch the principle called freedom of space, the idea that outer space belonged to everyone, thereby allowing satellite flights over foreign countries. By 1957, a new wave of technology was at hand for the United States. The country was creating an interstate highway system, the suburbs were growing, families with two cars and color televisions were becoming the normal life of American citizens. The Russian satellite forced the United States to place a new national priority on research science, which led to the development of microelectronics. President Dwight D. Eisenhower ran for president in 1952 for the Republican nomination for president, hoping his wartime service as the supreme allied commander in Europe would prove his ability to lead and defend America. His quote states “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office”. The outgoing president, Harry S. Truman, had been forced to recognize that the wartime alliance with the Soviets had collapsed, and conflicts between the two superpowers were growing worse. His quote states “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no