360What happened in 1955?
7 moments from 1955 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- History · 12 April 1955
The Salk polio vaccine is declared safe and effective
On 12 April 1955, scientists announced that Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was safe and effective, after a trial involving about 1.8 million children in the United States. Polio had paralysed tens of thousands of children every year. Vaccination began at once. With Albert Sabin's oral vaccine and a global campaign, wild polio now survives in only two countries.
- On this day · 17 July 1955
Disneyland opens in California
On 17 July 1955, Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, a theme park with lands built around stories and characters. The opening day was chaotic, with heat and crowds, but the park became a huge success and inspired theme parks around the world.
- On this day · 31 August 1955
A model solar-powered car is demonstrated
On 31 August 1955, the carmaker General Motors showed the 'Sunmobile', a 38 cm model car powered by solar cells, at an exhibition in Chicago. It was a small demonstration, but it hinted at the future. Solar power is now one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity in the world.
- On this day · 25 October 1955
The first microwave oven for the home goes on sale
On 25 October 1955, the American company Tappan introduced the first microwave oven for home kitchens, priced at about $1,300. The idea came from Percy Spencer, a radar engineer who noticed a chocolate bar melting in his pocket. Microwaves are now in most homes.
- 12 April 1955 · from The Salk polio vaccine is declared safe and effective
The vaccine is declared safe and effective
- 1955 · from The 1950s: DNA, Everest and the space age
Polio vaccine approved
- 1955 · from Mendeleev presents the periodic table of the elements
Element 101 is named mendelevium