Chapter 6: Pennsylvania Academy of Science in the 1950s

Written by RCoxe on January 2, 2025

Life for the Average Pennsylvanian

The 1950s were a boom time for the average Pennsylvanian.  While most of the rest of the world was recovering from World War II damage and the political effects, the United States was booming.  Part of this boom including an increase in the suburbs of the larger towns and cities, where families could have a large yard and affordable house.  Cars, televisions, and appliances in the house became a symbol of success.  Also during this time the Cold War with the Soviet Union and duck and cover drills were common.  The movement for Civil Rights was beginning as well as Rock and Roll as a music form started.

The State of Science in Pennsylvania

In 1955, the University of Pennsylvania continued on its success with the ENIAC computer and developed the UNIVAC I, the first commercially produced computer in the United States.  This computer led to computer being more accessible.  In medicine, Dr. Jonas Salk, of the University of Pittsburgh, developed the Polio vaccine, which helped to eradicate the disease and freed people from the worry of getting the disease.  Scientists at Westinghouse Electric, in Pittsburgh, PA, developed nuclear reactor technology, which lead to the construction of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the first atomic nuclear power plant in the United States.

Changes in the Pennsylvania Academy of Science

During the 1950s the Academy continued to pursue having minimum requirements for science teachers to meet in Pennsylvania through resolutions and meeting with state officials.  The proposed requirements were finally accepted in 1959, after a 25 year effort by the Academy.  The requirements went into effect in 1963.  

Annual Meetings in the 1950s

The locations of meetings are given below, however, not much is known regarding the highlights of the meetings.  However, there is more information about the summer meetings.

26th Annual Meeting – April 6-8, 1950 (Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, PA): There is no information on this meeting.

1950 Summer Meeting – This meeting was held at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa but there is no information as to the date or accomplishments.

27th Annual Meeting – March 22-24, 1951 (Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA): There is no information this meeting.

1951 Summer Meeting – The meeting was held in Uniontown, Pa, but there is no information on the date or accomplishments.

28th Annual Meeting – April 10-11, 1952 (Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA): There is no information on this meeting.

1952 Summer Meeting – August 1, 1952: An Executive Committee meeting was held in Lock Haven, Pa.

29th Annual Meeting – April 2-4, 1953 (Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA): The address was given by M. Graham Netting of the Carnegie Museum on the “The Conscience of a Conservationist.”  A symposium on Stream Pollution Control in Pennsylvania was held.

1953 Summer Meeting – August 7-8, 1953 (Thiel College, Greenville, PA): On August 7th tours were given at the Greenville Steel Car Co., Spenzer Container Corporation, Greenville Tubes, and Damascus Tube Co.  The dinner address was given by Dr. O.E. Jennings of the Carnegie Museum on “The Pymatuning Region.”  On August 8th a tour was given of the Pymatuning Region by Dr. C.A. Tryon, Director of the Pymatuining Labratory of the University of Pittsburgh.

30th Annual Meeting – April 15-17, 1954 (Pennsylvania College for Women, Pittsburgh, PA (Chatham University): The main address was given by William Mayer-Oakes, of the Carnegie Museum, on “Upper Ohio Valley Archeology.”  A symposium on Industrial Health was also held.

1954 Summer Meeting – August 6-7, 1954 (The Westtown School, Westtown, PA): On August 6th tours were held at Wyeth Labratories in West Chester, Pa and the Foote Mineral Company in Exton, Pa.  The dinner program was given by Mr. Clayton Hoff on the “The Brandywine Watershed.”  On August 7th a tour was given of the Brandywine Watershed by Mr. Clayton Hoff and his staff, in conjuction with the Conservation Committee of the Academy.

31st Annual Meeting – 1955 (Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA): The address for the meeting was given by Horace G. Richards of the Department of Geology and Paleontology at the Academy of Natural Sciences on “To the Red Sea and Ethiopia.”  The symposium was on “Early Pennsylvania Scientists.”

1955 Summer Meeting – August 5-6, 1955 (PSU-State College, State College, PA): On August 5th tours were held at the Titan Metal Manufacturing Company in Bellefonte, the Hetzel Union Building, and the Cryogenic Laboratory at Penn State University.  Dinner was held at the University and an address was given by Adrian O. Morse on “The Pennsylvania State University.”  On August 6th tours were held at the Crystal Structure Laboratory, Nuclear Reactor, Trial Flower Gardens, the Dairy Research Breeding Center, and the Mineral Industries Museum.

32nd Annual Meeting – 1956 (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA): The address was given by Dr. H.K. Schilling, Dean of the Pennsylvania State University Graduate School on “Science is Human.”  A symposium on Triassic Diabase was also given.

1956 Summer Meeting – August 3-4, 1956 (Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA): On August 3rd a tour was given at the Friedensville Mine of the N.J. Zinc Company.  The dinner program was given by Col. John Lee of the US Army Corps of Engineers on “Operation Noah.”  On August 4th a tour was given of the buildings of the Moravian community, the Lehigh Valley Cooperative Plant in Allentown, and the Lehigh Valley Cooperative Breeding farm.

33rd Annual Meeting – April 20-22, 1957 (Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, PA): There is no information on this meeting.

1957 Summer Meeting – August 2-3, 1957 (Honesdale, PA): On August 2nd tours were given of the hydro-electric plant (Kimbles Dam of Lake Wallenpaupack) of the PA Power and Light Company, Decker Marsh, Greeley Village, the suspension bridge at Lackawaxen, and the Lackawaxen River Valley.  There is no information on the dinner.  On August 3rd the dam site on Dyberry Creek, Bethany Village, Pleasant Mount Fish Hatchery, the Stonebridge Lion Exhibit, and White Mills Dorfinger Glass Museum were toured.

34th Annual Meeting – April 3-5, 1958 (Lafayette College, Easton, PA): The address at this meeting was given by Kirtley F. Mather, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University, on “Science and Scientists in America Today.”

1958 Summer Meeting – August 1-2, 1958 (Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA): On August 1st tours were given of the Shippingport Atomic Energy Power Plant, the Ohio and Beaver River valleys, and the Old Economy Village in Zelienople.  The dinner was held at Old Economy Village where the play “Man’s Reach” was viewed.  On August 2nd a tour of a mushroom farm and the mines in the VanPort Limestone were given.

35th Annual Meeting – March 26-28, 1959 (Spring Mountain House, Schwenksville, PA): The address was given by W.F.G. Swann, Director of the Bartol Research Foundation of The Franklin Institute, on “The New Era in Science.”

1959 Summer Meeting – August 7-8, 1959 (Mansfield State Teachers College, Mansfield, PA): On August 7th tours were given of Scott Industries, the Corey Creek Watershed, Mergenthaler Linofilm Corporation, and the PA Grand Canyon.  Dinner was held at the First Methodist Church in Mansfield, PA and there were two programs.  One was on the Corey Creek Watershed and the other on the “History of Glass” by Corning Glass Works of Corning, NY.  On August 8th a tour was given of the Corning Glass Center in Corning, NY. 

 

Go to Chapter 7: Pennsylvania Academy of Science in the 1960s