1945 Pop Culture & Fun Facts​

• Radio was the main source of entertainment and news.

• The Academy Awards ceremony was broadcast nationally for the first time on ABC radio.

• Billboard introduced its very first album chart, shaping the future of music rankings.

• Abbott and Costello released The Naughty Nineties, featuring the longest filmed version of their legendary “Who’s on First?” routine.

• Chemist Earl W. Tupper developed what would become Tupperware, revolutionizing food storage.

• The federal minimum wage was 40 cents per hour.

• The iconic Slinky made its debut at Gimbels in Philadelphia, selling 400 units in just 90 minutes.

• The first atomic bombs were developed and used, marking the beginning of the atomic age.

• Grand Rapids became the first city in the world to fluoridate its public water supply.

• Raymond Libby developed oral penicillin, advancing modern medicine.

• Percy Spencer invented the microwave oven, transforming kitchens forever.

• The world’s first general-purpose electronic computer, ENIAC, was completed.

• Major companies including Ashley Furniture, Kaiser Permanente, Mattel, Minute Maid, and U-Haul were founded.

1945 Inventions & First Appearances​​​​

• The Slinky toy debuted at Gimbels in Philadelphia, selling 400 units in 90 minutes.

• The first atomic bombs were developed and used.

• Grand Rapids, Michigan becomes the first community to fluoridate its water supply.

• Raymond Libby develops oral penicillin.

• ​Perry Spencer invented the microwave.

• The world's first general purpose electronic computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator Analyzer and Computer (ENIAC), was completed.

• Ashley Furniture, Kaiser Permanente, Mattel, Minute Maid, and U-Haul were founded.