Entertainment Firsts of the Fifties Quiz

Answer: "Peanuts" comic strip

Monopoly was first marketed in the 1930s, while Etch A Sketch and Lite Brite were from the 60s. However there WAS one fun item in the toy/hobby field first made available to the public in 1950 - Silly Putty.

The comic strip created by Charles Schulz (originally called "Li'l Folks") that starred "Charlie Brown" (called "Chuck" by "Peppermint Patty") has stood the test of time and has entertained several generations. The last newspaper cartoon was published shortly before the creator's death in 2000. But even today, when people say they are "doing the happy dance", they are likely referring to the character "Snoopy" (beagle extraordinaire).

Answer: baseball cards

Sports are a great source of entertainment for many people and if you want to purchase "collectibles" for baseball, then Topps is your "go to" company. They produced their first baseball sets (red and blue back series) in 1951. Two years later they started inserting jokes/cartoons into Bazooka (which they also owned) gum packages. I personally didn't think too much about the cards back then, as I used them for "noisemakers" clipped onto the spokes of my bicycle tires, but I certainly "rue the day" now!

Answer: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" was the longest running sitcom in U.S. history until it was overtaken by "The Simpsons" in 2004. Teen idol Ricky Nelson went on to have hits such as "Traveling Man", "Hello, Mary Lou" and "Garden Party". With all due respect to Lucy and Desi Arnaz, this program could arguably be considered the first "reality show" on television.

Answer: Playboy

Ah yes. Entertainment takes many forms. Marilyn Monroe was the very first centerfold/cover for Hugh Hefner's "Playboy". If asked (in public situations), most men would say that the reason they purchased the magazine was "for the articles". "Sports Illustrated" was launched in 1954, but didn't start publishing swimsuit photoshoots until ten years later.

Answer: The Fellowship of the Ring

"The Hobbit" (otherwise known as "There and Back Again") was published in 1937 - an amazing seventeen years before the "official" initial book in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was written. Hardly anyone would deny that Tolkien was the ultimate "first" in the fantasy epic genre.

Answer: Disneyland

The opening of Disneyland was televised by the ABC network. The hosts of the broadcast were Ronald Reagan, Art Linkletter and Bob Cummings. The estimated TV audience was around 90 million - an incredibly high number given the fact that not everyone in America had television sets in those days. The general admission that year was ONE U.S. dollar per entrant.

Answer: Around the World in 80 Days

This film starred David Niven as Phileas Fogg who, on a bet, travelled around the world using various methods of transportation - but most notably, in a balloon. In the non-English released versions of this movie, Cantinflas was billed as the starring actor. Regardless, with the help of the acting abilities of Shirley MacLaine, this movie made it to number one in 1956.

Answer: The Cat in the Hat

Theodore Geisel is the birth name of the author Dr. Seuss. After "The Cat in the Hat" was written, it became a "first reader" in many primary/elementary schools in North America, replacing the overly simplified (and perhaps boring for young imaginative minds) "Dick and Jane" (and Spot) stories.

Answer: Pizza Hut

McDonald's first location opened in 1955, but they are known for their "golden arches". Dairy Queen opened in Illinois in 1940. In-N-Out began in 1948.

Pizza Hut was started by two university students in a building which did NOT have a red roof, but that was changed with the expanded franchise operations. Fast food trivia enthusiasts might also be interested to know that the first White Castle burger joint also had its origins in Wichita in 1921. What is it about the state of Kansas??

Answer: Barbie

Ruth Handler designed the Barbie Doll based on a German creation called "Lilli". Ruth's husband ELliot and his partner Harold MATTson formed the company of MATTEL. The Barbie Doll was initially poorly received at the toy show in New York because her "shape" was a far cry from the traditional babydoll. However, buyers soon proved the critics wrong.