50 Years Ago

Animals

50 years ago, scientists wondered how birds find their way home

In the 1970s, lab tests hinted that birds can navigate using magnetic fields. New studies suggest that beak and eye proteins are behind the ability.

Space

50 years ago, scientists found a lunar rock nearly as old as the moon

Studies of such rocks continue to reveal secrets about the moon’s history.

Physics

50 years ago, superconductors were warming up

Superconducting temperatures have risen by about 250 degrees since the 1970s, but are still too cold to enable practical technologies.

Health & Medicine

50 years ago, computers helped speed up drug discovery

In 1974, a computer program helped researchers search for promising cancer drugs. Today, AI is helping speed up drug discovery.

Anthropology

50 years ago, evidence showed that an extinct human ancestor walked upright

Fossil finds have since pushed back the ability of hominids to walk on two legs by millions of years.

Paleontology

50 years ago, trilobite eyes mesmerized scientists

Decades of research has confirmed that for such simple creatures, trilobites had astoundingly complex eyes.

Physics

50 years ago, timekeepers deployed the newly invented leap second

After more than 50 years, metrologists will stop using the leap second to align the time kept by atomic clocks with the rate of Earth’s spin.

Animals

50 years ago, the U.S. Navy enlisted sea lions and other marine mammals

Today, dolphins and sea lions in the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program protect harbors and participate in research on animal health and well-being.

Astronomy

50 years ago, astronomers challenged claims that Barnard’s star has a planet

Astronomers have been searching for planets around the sun’s close neighbor for decades.

Health & Medicine

50 years ago, scientists suspected that lost sense of smell could be restored

Cells responsible for humans’ sense of smell can regenerate. Now, research spurred on by the pandemic could help answer questions about the process.

Planetary Science

50 years ago, the first probe to visit Mercury launched

In the 1970s, NASA’s Mariner 10 became the first spacecraft to visit Mercury. Only one other probe has made the journey and another one is on its way.

Climate

50 years ago, scientists warned of the ‘neglected dangers’ of heat islands

In 1973, scientists knew temperatures in cities were higher than in rural areas. Now, some cities are attempting to cool down with engineering.