50 Years Ago

  1. Science & Society

    Tech in the classroom foreseen 50 years ago

    Fifty years ago, scientists were looking forward to technology in the classroom.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  2. Plants

    Fifty years ago, ethylene research ripened

    In 1965, scientists realized ethylene was the molecule that ripens fruit.

    By Lila Guterman
  3. Animals

    Early research asked whether cats dream

    Early research asked whether cats dream; researchers still don’t know definitively.

    By Lila Guterman
  4. Plants

    Medfly control methods were ready for pest’s influx

    50 years ago, researchers prepared to greet Mediterranean fruit flies with sterile males.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  5. Planetary Science

    Before moon landings, scientists thought dust or crust might disrupt touchdown

    Moon dust didn’t swallow spacecraft as was suggested in the 1960s.