Episode 222: Electronic Selector

America at 250 Episode 7: "Full Circuit: 'Electronic Selector' as a refection of the 1950s'"  Ric chose to discuss "Electronic Selector," a cross between a trivia board game and a electrical tutorial from the 1950s as the last recording during the preview event at the NH Telephone Museum in Warner back in May.  If this box was marketed in the present it would likely be referred to as a STEM activity, because as Ric indicated, it was activities like this which opened pathways for him and many youths of the era to explore electrical engineering and other technical careers.  I snagged Electronic Selector out of a bin at Goodwill Buy the Pound because of the vibrant graphics, but I never put together exactly what it is until Ric walked me through it.  It makes sense that products like this would be developed in the post-World War II period as there was a desire, and perhaps need, to have young people equipped with skills to take on the increasingly high tech world around them.This is the seventh episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture is examined for historical value and for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.  Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250This episode is brought to you by iCivics and their new educational game, Investigation Declaration.#podcast #popculture #1950s #electronicselector #electrical