Megan Moran Quizzes

The 1950s quiz

Turn up the jukebox and take a trip back to the decade of rock 'n' roll, hula hoops and the first TV sets in the living room. From a coronation and a conquered Everest to Elvis, Lucy and the dawn of the space age, these 20 questions will test how well you remember the 1950s.

A free quiz from Megan Moran, author of The Ultimate 1950's Quiz Book.

Pick an answer to start20 to go

  1. Question 1 of 20Toys

    Barbie, launched by Mattel in 1959, took her name from the daughter of co-founder Ruth Handler. What was the daughter's name?

  2. Question 2 of 20Sport

    On 6 May 1954, Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile in which English city?

  3. Question 3 of 20Technology

    In May 1952, which aircraft began the world's first scheduled jet airliner passenger service?

  4. Question 4 of 20Music

    Which song gave Elvis Presley his first No. 1 on the US Billboard pop chart, in 1956?

  5. Question 5 of 20World events

    In which year was Queen Elizabeth II crowned at Westminster Abbey?

  6. Question 6 of 20Science

    In 1953, at which university did James Watson and Francis Crick work out the double-helix structure of DNA?

  7. Question 7 of 20Famous firsts

    In 1955, which theme park opened its gates in Anaheim, California?

  8. Question 8 of 20Music

    Which song topped the very first UK Singles Chart, published by the NME in November 1952?

  9. Question 9 of 20TV

    Which sitcom starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz premiered on CBS in October 1951?

  10. Question 10 of 20Space

    Which country launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in October 1957?

  11. Question 11 of 20Fashion & fads

    Which 1950s British youth fashion took its name from the Edwardian-style suits its members wore?

  12. Question 12 of 20Film

    Which 1959 epic starring Charlton Heston won a then-record 11 Academy Awards?

  13. Question 13 of 20Sport

    Brazil won the 1958 FIFA World Cup by beating which host nation in the final?

  14. Question 14 of 20Fashion & fads

    Which California toy company launched the plastic Hula Hoop craze in 1958?

  15. Question 15 of 20Famous firsts

    Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in May 1953 alongside which climber?

  16. Question 16 of 20Science

    In April 1955, a polio vaccine developed by which American scientist was declared safe and effective?

  17. Question 17 of 20Books

    What was the title of Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, published in 1953?

  18. Question 18 of 20Film

    Which 1952 musical features Gene Kelly dancing with an umbrella through a downpour?

  19. Question 19 of 20TV

    Which long-running BBC children's program first aired in October 1958?

  20. Question 20 of 20Technology

    Which small British car, designed by Alec Issigonis, was launched in August 1959?

Answer all 20 to see your score.

Want more? The Ultimate 1950's Quiz Book has over 400 questions like these, ready for your next quiz night.

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Show all the answers
  1. Barbie, launched by Mattel in 1959, took her name from the daughter of co-founder Ruth Handler. What was the daughter's name? Barbara
  2. On 6 May 1954, Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile in which English city? Oxford
  3. In May 1952, which aircraft began the world's first scheduled jet airliner passenger service? de Havilland Comet
  4. Which song gave Elvis Presley his first No. 1 on the US Billboard pop chart, in 1956? Heartbreak Hotel
  5. In which year was Queen Elizabeth II crowned at Westminster Abbey? 1953
  6. In 1953, at which university did James Watson and Francis Crick work out the double-helix structure of DNA? Cambridge
  7. In 1955, which theme park opened its gates in Anaheim, California? Disneyland
  8. Which song topped the very first UK Singles Chart, published by the NME in November 1952? Here in My Heart by Al Martino
  9. Which sitcom starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz premiered on CBS in October 1951? I Love Lucy
  10. Which country launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in October 1957? Soviet Union
  11. Which 1950s British youth fashion took its name from the Edwardian-style suits its members wore? Teddy Boys
  12. Which 1959 epic starring Charlton Heston won a then-record 11 Academy Awards? Ben-Hur
  13. Brazil won the 1958 FIFA World Cup by beating which host nation in the final? Sweden
  14. Which California toy company launched the plastic Hula Hoop craze in 1958? Wham-O
  15. Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in May 1953 alongside which climber? Tenzing Norgay
  16. In April 1955, a polio vaccine developed by which American scientist was declared safe and effective? Jonas Salk
  17. What was the title of Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, published in 1953? Casino Royale
  18. Which 1952 musical features Gene Kelly dancing with an umbrella through a downpour? Singin' in the Rain
  19. Which long-running BBC children's program first aired in October 1958? Blue Peter
  20. Which small British car, designed by Alec Issigonis, was launched in August 1959? Mini