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