Timeline
Inventions · 1958 · 1900 – 2000

Van Allen' radiation belt — introduced 1958

Van Allen' radiation belt arrived in 1958, during the Modern Century (20th century). It expanded what people could build, measure, or communicate, and quickly reshaped daily life.

Year

1958

Century

20th century

Era

Modern Century

Category

Inventions

Age today

12 yrs ago

Context

Modern Century — World wars, moon shots, and cultural upheaval. That's within the last generation — about 12 years ago. Around the same time, the world was also seeing U.S. launches Explorer I (1958) and Great Leap Forward (1958).

Why it matters

Van Allen' radiation belt mattered because it changed what was possible. New tools shift habits, industries, and even how people see the world — and this one is remembered for exactly that reason.

Did you know?

Just 0 years after, U.S. launches Explorer I (1958) was also making headlines — a reminder how much history can compress into a single decade.

Era

Modern Century

World wars, moon shots, and cultural upheaval.

Category

Inventions

Inventions are the tools and technologies that changed what humans could do — from wheels and printing presses to satellites and smartphones.

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Contemporary events

What else was happening in the world around this time.

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About this lesson. Overview, context, and “Why it matters” are generated summaries written for study and gameplay. Dates and category placement come from the Timeline question bank[1]; era descriptions are adapted from standard historical periodisation[2]. For primary sources and in-depth reading, use the references below.

  1. Timeline question bank — © the game's original author, used with permission.
  2. Era framework based on Wikipedia's Human history overview, CC BY-SA 4.0.

    Educational content notice

    Lessons are for general historical education, not professional advice. Some entries touch on wars, violence, or other sensitive events — appropriate for ages 9+. External links open in your browser and are not controlled by Timeline.

    Quick check

    Which of these happened in 1958?

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