1940's and 1950's
The 1940's: An Overview
With the beginning of American involvement in World War II in 1941, the 1940's saw large changes for the country. Many men left to fight and women took over the jobs that were left vacant in both industrial and scientific fields. While some regard this as a large step forward for the equality of women in society, many historians note that these women "often received only cursory technical training, were hired into subordinate and sex segregated positions, and were often expected to leave their jobs once the war was over." (1) Interestingly, historian Margaret Rossiter claims that "employers seemed more willing to hire women in low-level positions as "aides" or "assistants" than they were to hire women who already had specific training for higher positions." (2) This reveals a prevalent bias among employers for women to remain in lower level positions that are subservient to the males in the already male-dominant scientific fields. It would also explain that while women numbers in scientific fields were increasing, the overall proportion of women in the sciences did not, rising from 4.0% to only 4.1% (3).
Women in science greatly contributed to the war effort through work on designing better nutrition programs for the armed forces or as physicists in the Manhattan Project, though their achievements were often overlooked (2). Women involved in science during this time period had difficulties within the culture of the field which tended to downplay the achievements of women and assume they were automatically inferior to men.
Women in science greatly contributed to the war effort through work on designing better nutrition programs for the armed forces or as physicists in the Manhattan Project, though their achievements were often overlooked (2). Women involved in science during this time period had difficulties within the culture of the field which tended to downplay the achievements of women and assume they were automatically inferior to men.
1950's: An Overview
Following the war, although relations with other world powers were tense, America entered a time of peace and prosperity. Many women experienced setbacks in their desires to become involved in the workforce, as many were laid off or struggled to find jobs once the fighting men returned. This occurred in both the industrial and scientific environments; even the women who possessed advanced degrees and graduated from prestigious universities had trouble obtaining employment (4). A quote from a cookbook of the decade encouraged the woman returning from her war era occupation to the home: "But whatever else you do, you are, first and foremost, homemakers - women with the welfare of your families deepest in your hearts" (5).
The cultural pressure towards women to remain in the home as the perfect housewife and homemaker was strong, but many women continued to pursue their passions in male dominated fields. These women had to overcome great odds to obtain a job, for example, women were often not hired if they were married or planned to have children, and many states required that women quit their positions after six months- with no paid maternity leave (6). As a result, the majority of women involved in the sciences at this time were never married or mothers.
The cultural pressure towards women to remain in the home as the perfect housewife and homemaker was strong, but many women continued to pursue their passions in male dominated fields. These women had to overcome great odds to obtain a job, for example, women were often not hired if they were married or planned to have children, and many states required that women quit their positions after six months- with no paid maternity leave (6). As a result, the majority of women involved in the sciences at this time were never married or mothers.
Rocketship X-M (1950)
In this 1950's movie, a team of five, renowned scientists launch the first mission to reach the moon, but are unexpectantly pulled towards Mars instead. Osa Massen plays the sole, women scientist in the group, the renowned chemist from Germany and apparently, the second "most able" scientist of the group, Dr. Lisa Van Horn. When asked in an interview why a woman should join the team, the leader, Dr. Eckstorm, answers that she developed the fuel to make the mission possible. Several of her peers note that she is very attractive, but acknowledge she has no love interest, as she is extremely dedicated to her work. A contrast is shown between her and the typical woman of the time. Dr. van Horn is unmarried and highly skilled, while another group member jokes to the press, depicting his wife as silly and naïve in questioning why he had wanted to go into space, and ultimately, he had already made up his mind and there was nothing she could have done.
Once the rocketship successfully enters space, Dr. van Horn deals with the advances of the pilot, Col. Graham. At one point, when the crew becomes amused by the effects of zero gravity while she finds no humor in it, he confronts her on her serious, "atypical" for a woman, personality.
Col. Graham: "Can't you ever relax? ... How does a girl like you get mixed up in a thing like this in the first place?"
Dr. van Horn: "I suppose you think that women should only cook and sew and bear children."
Col. Graham: "Isn't that enough? There's such a thing as going overboard in the other direction, too, you know."
Once the rocketship successfully enters space, Dr. van Horn deals with the advances of the pilot, Col. Graham. At one point, when the crew becomes amused by the effects of zero gravity while she finds no humor in it, he confronts her on her serious, "atypical" for a woman, personality.
Col. Graham: "Can't you ever relax? ... How does a girl like you get mixed up in a thing like this in the first place?"
Dr. van Horn: "I suppose you think that women should only cook and sew and bear children."
Col. Graham: "Isn't that enough? There's such a thing as going overboard in the other direction, too, you know."
Even though her colleagues clearly respect her as a scientist, they have a strong notion of how a woman should act, whether or not she performs the common role of a housewife and mother. This idea surfaces again when Dr. Eckstorm and Dr. van Horn must come up with an estimate of a complex calculation of the fuel mixtures they should use in minutes, rather than hours, to ensure the crew returns home, and reach different answers. Dr. Eckstorm completely dismisses her result, concluding she must have made an error, and they will use his answer. Dr. van Horn reacts passionately, attempting to make certain he realizes he may jeopardize the lives on the crew with a wrong number, that she made no error, and more time was necessary. She immediately apologizes, and Dr. Eckstorm responds.
Dr. Eckstorm: For what? For momentarily being a woman? It's completely understandable, Ms. van Horn. Now shall we go ahead?
Dr. van Horn: Yes, doctor.
Dr. van Horn states a very valid argument, and Dr. Eckstorm ends up miscalculating and sets in motion the events for disaster. Nevertheless, the prevailing stereotype that women are irrational and overemotional causes the crew to dismiss her stance and ideas. Despite her incredible credentials, they still seem wary of the "Ms. van Horn," who could allow emotion to cloud her thoughts.
Overall, Dr. van Horn has managed to become a prestigious scientist in a time when her real life counterparts would have found it much harder to do so. Her inclusion in the film signifies that people of the decade saw a few women as capable of science, although as author Boonie Noonan notes, "feminine" and "smart" were often seen as "mutually exclusive categories." (7) In the end of the movie, Dr. van Horn is cradled in the arms of Col. Graham as the rocketship hurtles towards the earth as they imagine the life they could have had together. Noonan explains that her finally found romance is an appeal for the audience, as for women in these science films, "their consummate acceptance by a mass audience ultimately depends on their ability to attract, fulfill, and be fulfilled by a man." (8)
Dr. Eckstorm: For what? For momentarily being a woman? It's completely understandable, Ms. van Horn. Now shall we go ahead?
Dr. van Horn: Yes, doctor.
Dr. van Horn states a very valid argument, and Dr. Eckstorm ends up miscalculating and sets in motion the events for disaster. Nevertheless, the prevailing stereotype that women are irrational and overemotional causes the crew to dismiss her stance and ideas. Despite her incredible credentials, they still seem wary of the "Ms. van Horn," who could allow emotion to cloud her thoughts.
Overall, Dr. van Horn has managed to become a prestigious scientist in a time when her real life counterparts would have found it much harder to do so. Her inclusion in the film signifies that people of the decade saw a few women as capable of science, although as author Boonie Noonan notes, "feminine" and "smart" were often seen as "mutually exclusive categories." (7) In the end of the movie, Dr. van Horn is cradled in the arms of Col. Graham as the rocketship hurtles towards the earth as they imagine the life they could have had together. Noonan explains that her finally found romance is an appeal for the audience, as for women in these science films, "their consummate acceptance by a mass audience ultimately depends on their ability to attract, fulfill, and be fulfilled by a man." (8)
It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)
Faith Domergue stars as the world-famous marine biologist, Dr. Lesley Joyce, in a film where the seas of the world are threatened by an enormous octopus. Like Dr. van Horn, she is single with no romantic ties and prestigious in her field, but in contrast, Dr. Joyce is fully "aware of and confident in her allure and is perfectly willing to use her feminine wiles to achieve goals both personal and professional" (8). She easily obtains the love interest of the commander, but plays coy towards to him, clearly enjoying his advances, but never outright says she is available and acts flirtatious with her other colleague. Additionally, she is depicted as emotional, manipulative, and fickle, much more like a "coy female" than a reserved intellectual. She uses her female charms to prompt information from a witness and frustrates the commander with her apparent impulsiveness and indecisiveness, causing him to storm away muttering angrily about the "mental nature of women."
An important, revealing scene about the changing position of women in American society occurs when the situation with the octopus becomes more dangerous, and the commander hopes that Dr. John Carter will help him convince Dr. Joyce to let him and the navy take over for her. Dr. Carter responds in her defense.
Dr. Carter: There's a whole new breed of women who "feel they are just as smart, just as courageous as men-- and they are! They don't like to be overprotected. They don't like to have their initiative taken away from them.
Dr. Joyce: I not only don't like being pushed around, but you underestimate my ability to help in a crisis.
An important, revealing scene about the changing position of women in American society occurs when the situation with the octopus becomes more dangerous, and the commander hopes that Dr. John Carter will help him convince Dr. Joyce to let him and the navy take over for her. Dr. Carter responds in her defense.
Dr. Carter: There's a whole new breed of women who "feel they are just as smart, just as courageous as men-- and they are! They don't like to be overprotected. They don't like to have their initiative taken away from them.
Dr. Joyce: I not only don't like being pushed around, but you underestimate my ability to help in a crisis.
Indeed, despite her role as a particularly feminine woman scientist, Dr. Joyce is regarded by others in the movie as a vital contributor to handling a catastrophe. She is regarded as an expert upon the giant sea squid that begins terrorizing the city. She is seen giving military orders and answering questions that the paparazzi have when the whole event is over.
As with Dr. Lisa van Horn, in the last scene of the movie, Dr. Joyce confirms her love interest in the commander, whom she had an ambiguous fling with throughout the movie. She remains evasive, however, of a definite commitment when the commander asks if he would see her in the future and expresses interest in marriage.
Commander Pete: Will I be seeing you, Leslie?
Dr. Joyce: When I get back from Cairo?
Commander Pete: I mean, when we can change. Move away, get married, have memories.
Dr. Joyce: Well, there is that possibility, but A, there isn't time for that to happen to me. B, I can be reached at the school, and C, How would you like to collaborate with me on a book, How to Catch a Sea Beast?
She then kisses him passionately, prompting the commander to respond with a smile.
Commander Pete: Say Doctor, you know, you were right about this new breed of women.
While Dr. Joyce is depicted as incredibly coy with her love desires and perhaps frustrating to an audience of the time, her unwillingness to obtain a committed husband is reflective of the previously discussed implications for women scientists who were married. The wife and the woman scientist could hardly exist as one person, and Dr. Joyce is very passionate about her work. As a whole, the movie portrays a more feminine, expert, woman scientist who is confident and assertive than was previously observed in the early 1950's movie, Rocketship X-M. Her portrayal shows a shifting view of women's capabilities in science, yet much more progress remains to be seen.
As with Dr. Lisa van Horn, in the last scene of the movie, Dr. Joyce confirms her love interest in the commander, whom she had an ambiguous fling with throughout the movie. She remains evasive, however, of a definite commitment when the commander asks if he would see her in the future and expresses interest in marriage.
Commander Pete: Will I be seeing you, Leslie?
Dr. Joyce: When I get back from Cairo?
Commander Pete: I mean, when we can change. Move away, get married, have memories.
Dr. Joyce: Well, there is that possibility, but A, there isn't time for that to happen to me. B, I can be reached at the school, and C, How would you like to collaborate with me on a book, How to Catch a Sea Beast?
She then kisses him passionately, prompting the commander to respond with a smile.
Commander Pete: Say Doctor, you know, you were right about this new breed of women.
While Dr. Joyce is depicted as incredibly coy with her love desires and perhaps frustrating to an audience of the time, her unwillingness to obtain a committed husband is reflective of the previously discussed implications for women scientists who were married. The wife and the woman scientist could hardly exist as one person, and Dr. Joyce is very passionate about her work. As a whole, the movie portrays a more feminine, expert, woman scientist who is confident and assertive than was previously observed in the early 1950's movie, Rocketship X-M. Her portrayal shows a shifting view of women's capabilities in science, yet much more progress remains to be seen.
References:
Banner from: https://vintageportland.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/sw-broadway-1950s.jpg
Rosie the Riveter image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/We_Can_Do_It!.jpg
1950 family image: http://www.geekygodmother.ca/Photo%204.jpg
Rocketship X-M movie poster: http://stuffpoint.com/science-fiction/image/411035/rocketship-x-m-poster-wallpaper/
Osa Massen: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtnoEp3mCfY/UIvkRkjupDI/AAAAAAAADn8/iSPPfCpgM-s/s640/rocketship+XM+6.png
It Came from Beneath the Sea movie poster: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTI5NjA1MDYwNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTYzMjE2MQ@@._V1_SY317_CR1,0,214,317_AL_.jpg
It Came from Beneath the Sea characters: http://www.alifeatthemovies.com/images/2010/05/it-came-from-beneath-the-sea.jpg
1. Jack, Jordynn. Science on the Home Front (University of Illinois Press, 2009), 2.
2. Jack, 3.
3. Ibid.
4. Bailey, Martha J. American Women in Science: 1950 to the Present (ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1998), xxi.
5. Neuhaus, Jessamyn. "The Way to a Man's Heart: Gender Roles, Domestic Ideology, and Cookbooks in the 1950's," Journal of Social History 32, no. 3 (1999): 532.
6. Bailey, xxii.
7. Noonan, Boonie. Women Scientists in Fifties Science Fiction Films (North Carolina, McFarland & Company, Inc., 2005), 51.
8. Ibid.
Banner from: https://vintageportland.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/sw-broadway-1950s.jpg
Rosie the Riveter image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/We_Can_Do_It!.jpg
1950 family image: http://www.geekygodmother.ca/Photo%204.jpg
Rocketship X-M movie poster: http://stuffpoint.com/science-fiction/image/411035/rocketship-x-m-poster-wallpaper/
Osa Massen: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtnoEp3mCfY/UIvkRkjupDI/AAAAAAAADn8/iSPPfCpgM-s/s640/rocketship+XM+6.png
It Came from Beneath the Sea movie poster: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTI5NjA1MDYwNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTYzMjE2MQ@@._V1_SY317_CR1,0,214,317_AL_.jpg
It Came from Beneath the Sea characters: http://www.alifeatthemovies.com/images/2010/05/it-came-from-beneath-the-sea.jpg
1. Jack, Jordynn. Science on the Home Front (University of Illinois Press, 2009), 2.
2. Jack, 3.
3. Ibid.
4. Bailey, Martha J. American Women in Science: 1950 to the Present (ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1998), xxi.
5. Neuhaus, Jessamyn. "The Way to a Man's Heart: Gender Roles, Domestic Ideology, and Cookbooks in the 1950's," Journal of Social History 32, no. 3 (1999): 532.
6. Bailey, xxii.
7. Noonan, Boonie. Women Scientists in Fifties Science Fiction Films (North Carolina, McFarland & Company, Inc., 2005), 51.
8. Ibid.