Polythene bags made their first appearance during this decade
1951 - The Festival of Britain
1951 - First polyethylene bottle made by Sqezy
1951 - Sputnik I - First flight in space
1951 - High density polyethylene and polypropylene invented
1953 - Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1953 - Commercialisation of polyester fibre introduces the concept of 'wash and wear' for fabrics
1955 - Commecial television, ITV starts broadcasting
1956 - Reliant Regal 111, first commercially successful all glass fibre reinforced plastic bodied car
1957 - First microwave oven in Britain
1958 - Polycarbonate invented
1958 - Invention of the silicon chip
1958 - Launch of stereo hi-fi equipment and discs
1958 - Lego patents its plastic stud-and-block coupling system
1959 - Birth of Barbie doll, made mainly of PVC
