Timeline of SRI International Innovations: 1940s - 1950s

After World War II, an industrial push reinvigorated the economy. The world's first electronic digital computer, the 30-ton ENIAC, was introduced, and in what is now known as Silicon Valley, a three-bedroom home cost $10,000. At the start of the 1950s, TV sales topped 10 million, up from one million a year earlier. The pocket-size transistor radio was introduced, GM drove its 50-millionth car off the line, the Salk polio vaccine was discovered, and the Russians launched Sputnik.

Stanford Research Institute (SRI's founding name) was formed in 1946 by a group of business executives and Stanford University. SRI was created as a West Coast center of innovation to support economic development in the region; its scope soon became international.

COMMERCIAL DETERGENT: SRI's market research in 1948 confirmed the market potential of dodecyl benzene (a petrochemical substitute for tallow and coconut oil). SRI's research led to the first successful household detergent, Procter and Gamble's Tide.
				AIR POLLUTION: SRI pioneered smog research in Los Angeles and, in 1949, hosted the first national symposium on air pollution, which brought together 400 researchers and scientists.
CHEMICAL ECONOMICS HANDBOOK: In 1950, SRI introduced this comprehensive annual sourcebook analyzing specialty chemicals for worldwide markets, still considered the de facto industry guide (now published by SRI Consulting, a division of Access Intelligence, LLC).
				ELECTRONIC BANKING AND MICR: SRI revolutionized banking with the invention of ERMA (Electronic Recording Machine, Accounting) and magnetic ink character recognition (MICR). Together, they replaced laborious manual recordkeeping with automatic processing of bank and traveler's checks. Introduced by Bank of America in 1955, these innovations launched data processing machines for business. MICR is still used worldwide today for reading and processing checks.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Since the early 1950s, SRI has provided economic research and consulting services to more than 100 countries. In 1955, SRI conceived of India's National Council for Applied Economic Research.
				DISNEYLAND: Walt Disney hired SRI to analyze locations, attendance patterns, and the economic feasibility for his theme park concept. On SRI's recommendation, Disney selected Anaheim, California, for Disneyland, which opened in 1955 and today is visited by millions from around the world.
KENNEDY CENTER: In 1955, SRI provided design and site selection recommendations that guided the creation of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
				SOLAR ENERGY: With the University of Arizona, SRI held the world's first major conference on the capture and use of solar energy in 1955.
INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE (IIC): From 1957 to 1997, SRI co-sponsored this quadrennial summit drawing world leaders and CEOs from more than 50 countries. Co-founded with Time-Life Corporation, it was the first worldwide CEO summit and was applauded over the years for its insights into future trends.
				RAILROAD HYDRA-CUSHION: This shock-absorbing coupler technology, designed by SRI in the mid-1950s for Southern Pacific Railroad, provides a protective "cushion" for cross-country rail transport. It is still considered the industry standard.
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE RODS: Developed by SRI in the late 1950s for Boeing, and still used on modern aircraft, spacecraft, and tankers, these devices safely discharge static electricity and reduce communication static.
				STEEL ALLOYS: SRI invented new steel superalloys—superior-strength materials capable of operating in very high temperatures—that were used in the manufacture of jet engine turbines.
ALL-MAGNETIC LOGIC SYSTEM: In the late 1950s, SRI developed the world's first all-magnetic computer—a complete decimal arithmetic unit made solely of "ferrite and wire," producing essentially error-free computation. The ultra-reliable technology was used in the New York City subway system and other installations.
				ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER: In 1959, SRI was honored for its role in developing the Technicolor® electronic printing timer, which allowed the motion picture industry to release new color prints quickly.
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