Friday Smiles 387: Another trip to the Eisenhower Museum

It's Friday, so let's join Annie (at A Stitch in Time) along with the wonderful ladies at Friday Smiles.

We just left Mamie's room and have now entered the President's room again.

These are some of the events that occurred and leaders who were in power during Ike's two terms as president. 

You can tell I'm getting tired because my photos aren't as clear as they once were. 

I suspect by this time, I've been at the complex for about four or five hours.  I have never sat once, except to see part of the D-Day video and the overview video way back in the beginning of the day.

I wish I'd paid more attention to this section because it is increasingly relevant in the world we currently inhabit.

During his first term in office, Ike was busy trying to defuse the nuclear crisis with the Soviet Union.

Possible uses of atomic materials.

This is a draft of his speech he would later give to the United Nations later that year.

He was hoping to turn atomic research into one of peace.

Ike really believed what he said and wrote.

Ike accepted the nomination for a second term, which would prove even harder than the first term.

Ike was really upset when the Soviets beat the Americans into space. 

ARPA was the Advanced Research Projects Agency (the same military technology agency that later helped develop the internet and is now called DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

Because Congress believed the perceived threat to national security and technology due to what was known as the "Sputnik Crisis," in July, 1958, Ike signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration known as NASA.  He believed the project should be handled by civilians and not by government.

The first seven astronauts chosen by NASA

gave Ike hope we might win the space race.

This shows Ike with Richard Nixon, his VP and Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union.

This shows how NASA was born.

This involves the "Sputnik Crisis" I referred to earlier.

Moving to a new section, things were changing rapidly around the country.  Lots of new opportunities including the number of new jobs created between 1950 and 1960.

There were more college degrees given, including more for women and people of color.

More people owned cars in 1960 than in 1950.

Ike and Mamie had a new car, too, although he never drove it, since he had a driver.

New homes were being built

and by 1960, 62% of Americans owned their own homes,

including Ike and Mamie.

The nation prospered under Ike's guidance and leadership.

One of the biggest increases from 1950 to 1960 was people who purchased a television. 

It appears they were big and bulky.

They were pieces of real furniture, too.  I suspect Sports Illustrated was found in the Ike White House.  From fly fishing to golfing, Ike loved them both. 

So much in fact, he had a putting green installed on the south lawn of the White House grounds.

Ike had been on a crusade to have an interstate system since he crossed the country in the 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy where he moved trucks and supplies across country in the early years of his military career.

After Ike became president in 1953,

his administration developed a proposal for an interstate highway system,

which in turn led to the passage of a bill creating the Interstate Highway System. 

Construction soon began on interstate highways because of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956.

I think this is a great place to stop.  I sincerely hope the museum is more interesting now, even if it is mostly about Ike and the USA.

Here are more questions asked by Banff Park tourists at the information kiosks manned by Parks Canada staff.

When I go to B.C., do I have to go through Ontario?

Which is the way to the Columbia rice fields?

How far is Banff from Canada?

What’s the best way to see Canada in a day?

Do they search you at the B.C. border?

When we enter B.C. do we have to convert our money to British pounds?

Where can I buy a raccoon hat? ALL Canadians own one, don’t they?

Are there phones in Banff?

So it’s eight kilometers away… is that in miles?

Is that two kilometers by foot or by car?

We’re on the decibel system you know.

Where can I get my husband really, REALLY, lost??

Don’t you Canadians know anything?

Where do you put the animals at night?

I have a friend in Toronto, do you know Dave Smith?

Why, when I insert my American bank card in an ATM machine, does it give me Canadian money?

Do you have the 4th of July up here?
What time do they turn on the Northern Lights?
Do they turn the hot springs off at night?
Where can I buy some totem pole seeds?

Where are the igloos?

You're Canadian? How come you aren't speaking French?

Where can I go to see the Queen? 

Do I need a metric compass when I go hiking?

Texas is bigger than Canada, right?

So where are the faces of the presidents?

Do you have big foot here?

Where's the best foot path to see cougars on?

Do the bears really like honey?

If I hike along the train tracks can I get to Toronto in a day?

What is the white stuff on top of the mountains?         

Tourist: “How do you get your lakes so blue?”
Park staff: “We take the water out in the winter and paint the bottom”.
Tourist: “Oh!”

Now let's head over to Annie's because she knows how to put a smile on everyone's faces.  And whatever you do, please don't forget to start your weekend off right with a few Friday Smiles of your own.  And remember, if you would like to play along, Annie would love to have you join us.