“What a beautiful world this will be. What a glorious time to be free.”

It’s been nearly 50 years since the beginning of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), an 18-month period of scientific activities and discoveries that ran from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. Both the US and the USSR launched the world’s first artificial satellites during the IGY (Sputnik 1 and Explorer 1). Other achievements of the IGY included the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts and the mapping of mid-ocean ridges. The IGY also inspired at least one artistic endeavor: Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen wrote his 1982 solo song "I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)" as an homage to 50s optimism.