Television has come a long way since its inception in the 1920s. From the early days of radio broadcasts being transmitted to a small screen in black and white, to the emergence of color television, the medium has been constantly evolving. Here are ten influential episodes of television that occurred before 1970:

1. “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (I Love Lucy, 1953): This episode, which aired on January 19, 1953, was watched by an estimated 44 million people and set a record for the highest-rated television episode at the time. It also addressed the taboo subject of pregnancy, which had never been shown on television before.
2. “The $64,000 Question” (The $64,000 Question, 1955): This episode, which aired on November 2, 1955, was the finale of the first season of the quiz show. It attracted an estimated 50 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched television episodes of all time.
3. “The Ballad of Yermo Red” (The Cisco Kid, 1951): This episode, which aired on June 22, 1951, was one of the first Westerns to feature a sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans. It also tackled themes of racism and prejudice.
4. “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” (The Twilight Zone, 1960): This episode, which aired on March 4, 1960, is considered one of the greatest episodes of the series. It explores the idea of how quickly a community can turn on each other when faced with fear and paranoia.
5. “The Birth of a Nation” (CBS Reports, 1955): This episode, which aired on November 20, 1955, was a documentary that explored the controversial subject of race relations in America. It was the first time that a network news program had devoted an entire episode to the subject.
6. “A Christmas Carol” (The Alcoa Hour, 1954): This episode, which aired on December 19, 1954, was a live performance of the classic Charles Dickens story. It was the first time that a television program had aired a full-length, live drama.
7. “The Hunt” (Gunsmoke, 1956): This episode, which aired on October 20, 1956, was one of the first Westerns to deal with the issue of gun control. It was also notable for its realistic portrayal of violence, which was unusual for television at the time.
8. “The Bickersons” (The Chase and Sanborn Hour, 1948): This radio show, which later became a television show, aired from 1946 to 1951 and was a pioneer in the genre of domestic comedy. It influenced many later sitcoms, including The Honeymooners.
9. “The Ed Sullivan Show” (various episodes, 1948-1971): This variety show, which aired from 1948 to 1971, was one of the most popular television programs of all time. It introduced many legendary musical acts to a national audience, including Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
10. “The Littlest Angel” (Hallmark Hall of Fame, 1959): This episode, which aired on December 20, 1959, was the first Christmas special to air on television. It was a live performance of the classic story and became a beloved holiday tradition for many families.