18. In my opinion, the event that had the greatest impact on Oklahoma in the 1960s and 1970s was the discovery of natural gas reserves in the Anadarko Basin. This discovery led to a significant increase in the state's natural gas production, which helped to fuel the growth of the energy industry in Oklahoma. The discovery of natural gas also led to the development of new technologies and industries related to energy production, which further bolstered the state's economy.
19. Oklahoma's economy has become more diversified in the last 20 years with the growth of industries such as aerospace, biotechnology, and information technology. For example, aerospace has become an important industry in the state, with companies like Boeing and American Airlines establishing major operations in Oklahoma. Biotechnology has also seen significant growth in the state, with the establishment of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and other research institutions. Information technology has also emerged as a major industry in Oklahoma, with companies like Dell and AT&T establishing significant operations in the state.
Economic diversification has helped Oklahoma in several ways. It has reduced the state's reliance on traditional industries like oil and gas and agriculture, which can be subject to fluctuations in demand and price. It has also created new job opportunities and increased the state's tax base. For example, the growth of aerospace in the state has led to the creation of thousands of high-paying jobs, which has helped to attract highly-skilled workers to Oklahoma. Additionally, the growth of nontraditional industries has helped to promote innovation and technological advancement in the state, which has further contributed to the state's economic growth and development.