From 1947 to 1957 US media was filled with the idea that all progress in the Soviet Union was from stealing US innovations. Particularly the 1949 A-bomb, but other things as well.
Then the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. Then they put a dog in space. Then they put a man in space. And the narrative changed.
Then the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. Then they put a dog in space. Then they put a man in space. And the narrative changed.