The Cold War The 1950's

The 1950s is often thought of as the "Do-Nothing" decade. Life was back to normal. Wages were back up. People seemed satisfied with little complaining. Young people were not concerned with politics or world problems.

Many people moved to the suburbs. Because of the commute back to the city to work, many people were buying new cars. This is when a two car family emerged.

Alaska became the 49th state in 1958. In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state.

Space Race

The Soviets launched the first spaceship named Sputnik in 1957. In 1958 the United States launched Explorer I. this was the beginning of the space race. Both the United States and the Soviets continued to have many breakthroughs in space travel and exploration.

 

Watching Television in 1958

Television became a national pastime. Most families bought television sets. Popular shows included I Love Lucy and Howdy Doody.

Many inventions as well as discoveries in science and medicine were made in the 1950s including:

  • Super Glue (1950)

  • Mr. Potato Head (1952)

  • Car Seat Belts (1952)

  • Vaccine for Polio (1953)

  • DNA Discovered (1953)

  • Color TV (1953)

  • We discovered that cigarettes cause cancer. (1954)

  • Microwaves (1955)

  • Computer Hard Disk (1956)

  • The Federal Highway Act is signed. (1956) [On June 29, 1956 President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 bill into law to give 25 billion dollars for the construction of 41,000 miles of the Interstate Highway.]

  • Hula Hoop (1958)

Some prices in the 1950s

1958 Chevrolet Corvette $3631
A New Car:  $1510 in 1950 to $2,200 in 1959
A Gallon of Gas: 18 cents in 1950 to 25 cents in 1959 
Men's All Wool Suits $28.90 
Electric Portable Singer Sewing Machine $19.90 
Rib Roast 29 cents per pound 
Ritz Crackers 32 cents
A Loaf of Bread 14 cents 
1 Carat Diamond Ring $399.00 
Average Cost of a New House: $8,450 in 1950 to $12,400 in 1959

 
Facts about the 1950's---

Population: 151,684,000 
Unemployed:  3,288,000
Life expectancy:   Women 71.1,  men  65.6
Car Sales:  6,665,800
Average Salary:  $3,210 in 1950 to $5,010 in 1959
Labor Force male/female: 5/2

 

 Return to The Cold War