1950s-+Prosperity

Jobs and salaries in the 50s

When we came out of World War 2 in the 50s, the economy was in a very good state. There were plenty of job opportunities, which made finding work very easy. Large companies grew and offered a lot of new white color jobs. Because of all these jobs the unemployment rates were very low. In the 50s the salaries were comparatively very high. It was not difficult for a family to live off of one salary. Because of this, many women stayed home during the day while the men went to work. This is why the stereotype of the 50s is often a happy family consisting of a man with a suitcase working while the wife stayed at home with the children.

Dress and Fads of the 1950s

During the 1950s, fashion was a very big aspect of the economy. Mainstream designers were introduced, such as Chanel and Dior, who are still popular today. Even though the country was at war, fashion and clothes were still very important to the people. The economy was well off even through out the country’s war. This was greatly due to teenagers. They had just started using their own money to buy clothes because it was so affordable. Because more and more teens were purchasing clothing, manufactures of clothes started designing clothes geared towards what they liked.

Throughout this time period, elegance was very important in fashion. In magazines, models sported flowers, stripes, spots, and abstract fashions. Women favored fitted waist skirts that flared out at the bottom and dainty dresses as well as jeans and trousers and petticoats. Silks and furs were also very popular among women. Men sported tweed jackets, flannel pants, polo shirts and sports jackets, cardigans, and wool suits. This decade really debuted many of the fashions worn today.

Conspiracies of the 1950s
In the successful economy of the 1950s the general demeanor was happy, joyful and not too serious. The conspiracies also followed suit. Most of the conspiracies of the 50s were not a life-threatening, big deal. Take for example the conspiracies about UFO landings. These were a product of Sci-Fi films of that time period. UFOs, in the realm of all conspiracies, are no big deal. Especially looking backward, knowing that scientifically no proof exists about UFOs visiting us, and also that no harm was caused by the ordeal, it goes to show that a positive demeanor and a positive economy result in less serious conspiracies.

Another conspiracy of the 1950s is that through subliminal advertising, a form of mind control can be achieved. Once again minor mind control toward purchasing products is harmless to everything but the wallets of those affected. Subliminal advertising is, like UFOs, on the lighte r side of conspiracies. The 1950s, as well as, many other times with a good economy non-serious conspiracies are created.

Kyler Jelonek After the end of World War II in 1945, the 1950s were filled with young adults having lots of spare time and kids spending their time outside inventing and playing new games. Some of the most common included Tin Tan Tommy, Marbles, Run Outs, and Lolly Sticks. Although there wasn’t a ton of extra money going around, things were cheap and people found ways to entertain themselves. Children would spend their spare pocket money on comics, cap guns, rockets, sports equipment, and other toys that cost under a dollar. They would spend hours and hours playing with the simplest of toys.
 * Sports and Leisure**

Professional sports were much different economically in 1950 than they are now too. In 1950, the average MLB player made $13,000 a year rather than today’s $2.5 million. However, the ticket prices cost nowhere near what they do today. In 1950, the average ticket price was $1.54 and a box seat was about five dollars. Today, the average ticket cost around $25 and a box seat can be more than $1000 per seat. Although money was worth more in 1950 than it is today, players were not paid outrages amounts. As in today’s country, almost every child wants to be a professional athlete of some sort. In 1950, kids would play sports nonstop for hours. In conclusion, the 1950s were a happy time when most people made due with the amount of money that they had. There was also down time for adults and kids to do leisure activities and play sports. All in all, the 50s were economically prosperous and socially happy.


 * Family Life and Housing**
 * Devin Groat**

During the 50s housing was cheaper due to the end of WWII. The economy was good because the war brought many jobs. Everyone was on a buying binge. A lot of the houses had furnaces, TVs and clock radios due to the newly found technology, also a result of WWII. The ranch style homes were popular because they were all one floor, so families could stay closer to each other. This was greatly appreciated, especially after the war. Finally, levittowns were popular. The “cookie cutter” homes all were similar and made the housing market an easier choice. The home life was also at a good place. Families had dinners together and moms stayed home to watch the kids while dad went to work. The kids attended school and did their homework. It was a relatively peaceful time. There was not many disputes. The families were just happy to be reunited after the war.

**Art and Written Expression** Gabi Stilwell

In the 1950s, art had a lot of changes. Modern art was very popular, so new forms like abstract expressionism were introduced. Influential artists of the time were Jackson Pollack and Mark Rothko, who were pioneers in this new type of art. Abstract Expressionists believed that art should be improvisational, and that didn’t represent anything. The paintings weren’t supposed to express anything, but to show the spontaneity of the artists, and their creativity. The paintings were planned out, but the purpose was that because the paintings were non-geometric, they would look random and unplanned.   1950s literature showed the controversy of the self-satisfaction and self-doubt about the real American values. During this time period, science fiction and fantasy became very popular. Some famous literature from the time was “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, “The Martian Chronicles” by Ray Bradbury, “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak, “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding, and the “Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis. The famous Mad Magazine was first published in 1952, and has been circulating ever since. It appears that it was influenced by both the economy and politics during that time. Mad Magazine is a humour magazine that makes fun of politicians and criticizes the economy. During the 1950s the economy was pretty good, so the magazine created parodies on American culture, and how people were spending their money.   **Inventions and Firsts of the 1950s** Olga Ambartsumyan

There were many new inventions and firsts of the 1950s. For example, the first credit card was invented in 1950. Since the economy was good, people were not afraid to spend more money. They felt that they could easily pay their bills off. Also, the bar code was patented in the 1950s. This allowed for products to be processed faster and make buying items more efficient.

During this time of economic prosperity, Ray Kroc started the fast food chain: McDonalds. Since the economy was good, businesses were very prosperous. Also, with extra money, that results from a growing economy, the microchip and internal pacemaker were invented. The doll Barbie, was also invented, and became the best selling doll, since parents had extra money to spend on their children. Auriana Anderson  Economy during this time period was a launch of happiness. This era was recovered from World War II and the Cold War. Music was upbeat and people were buying records. Records weren’t expensive because the economy was doing well. Rock n’ Roll evolved into the U.S. in the early 50s. It was a mixture of a few genres like blues, jazz, country etc. Rock was an advance in the American civil liberties. A man named Alan Freed used rock n’ roll to weaken segregation of blacks and whites. African Americans were not allowed to have their music played unless a white group remade it. Freed made a new catchy name and helped African Americans with the up rise of rhythm and blues. Rock n’ Roll meant “get going, move along.” This is how the economy was. It was great and moving along.
 * Music/Dance of the 1950s**


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Soala Idasetima
 * Politics of the 1950's**

The 1950's was the recovery from the world war 2 economy. The two presidents at the time were Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Truman contributed to the 1950s economic success as he would make cutbacks on expenses for the defense after the war was over. In results, domestic spending requirements were filled and this would be the beginning of the 1950's success.

Eisenhower would contribute to the 1950s economy as he passed the federal law highway safety act of 1956. This created the interstate highway systems which was a building block for growth. This system made it easier to travel long distances and reach larger cities. Also a major serious of laws that was passed in the 1950s was the Jim Crow laws.

Movies/Television in the 1950s Paige Gentry

The 1950s economy was prosperous. The drive in became huge because the economy was so good that going out to the movies and driving there was not a problem money wise. Rebellion was huge in the film industry. Young people didn’t want to follow the rules anymore because they were “young and rich.” 3D movies came out in the 50’s. They industry had the money to produce these kinds of films and the people also had the money to go and see them. The movie industry was great and moving fast in the 50s. In the 50s tv dinners became popular, because families could finally sit down and watch tv together because no one was working crazy hours anymore and the man could go to work and come home for the night. About 10.5 million U.S. homes had a TV set in 1950. People could afford color televisions. Many television stations had the money to start broadcasting in color. CBS was one of the first show to be broadcasted in color.