The 1950s were filled with unforgettable experiences for many people, from fashion crazes to nuclear weapons drills, some more pleasurable than others! Today, we talk about 17 things that defined this decade that people who lived through it will still remember.
Drive-In Theaters
Before their decline, drive-ins were the trendy thing when it came to movie-going. People from the 1950s will remember how they could watch the latest cinema content right from the comfort of their cars, getting even more comfy with blankets and pillows if they wanted to.
Soda Fountains
Today, we understand soda fountains are devices that dispense carbonated soft drinks in restaurants. But in the ‘50s, they were more than this. Soda fountains were entire establishments like drug stores or candy stores where soda jerks served people (who came to socialize) soft drinks, ice cream, malt, milkshakes, and other types of desserts.
The Impact of the Polio Vaccine
One of the most amazing developments during this period was the creation of the polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955. The vaccine brought so much relief and hope for little children; it was licensed the same day results were revealed, and the WHO narrates how cases dropped from 58,000 to 5,600 only two years later.
Poodle Skirts
Poodle skirts were trendy wide-swing skirts adorned with poodle appliqués. Made popular by teenage girls and symbolizing a carefree fashion era, poodle skirts were the choice for most. The girls completed the look by getting into their saddle shoes and bobby socks – what a look!
The Craze Around Hula Hoops
We have video games to keep us busy today. But the people from the 1950s had hula hoops. Keeping a hoop spinning around the waist for as long as possible was so interesting that competitions were held because of it. These hoops brought a nationwide craze with fun that lasted for hours.
Sock Hops
Also called sox hop or record hop, people from the ‘50s will also remember having school dances in gymnasiums where they needed to take off their shoes to protect the floors. During sock hops, people dressed in trendy fashion, and they danced to the latest rock ‘n’ roll songs played on a record player or performed by a live band.
Milk Delivery
During that time, Americans also had fresh milk delivered to their doorsteps in glass bottles. People knew the milkman was at the door when they simply heard the early morning clanking of bottles. After drinking the milk, they returned the bottles to be reused for the next delivery.
The Popularity of Western TV Shows
TV culture was also influenced by Western American themes through popular shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Lone Ranger. Children wanted to be like the sheriffs they saw in these evening programs, and in their playtime, they mimicked the brawls between cowboys and outlaws with their friends.
Classic Comic Books
There was also a crazed culture around comic books, where people enthusiastically collected and exchanged issues on Superman, Batman, and other heroes triumphing over evil. Comics on ‘Pat the Brat’ and ‘Little Archie’ came out during this period, and, as PBS says, all these books were cheap and portable enough to carry everywhere.
S&H Green Stamps
People from the ‘50s also engaged in gamified rewards programs through S&H green stamps. These trading stamps were distributed by the Sperry & Hutchinson company, and people kept their stamps for household items, toys, or other merchandise in booklets. You should remember the excitement when you had enough stamps to redeem the item you always wanted.
Black-and-White TV
Unlike the 8K TVs we have now, people from the 1950s only had black-and-white TVs to watch favorite shows like ‘I Love Lucy’ and ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ They were as immersive as can be, too! The entire family gathered around these monochrome devices, adjusting the rabbit-ear antennas to get a clearer view of their evening entertainment.
The Cold War Era
Of course, memories of the ‘50s weren’t all rosy. People should remember the ever-present threat of nuclear war and how they frequently participated in duck-and-cover drills at school. There was also the fear of communism spreading, perfectly represented by Senator McCarthy’s crusade against it in a period known as the ‘Red Scare.’
The Space Race
The idea of going to space also sprang up during this time, and it went beyond just curiosity about what lay beyond the sky. As the National Air and Space Museum shares, the space race was an extension of the Cold War with the U.S.S.R.—a competition over who could beat the other in space exploration.
Elvis Presley
No one from the ‘50s will also forget the king of rock’ n’ roll, Elvis Presley, and his groundbreaking, electrifying music. Songs like ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Jailhouse Rock’ defined the entire decade, and Elvis cemented his status as one of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century—especially in fashion.
The Introduction of Classic Phone Booths
You should also remember phone booths. Yes, they existed in the 1900s, but they “became commonplace in the 1950s when glass and aluminum replaced difficult-to-maintain wood as the building material of choice,” according to Time. In the 1950s, these outdoor booths adopted their iconic design.
Roller Skating Rinks
There was also a very popular hobby that had people spending weekends gliding around skating rinks with friends or romantic partners, listening to popular music. The four-wheel skates were typically borrowed, the lighting was always beautiful, and the roller skate tricks were absolutely thrilling to execute.
New Slinky Toys
Remember the slinky dog? A $500 borrowed investment by a married couple in 1945 turned into a billion-dollar business and gave everyone fascinating toys that seemed to walk on their own, particularly down the stairs. The flexible metal and plastic coils allowed everyone to get diverse designs that provided endless curiosity and fun.
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