The 1950s“The Golden Age”

Presented by: Lauren HearingMorgan HolmesTyler Wakefield

The Golden Age of America

• The “Golden Age” of American television generally refers to the proliferation of original and classic dramas produced for live television during America’s postwar years.

• From 1949 to approximately 1960, these live dramas became the fitting programmatic complements to the game shows, westerns, soap operas, and vaudeville and variety acts on TV that dominated network television’s prime time schedule.

• As the nation’s economy grew and the population expanded, television and advertising executives turned to dramatic shows as a programming strategy to elevate the status of television and to attract the growing and increasingly important suburban family audience

Televisiono Small screened TVs were in black and whiteoOwning a television was a symbol of status oTelevision was a main source of entertainmentoBy 1950 4.4 million families were tuning in to the wonders of TVoThe most popular shows during the 1950s were sitcoms

o 3D movies were very popular during the 1950s.oThe first feature film premiered in the 1950so Drive in movies were popular and quickly became a hit. o It was common for people to set up screens and attach speakers in order to view the films.oBroadway plays also earned notorityoMusicals such as Oklahoma! and West Side Story premiered

Movies

BroadwayoBroadway plays also earned notorietyoMusicals such as Oklahoma! and West Side Story premiered

Playboy•Playboy magazine started in 1953•Hugh Hefner began the publication with a loan from his mother

Musico Rock music is said to be the sound of the 1950s; but until mid decade Rock n’ Roll did not existo Elvis Presley’s popularity skyrocketed during the 1950so For 55 weeks Elvis had the best selling record in Americao As Rock n’ Roll’s popularity grew, so did opposition.

Beat Generationo Beats were fascinated with the black urban culture.o Words such as, “hip,” “dig,” “cool,” “man,” and “split,” were widely used by the Beats.oBeats also explored sex and drugs.oRock n’ Roll “American Bandstand” was the first national TV show devoted exclusively to Rock n’ Roll and was hosted by Dick Clark.

Entertainment

National & InternationalHeadlines

1953- The Rosenburgs were convicted of conspiring with the Soviet Union 1955- Rosa Parks was arrested on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The United States Population reached 151,648,000

Literature Across the River and into the Trees- Ernest HemingwayBetty Crocker CookbookThe Cain Mutiny- Herman WoukThe Top Selling Book of the decade was The Bible.

Communication1951- First Direct Dial Transcontinental Telephone Call made by Mayor M. Leslie Downing of Englewood, New Jersey. 1951- The first telephone call is placed on AT&T’s new microwave radio-relay skyway, the first facilities to transmit telephone conversations across the United States by radio rather than wire or cable 1954- The Solar Cell captured free electrons and turned them into electrical current. This was the first solar battery 1956- Transoceanic Telephone Cables

FashionPopular Women’s Styles

A Cashmere sweater set and poodle skirtA scarf knotted around the neck.Their boyfriend’s Letterman jacketA shirt with a portable collar and rolled up jeansPeddle pushers and Mary Jane’s to pair with Bobby socks.Pony Tails and Big Hair

Popular Men’s StylesA sporty Letterman jacket.Converse shoes with Bobby socksBlack leather jacket with the collar turned upward.A rolled up black or white T-shirtPopular gym wear included short shorts and tight shirts“Greased” or slicked hair.

Fashion

Pop CulturePeople began using slang phrases like: “What’s buzzin’ cuzzin’?” (What’s Up?), “Razz my berries” (Excite me), “Pile up Z’s” (Get some sleep).The Hula Hoop was invented by Arthur K. Melin. More than 100 million Hula Hoops were sold within their first month on the market.Space Age Pop music became popular. Famous Space Age artists include: Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Henry Mancini, and Enoch Light.The drive- in movie was very popular! Big outdoor theaters were created so people could view the movies from their cars.Credit Card system was introduced in AmericaThe Fifties were ultimately named “The Golden Age”

Scientific Inventions&

TechnologyAn oral vaccine was invented to flight against polio and other crippling disasters.Rosalind Franklin used X-ray procedures to discover the structure of DNAThe snowmobile was invented and used to travel and transport through snowy weather.Three- dimensional Movies stole the theater overZenith created the “lazy bones” tuning device.Antihistamines were used for the treatment of allergies and head colds.Telephone Answering Machine created by Bell Laboratories and Western Electric.Super Glue was inventedMr. Potato Head was patented Oral Contraceptives inventedThe internal pacemaker was

SPUTNIK I¥ History changed on October 4,1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, a satellite, into orbit¥ The Sputnik I launch changed everything. As a technical achievement, Sputnik caught the world’s attention and the American public off-guard.¥ The Sputnik I launch also led directly to the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)¥ In July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, commonly known as “Space Act,” which created NASA as of October 1, 1958 from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and other government agencies.

SportsWilly Mays o Over his career, the “Say Hey Kid” had 660 homeruns, one batting title, two MVP Awards, 24 All-Star Game appearances, and four World Series appearances.

Bob Cousyo During his career, Bob Cousy led his team to six championships including five in a row from 1959 to 1963

Mickey MantleoDuring the entire decade of the 1950s, Mantle averaged 32 Home Runs, 111 Runs, 94 RBI, 100 Walks. He also led the Yankees to seven American League pennants and five World Series titles.

Sports

Natural Disaster Assam, India, 1950: earthquake (1,526 dead)Holland, 1953: Sea flood (1,794 dead)Iran, 1953: Rain flood (10,000 dead)Louisiana, USA, 1957: Hurricane (400 dead)Worldwide, 1957: Influenza Pandemic (about 4 million dead)Japan, 1958: Typhoon (5,000 dead)Ethiopia, 1958: Famine (100,000 dead)China, 1958-61: Famine (38 million dead.

Transportation

1950’s Trucks and barges were completed successfully for agricultural products as railroad rates rose.1956: Interstate Highway ActPopular Cars

Autstin Healey 19581958 Austin A55Austin A40 1952

Popular Foods & Beverages

o Beginning in the early 1950s Mc Donalds became a franchise.o The first Kentucky Fried Chicken was opened in 1952 by Col. Harland Sanders.oThe Betty Crocker Cook Book was also very popular during this time period and allowed wives and mothers a variety of ways to feed their families.oDrive- in Diners were also a common go to for fast dining. Often these places served hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, soda, and milk shakes.