Learning Targets I can explain what life was like for teenagers. I can explain what life was like for teenagers. I can evaluate the effects of the changes in diet and food in the 1950s. I can evaluate the effects of the changes in diet and food in the 1950s. I can describe changing roles of women in the 1950s. I can describe changing roles of women in the 1950s. I can analyze the effects of planned obsolescence on society. I can analyze the effects of planned obsolescence on society. I can describe the growth of suburbia. I can describe the growth of suburbia.

Life as a Teenager Boys’ hair touching the ears wasn’t allowed, punishable by expulsion from school. Boys’ hair touching the ears wasn’t allowed, punishable by expulsion from school. Most girls weren’t allowed to wear pants, and boys weren’t allowed to wear jeans. Most girls weren’t allowed to wear pants, and boys weren’t allowed to wear jeans. People worried about teens dating and “heavy petting.” No one talked about sex. People worried about teens dating and “heavy petting.” No one talked about sex. Dancing to rock & roll music was often banned, with school and teen dances shut down. Dancing to rock & roll music was often banned, with school and teen dances shut down.

Birth of Fast Food Restaurants Burger King – 1954 Dunkin’ Donuts – 1950 McDonald’s – 1955 Pizza Hut – 1958 BUT most people didn’t eat it regularly. At the same time, the quintessential 50’s meal involved red meat—usually steak.

“Unnatural” Things in Foods Chemicals or man-made things start to appear in foods more frequently. Chemicals or man-made things start to appear in foods more frequently. – High Fructose Corn Syrup – invented in 1957 – Hydrogenated Oil (trans fat) was becoming widespread – Saccharin (artificial sweetener) became very common (such as Sweet’n Low in 1957) – Lots of pesticides used on food

Changing Role of Women 60% of women dropped out of college to marry. 60% of women dropped out of college to marry. Average women’s size shrank from 1930s – 1950s. Average women’s size shrank from 1930s – 1950s. First Playboy magazine was in 1953 and featured Marilyn Monroe. First Playboy magazine was in 1953 and featured Marilyn Monroe.

LIFE – Dec. 24, 1956

Planned Obsolescence Companies make products that won’t last long on purpose so that you buy more! –B–B–B–Began in the mid-1950s, even worse today.  Result = changes in consumption patterns Like stereos, appliances, and cars! Like clothes and cell phones! Like computer operating systems!

Levittown & Suburbia Began in the late 1940’s Cookie-cutter uniformity Very cheap! –$–$–$–$8,000 for a house (equiv. of $70,000 today) –$–$–$–$10 deposit! (equiv. of $85 today) Assembly line process for building Had restrictive covenants (i.e. all white). Levittown Home

Building of Levittown

Design of the Homes Bathroom and kitchen share plumbing. Bathroom and kitchen share plumbing. Still had the feel of urban living. Still had the feel of urban living. Center of focus is the front of the house. Center of focus is the front of the house. Kids played in the front, not the back. Kids played in the front, not the back.

Transition to “Suburban Life” Focus shifted from urban to suburban life. Focus shifted from urban to suburban life. Design of homes “flipped” to make the backyard to focus. Design of homes “flipped” to make the backyard to focus. People were isolated from the front. People were isolated from the front.

Aerial View of Levittown