16:2 The Affluent Society Between 1940 and 1955 average income of American family tripled “Economy of Abundance” – Economist John Kenneth Galbraith All societies before had “economy of scarcity” – Economic prosperity limited due to: » Lack of resources » Over-population

16:2 Growth of Suburbia Mass-produced suburbs around cities in 1950s – Levittown, N.Y. one of first Reasons for growth: – Escape crime and congestion of city – Better life for family – Suburbs = “The American Dream”

16:2 The Baby Boom – More than 65 million babies born in U.S. At height, child born every 7 seconds – Reasons: Men and women put off marriage until after wars GI bill made purchasing a home easier T.V. and magazines celebrated pregnancy, parenthood, and large families

16:2 The Changing Workplace More Americans working in offices – “white collar jobs” Franchise – A person owns and runs several stores of a chain operation Critics of the change – “The Lonely Crowd”, David Reisman (1950) Before: people were inner-directed – Value came from family approval and sense of self Now: other-directed – Value comes from approval of company and community

16:2 Advances in Electronics The resistor decreased the size of radios

16:2 Advances in Electronics Dawn of the computer age – U.S. military develops world’s first computer (1946) Jet airlines – Development of plastics and light metals

16:2 Medical Miracles Radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer CPR to resuscitate the heart Pacemakers Antibiotics greatly decreased death from tuberculosis Vaccine developed for polio – Jonas Salk

16:2 Rise of Television Comedy – “I Love Lucy” Action – “Lone Ranger”, “Gunsmoke” (Western) – “Dragnet” (police drama) Sports on TV become very popular

16:2 Hollywood Responds Weekly movie attendance – 1946: 82 million – 1950: 36 million Hollywood tries to lure people back – 3-D movies – Cinemascope Large, panoramic screens

16:2 Radio Changes T.V. and movies make radio shows obsolete – Radios turn their focus to Weather Music News sports Talk shows – Radio’s big advantage over T.V. and Hollywood: Radios begin to appear in cars

16:2 Rock ‘n Roll Alan Freed, radio DJ in Cleveland – Convinced station to play music on air – Noticed White teens dancing to African-American music in record stores – White artists influenced by African-American music = rock ‘n roll – “Generation gap” Cultural separation between parents and their children – First rock star: Elvis Presley

16:2 The Beat Movement “Beatniks” – Poets, writers, artists Harshly criticized – conformity of American life – Meaninglessness of American politics – Emptiness of pop culture Provided foundation for Sixties rebellions Jack Kerouac – “On the Road” (1957)