The 1950’s
Actresses “Marilyn Monroe” Real name- Norma Jean Baker Appeared in Some Like It Hot Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Niagara Seven Year Itch
Actresses Elizabeth Taylor Appeared in A Place in the Sun Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Actors James Dean Appeared in Rebel Without A Cause East of Eden Giant
Actors Marlon Brando Appeared in On The Waterfront Guys and Dolls Julius Caesar The Wild One
Actors Paul Newman Appeared in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof The Long, Hot Summer The Rack Until They Sail
Early 50’s Wholesome artist with sweet lyrics controlled the charts. Feel good music set the mood for post WWII.
Birth of Rock and Roll Alan Freed was the first DJ who played black R&B and Rock and Roll. Sam Phillips recorded for anyone, any color, anytime and anywhere. Alan Freed Sam Phillips
The King Elvis the “pelvis” started a musical revolution. He is known as one of the most famous musicians of all time.
Musicians of the 50’s Little Richard Johnny Cash Buddy Holly's Chuck Berry "Fats" Domino Jerry Lee Lewis Frankie Avalon
Hairstyles No blow-dryers were used to create the 50’s hair dos. Hair pins and hair spray gave the women the look they wanted.
Hairstyles The very popular Poodle cut was worn by Lucy. Perms were also very popular.
Teenage Hairstyles Strait hair was out soft and curly was in. A ponytail with a chiffon scarf was worn to casual events.
Men's Hairstyles A “duck tail” was worn by the “greasers” or rebellious boys. Crew cuts and Flat tops were worn by teens. Adult men wore clean, short hair.
Make-Up Peaches and cream Narrowed eyebrows Natural blush/Natural eye shadow During the night with eyeliner and red lipstick
Historical Events Creation of the Hydrogen Bomb Korean War Selective Service Bill lowers draft age to 18 ½. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed for stealing A-bomb secrets. Eisenhower elected President
Historical Events Brown vs. the Board of Education rules that segregation is illegal. Rosa Parks won’t give up her seat on the bus. Montgomery Bus Boycott US Surgeon General reports link between cigarettes and lung cancer.
Historical Events 1,000 army paratroopers called in by Eisenhower to ensure the integration of Central High School. Soviets launch Sputnik 1. First manmade satellite. Schools start to become privatized in order to avoid enrolling blacks. Alaska and Hawaii become 49th and 50th State.
Popular Activities Lego Barbie Hula Hoops Roller Skating
More Popular Activities Watching Sporting Games Playing Board Games Playing Outside Watching T.V. Silly Putty Matchbox Cars Cards
Charles Sifford Arnold Palmer Sports first television hero. 1st Black golfer to win PGA sponsored event.
Ben Hogan Althea Gibson First Black woman in National Tennis tournament. “Golfer of the year” Won US Open after near fatal car crash. Althea Gibson
Ted Williams Played for Boston Red Sox Baseball’s highest paid player- $125,000.
Popular T.V. Shows
I Love Lucy The Most Popular
Leave It To Beaver The Lone Ranger American Bandstand The Honeymooners Dick Clark Leave It To Beaver The Lone Ranger American Bandstand The Honeymooners Superman
Kids Shows Mickey Mouse Club Lassie Howdy Doody
Fashion
Women Women were groomed and tailored, and wore heels and gloves. Swing skirts and pencil cut style dresses with girdles. Peter pan collars.
Shorts and Pants
Men’s Fashion Gray flannel suits/with hats Cowboy shirts Plaid shirts
Female Teen Fashion Saddle shoes They wore dresses everyday Jumpers with blouses Sailor outfits Poodle skirts
Male Teen Fashion Preps wore cardigan sweaters or letterman's jackets. “Greasers” wore white t-shirts, blue jeans, and black jackets.
Political Events President Truman orders to develop the hydrogen bomb. Senator McCarthy launches a crusade to rout out communism in America. “McCarthyism” is born. Korean War begins. The first usable electricity from nuclear fission is produced.
Inventions First Copy Machine Paper Mate- First Leak Free Ball Point Pen Solar Powered Wrist Watch Play-Doh Television Disposable Diapers
Inventions First Plastic Coke Bottle Sputnik 1 Pantyhose First Convention Microwave oven UPC Polio Vaccine Liquid Paper
Cars Corvette Thunderbird
Disneyland Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. It had 18 major attractions.
McDonald’s Opens
Drive-Ins & Drive-Thrus People really enjoyed drive-ins because you could put the kids in their pajamas and spend a cool summer evening at the drive-in, rather than heading for the city and a stuffy indoor theatre.