1. Pop Culture & the American Dream of the 1950s
How does pop culture influence the “American Dream”?

2. Corporations begin buying other companies creating conglomerates
American Business
As economy grew in the 50s more people move into higher-paying white collar professions (managers, sales, clerical)
Corporations begin buying other companies creating conglomerates
Businesses did not promote creativity or “rocking the boat”
Another new business strategy was the franchise
Ray Croc who bought McDonalds, franchised out the business & used simple assembly line method for restaurants

3. American Consumerism
1950s saw major spending spree in America, as new products were introduced: televisions, hi-fi stereos, dishwashers
Businesses also began planned obsolescence (don’t last as long so you buy a new model)
In addition to store credit, banks began issuing credit cards to make it easier to buy new products
Advertising increases in 50s becomes $6 billion industry

4. Life in Suburban America
More Americans (esp. whites) move to the suburbs, where they enjoyed shopping malls, bowling alleys and community clubs
TV also played a role in how suburban life was portrayed, esp when it came to gender roles
Discuss: How are gender roles (man & woman) portrayed on TV?

5. The Baby Boom
A huge population explosion begins in the late 1940s and 1950s called the Baby Boom (4.3 miilion per year at its height)
New developments in children’s medicine include Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine
Dr. Benjamin Spock writes best-selling book on child care
Day care centers and new schools are built to deal with the increasing “baby boom” population

6. Automania
Automania refers to Americans love & dependence on cars, esp because of interstate highway act
Businesses catered to cars, ex: drive-in restaurants & theatres
Cars & interstate hwy allows Americans to flock to vacation spots like lakes, beaches and amusement parks like Disneyland

7. Hollywood introduces 3-D films and 50% of films are in color
Entertainment of the 50s
Hollywood introduces 3-D films and 50% of films are in color
However, television is the biggest form of entertainment, 500 new TV stations and 95% increase in sales of TVs
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is formed to regulate broadcast mediums
Popular TV shows include Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Mickey Mouse Club & Howdy Doody

8. Invention of TV Guide & TV Dinners make viewing easier
Quiz shows like Twenty-One and Jeopardy were hugely successful until a 1958 cheating scandal
Invention of TV Guide & TV Dinners make viewing easier

9. Teenage Consumerism
Many businesses begin gearing products towards teenagers, since they spent millions on products, movies & food
Comic books, hygiene products, soft drinks, and fashion were marketed to teenagers
The Beatniks
Beat movement centered in San Francisco & Greenwich Village, NY focused on those who didn’t follow mainstream conformity
Beatniks read poetry in coffee houses, practiced Zen Buddhism, experimented w/ drugs & saw themselves as “counter-culture”

10. Elvis Presley brings Rock ‘n Roll into the mainstream
Popularized by teenagers of the 1950s, Rock ‘N’ Roll records made millions & artists were watched on American Bandstand
Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, “Little” Richard Penniman & Richie Valens are some of biggest artists of the decade
Elvis Presley brings Rock ‘n Roll into the mainstream