1. Economy of Abundance
America in the 1950s

2. Increasing Income Income triples in the U.S.
Disposable Income increases
Purchase new consumer goods
Marketing/
Advertising helps sales
Marketing is fastest growing industry
&
Manufacturers use more marketing techniques
The majority of this marketing was geared toward the individuals that lived in the new suburbs because of their growing income.

4. Suburbs Mass-produced Inexpensive, single-family Incentives
Tax deductions
Levittown (NY)
Smithsonian
Suburban population doubles while the cities only rise by 10 percent….Have students discuss this with the census information from last week.
Single-family homes grow from 41 to 61% between

5. By 1956 more white collar workers than blue collar workers.
Employment Changes
By 1956 more white collar workers than blue collar workers.
Most people work for large corporations
Franchises become popular…individual ownership but with part of a larger chain
What do you think white collar means?
Blue Collar?
Also, a pink collar…what do you think that represents?

6. Family
million babies were born….Baby Boom! Why? -GI bill (home ownership) -War -Culture that celebrates families

7. Rise of Mass Media 1946: 8,000 TV sets sold 1957: 40 million sets sold
The $64,000 Question
The Lone Ranger
I Love Lucy
Radio- new role…cars & advertising
Movies- new screen…Cinemascope draws in audiences
TV- 80% of Americans had atleast 1 TV in their home by 1957…part of the deal with some homes…
Radio- new audiences in cars (commuters) They would also promote different shows, advertising!
Movies- lost numbers in droves after TV…tried everything but nothing brought the crowds back until the large panaoramic screens

8. The Generation Gap Rock n’ Roll
Celebrate with loud music with a heavy beat for dancing
Elvis
Nat King Cole
The Beat Movement
Critics of1950’s culture
rebellion
The Gap between the adults and children…cultural differences
Johnny Carson show would not show Elvis at first because of issues with the hip thrusts not being family friendly. He went to another show, Johnny lost numbers and then had Elvis on without showing his hips!
Diversity on the TV was lacking…Nat king Cole had a variety show but iit was cancelled after 2 years because no national sponsors would take the show.
There were many AA musicians at this time…Chuck berry, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and groups like the Shirelles, and the Ronettes.