1. What is this? 1: Write two details that you see in this picture. 2: What do you think this is a picture of? 3: What is it used for?

2. It’s a Computer

3. White Suburbia In the 1950s

4. Post World War II: After the war, soldiers were given benefits under the “GI Bill” which helped pay for college and gave low- interest loans to buy houses or set up businesses.

5. The Economy after WWII Food and other goods were unavailable or rationed during the war. People had earned or saved money because luxury items were unavailable and the workforce increased to provide support for the war. After the war, this money was now available for houses, cars, and other consumer goods.

6. NEW HOMES! To meet the new demand for homes, William Levitt designed a plan to build homes that were pre-cut and pre- assembled materials in a factory to go up faster. His company produced over 17,000 new and affordable homes in the suburban areas around large cities (the first was Levittown, outside of Long Island, New York).

9. In the 1950s, 75% of new home construction was in the suburbs

10. Levittown, 1948

11. Highway Act of 1956 To connect the suburbs to the main cities To tie the nation together To improve the transport of military vehicles The federal government built 40,000 miles of highways

12. Automobile Designs In the suburbs, cars were necessary to transport the people (mostly working fathers) to jobs Highways promoted travel by car to “See America” Spurred growth of the automobile and oil industries

13. Cars in 1950s

14. Another Form of Transportation The growth of the airline industry offered fast transportation coast-to-coast and to other countries. Technology rapidly advanced to improve airline safety, speed, and comfort. Airplanes were beginning to replace trains for long distance trips (IF you could afford it!)

16. BABY BOOM!! Higher income, more tranquil times, better healthcare and vaccines, better nutrition = MORE BABIES Children born between 1946-1964 are called Baby Boomers

17. Population Growth During the 1950s, the U.S. population grew from 150 million to 179 million. That is about a 20% increase in ten years!!

18. The “Ideal” of White Suburban Family Life

19. And….

22. Suburban Backyard Barbeques!

23. Children in the 1950s: Popular shows for children included: the Mickey Mouse Club, Howdy Doody, Lassie, Lone Ranger, and Davy Crockett.

24. Teenagers in the 1950s The teenagers had spending money, new clothing styles, new dancing styles, and new music, including…….

25. PAT BOONE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8dx0oE- -VI

26. AND To REALLY scare their parents!

27. Elvis Presley!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5sDt 4ppnEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5sDt 4ppnE

28. Student Work: Take five minutes to discuss with your partner: The vocabulary words What life might have been like in the 1950s How would your life be different if the car and television had not been invented?

29. DAY 2 1: What is an advertisement? 2: List TWO reasons to create an advertisement? (What is their goal?) 3: How can an advertiser affect people?

30. Ads in the 1950s Focused on the “ideal” family (husbands buying their wives the newest gadget, or trying to out-do the neighbors) The rise of the teenager as a means of selling products Technology and new “convenience” products: Minute Rice (1950), Corn Pops (1950), Tupperware (1951),McDoanlds and Kentucky Fried Chicken (1955), TV Dinners (1954)

31. What is this an ad for?

32. Washing machine

33. Davy Crockett Items for Children

34. Entertainment Center, 1951 12’’ television screen! Phonograph (record player)!! Radio!! Speakers!! All in an attractive wood cabinet! ONLY $299! (the average household income was 3,000 to 5,000)

35. Tape recorder/player

36. “Come out of the Shadows” with our new cosmetics

38. “Does your husband look younger than you do?”

40. Swimsuits!

41. 1950s Commercials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BxyJ- Yc5E4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BxyJ- Yc5E4

42. Student Work: Students will discuss in groups: What ethnic groups did the advertisements leave out? What did the 1950s consumer culture promote as the “ideal”? How do you think the advertisements affected the life of the white suburban housewife? Did the standards of cleanliness and role of women change?

43. Wrap-Up Activity: Students will choose a technological device and create an advertisement that may have been in a 1950s magazine or on a television show: Students must include illustrations, color, a white housewife (appropriately dressed for the time period) and other details that would appeal to a 1950s audience.