If you were alive in the 50's, you will remember:
- If you bought a new house in this decade, it would have cost you an average of $8,450.00 in the beginning of the decade or $12, 400.00 at the end of the decade.
- The average income in the beginning of the decade was $3,210.00. By the end of the decade it was $5,010.00.
- In 1950 the price of gas was $0.18 per gallon. By 1959 it was $0.25 per gallon.
- The average cost of a new car in 1950 was $1,510.00. By 1959 the average price of a new car was $2,200.00.
- In the 50's, a man would buy a new all wool suit for $28.90 and a lady would get a square dance cotton checked dress for $3.29.
- A 1 carat diamond engagement ring would set you back $399.00.
- The first oral contraceptive was introduced (The Pill) by Luis E. Miramontes.
- The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth.
- The first credit card was introduced in 1950 by Ralph Schneider.
- Inventions such as: The atomic clock, frozen french fries, computer modem, the hovercraft, the hydrogen bomb, the microchip, transistor radio, tape recorder, and video tape were introduced in this decade.
- Television was brought into homes for the first time.
- Gary Copper, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, John Wayne, James Stewart, Frank Sinatra and Marylin Monroe were movie stars and household names.
- Elvis Presley was the King of Rock 'n' Roll... then there were other music artists like: Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, and Dean Martin.
- Cribs were painted with brightly colored lead paint.
- Sock Hops, Drive In's, and 50's Diners were the place for dates.
- Teachers were allowed to paddle you if you were bad.
- Milk was delivered to your home every day in glass bottles.
- Poodle Skirts and wife beaters were trendy.
- Families were much larger... with an average family having 6 children.
- In the 50's you saw: The Diary of Anne Frank was first published, The first KFC was opened, The Today Show first aired, and MAD Magazine made it's first issue.
Like this guide? Be sure to check out my other guides too!
Guide created: 01/18/09 (updated 01/18/09)


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