Chlorophyll Many Americans used products containing chlorophyll
because it promised to make you smell clean and fresh Sold in
toothpaste, gum, deodorants, canned dog food, etc. The American
Medial Association explained grazing goats live on chlorophyll and
still smell bad, which put an end to the fad Barbie Dolls Ruth
Handler came up with the idea of Barbie while watching her daughter
Barbara play with paper dolls. Barbara would give the doll adult
occupations Barbies full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts There
was controversy over Barbie for being too ditsy after she was
claimed to say Math class is tough over 350,000 Barbie dolls were
sold the first year Hula hoops In 1958, two toy makers came up with
the hula hoop Only 6 months later, around 3 million kids were
playing with them Stuffing This fad was popular among college
students in the late 50s The main idea was so cram as many people
as possible into a small area (phone booths, stalls, etc.)
Slide 4
Drive-In Theaters Because the production of cars was booming
and going to the movies was becoming increasingly popular, drive-in
theaters became the latest fad Families and friends could drive
into the lot and watch the movie from the comfort of their own car
Disneyland Walt Disney took his two daughters, Diane and Sharon to
play on the carousel at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, but while his
daughters played, he had nothing to do he dreamed of a park where
both children and adults had something to do First he created an
8-acre park called Mickey Mouse Park which was too small An
160-acre orange orchard in Anaheim, California was perfect for
Disneys new vision: Disneyland Opened officially on July 18, 1955
entrance fee of $1 6,000 invitation-only-guests were invited the
day before for a special preview, 22,000 extra people showed up
with counterfeit tickets Disneyland has had more than 600 million
guests since its opened
Slide 5
Due to the terror or communism infiltrating the American
society, many people turned to the conservative way of life unity
to prevent the spread of Godless Communism a push for religion in
hopes of containing the expansion of communist organizations within
the US This conservatism also transcended into the fashion styles
of the 1950s: Adult fashion was highly conservative; Womens
clothing emphasized fragile femininity and Mens fashion was all
about being prim and proper Business men favored grey business
suits as the ideal Penny loafers were also the standard part of the
American business man Soft shoulders, stiletto heels, wrist lengths
gloves, and full long skirts. Pencil skirts and conservative tops
as work uniforms Return of corsets
Slide 6
Though rebellion and rises against conformity were starting to
become popular amongst the youth of America, many young adults were
still very conservative when it came to fashion Male Teenage
Fashion Tight jeans Blazers and Jackets Cardigans sweater Because
of Rock n Roll influence, some boys dressed as Greasers including
leather jackets, t shirts, and blue jeans. Female Teenage Fashion
Long dresses with sleeves Poodle skirts with cardigans Rolled up
jeans (considered casual) Scarves
Slide 7
Hair styles in the 1950s varied but were mostly conservative as
well Girls Hair Styles: Pony tails Poodle cuts Bouffant look Boys
Hair Styles: The Flattop Crew Cuts Swooping Ducktail
Slide 8
Music in the 1950s had a very great impact on the American
culture. As conservatism spread and adults attempted to push their
confirmative ways onto their children, more and more young adults
began to rebel due to increased popularity of Rock n Roll and its
controversial lyrics and melodies never seen before. Buddy Holly
CConsidered the pioneer or rock n roll Ritchie Valens MMexican
American singer and song writer that transformed Mexican folk songs
into rock and roll hits Elvis Presley KKing of rock n roll MMost
important popularize of rock and roll
Slide 9
PPat Boone he is considered to be the first rock and roll teen
idol (1955) Sold over 45 million albums, achieved 38 Top 40 hits
and was in more than 12 Hollywood movies His rendition of Fats
Dominos Aint That a Shame kicked off his successful career His
singles were mostly R&B covers by African American singers;
including Tutti Frutti by Little Richard, "At My Front Door (Crazy
Little Mama)" by the El Dorados, and Dont Forbid Me by Charles
Singleton At 23 he began hosting a television show called The Pat
Boon Chevy Showroom, which ran for 115 episodes BBill Haley The
Rock and Roll Era formed when the movie The Blackboard Jungle
featured Bill Haley and the Comets in its opening credits their
song caused teens to get up and dance in the aisles Their record
Rock Around the Clock was the first record to sell over one million
copies in both Britain and Germany He was also the first major
American rock singer to tour Europe FFrank Sinatra He began his
fame in the swing era He learned by ear and never actually learned
to read music Some of his most popular songs include Thats Life,
Ive Got You Under My Skin, and Fly Me to the Moon He also had a
successful career as a film actor
Slide 10
Sitcoms Also known as Situation Comedies A comedy based around
a some sort of situation that the characters must solve by the end
of the episode or over a period of episodes. Modern Examples: Two
and Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family Older Examples:
Family Matters, Full House, That 70s Show, Seinfeld There are also
animated sitcoms like the Simpsons One of the many variety of
programs that played during 1950s Television programming. Did I do
that?
Slide 11
Soap Operas Daily Series melodrama that originated in the US It
is considered one of the few original American Art forms. Was
originally broadcasted on radio and became popular on daytime
television. It is called a soap opera because these operas were
normally sponsored by soap manufactures Modern Examples: All My
Children and One Life to Live Dont ask me how I know this I hardly
know anything about soaps.