The 1950s in Color – Life in America

A look back at the 1950s in color.

The ’50s are arguably the most nostalgic years in US history.

The decade was marked by the post-World War II boom, the dawn of the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement in the United States.

The roles within the “ideal” American family were clearly defined. The father was the breadwinner, which supported his wife and their ever growing family.

On average, gas cost 18 cents per gallon at the start of the 1950s and 25 cents per gallon at the end of the decade.

The economy was booming, new cars, suburban houses and other consumer goods were available to more people than ever before.

Car culture took off in the 1950s. President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in June of 1956 to create 41,000 miles of national highways. This made family road trips possible!

Televisions became something the average family could afford. The Golden Age of Television was marked by family-friendly shows like I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Twilight Zone and Leave It To Beaver.

The 1950s saw the emergence of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which swept across the nation.

The booming prosperity of the 1950s helped to create a widespread sense of stability in the United States. That consensus was a fragile one, and would be tested in the following decade.

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