While the time machine is under construction (we like to believe so!), all we can do to travel back in time by going through some pictures from the past that give us an insight into the world that we could not be in. We are taking you to the 1950s here with the pictures that you have never seen before. Welcome to a practical time machine!
What’s Trendy?
Fashion changes with the blink of an eye (well, almost!). Imagine how much it would have altered after the ‘50s. We can assist your imagination by telling you that this photo is taken from a Vogue issue of 1958. So, the 1950s trends involved velvet dome hats, fur muffs, and baby waist dresses.
Let’s come back to the present for a while and think about all the current fashion trends. It’s hard to put them together in a few sentences as they are vast. From oversized coats to sparkly dresses, we have seen a lot recently.
What Dating Meant
While people are busy swiping right or left on the dating apps today, there was a time when teenagers only went on double dates.
This is 1958 and the two teens are happy about getting to spend some time together. Sharing a milkshake was a big deal then and we know what “big deal” means now. From a few double dates, they shifted to single ones after their bond strengthened.
Hamburgers From McDonald’s – A Steal
If you have ever wondered what McDonald's drive-in looked like in the ‘50s, here is a photo from 1956 that explains it. We guess not much has changed about that except a few technological additions to take our special orders.
You could savor your favorite hamburger by spending just 15 cents at that time. We all know how much we splurge on fast food today!
Time To Take-Off… To 1950
When we are all set to take a flight these days, we get into our most comfortable outfits (of course, track pants and oversized hoodies). But that would be frowned upon during the 1950s (well, sort of) as people got dressed up in formals like dresses and suits when the boarded a plane.
You can tell a lot about the ‘50s flying experience after looking at this picture. Before you jump to conclusions, we have to inform you – smoking was allowed on the flight.
World Of A Wife
This was the scene of almost every household after the Second World War. The women stayed indoors and did the chores including cooking, washing, and cleaning. This picture carries significance because of the pink range and cooktop you see here. It was every woman’s favorite cooking set up.
This picture is from 1957 and says a lot about the interests of people during those times. We guess we came a long way after that as cookware is far more advanced (and not pink, right?).
Drive-In Theaters – A Hit
For all those who love watching movies but don’t have the same feelings about staying indoors, drive-in theaters are a savior. As much as such theaters got popular in the 1950s, we don’t think they have similar fame now.
According to Jim Kopp of the United Drive-in Theatre Owners Association, “They offered family entertainment. People could sit in their cars, they could bring their babies, they could smoke. Drive-ins offered more flexibility than indoor theaters.”
The True Suburbs
When we take a look at this photo, all we wish is to be a part of this happy crowd relaxing in a beautiful green space in the suburbs. However, for that to be fulfilled, you need to wake up in the 1950s one morning. That is not feasible unless we have grown a lot in terms of technology.
We don’t actually get to witness such an environment in the suburbs these days. It’s more towards being opulent rather than comfortable. We guess we are habitual of that too!
And The Award Goes To…
We all wait eagerly for the Academy Awards to air on the television and the excitement level is unmatched when our favorite stars are nominated. We are just glued to the TV for the entire duration of the show.
You probably are unaware of the fact that the Academy Awards were never televised until March 19, 1953. Yes, that’s when the 25th annual Academy Awards were telecast. So, next time when you watch them on TV, be grateful that you get to have a look at the winners on your screens.
The Typical Typing Pool
Yes, there was a time when such typing pools existed where women were hired for typing documents and letters based on their short-hand skills.
Women can be seen in every field these days and they are contributing majorly in those areas. But that wasn’t the case more than 50 years ago. Women could mostly be seen only working as secretaries or typists just as this 1959 typing pool at the London retailer Marks and Spencer’s workplace.
Good Day To Cycle Around
With our hectic schedules, we don’t get time to head outside and bike around the town and breathe fresh air. Let’s rewind and go back to the 1950s and see the status of cycling during that time. This photo explains that scenario as you can spot kids in Fairfax, Delaware enjoying a bright day on bikes.
Now, if we compare it with the present, we can sense the tremendous change that has occurred. You will not witness the children engaged in outdoor activities with such enthusiasm. They are gripped to the phones and find happiness in those devices!
20 And Married
This one might sound a bit weird but that’s how things worked in the 1950s. Women were expected to tie the knot and settle when they turn 20. For men, this age was 22. We are glad that times changed and there is no age limit for getting married in the present scenario.
This picture was taken at a wedding in 1950 and strangely, the bride was just a teenager. You have to believe that! Also, divorce was very rare as the beliefs were quite restrained then.
Shop And Swipe
You guessed it right, we are talking about the origination of credit cards that are making your life easy and convenient presently. Obviously, this began from somewhere and as per the facts, 1951 saw its first charge card issued by Franklin's National Bank.
After four years, the first U.S patent with “credit card” written on it was accorded by three people who came up with a gas pump that accepted those cards.
Analyzing The Food
The meals of today and the 1950s were contrasting in quite a few ways. The drastic change came after WWII ended. The term “foody” was not as common as it is now. We all are “foodies” to some extent, right? Admit it!
Times were simpler and so were the people of the ‘50s. The entire family sat together for the meals of the day that included meat, vegetables and desserts, everything prepared at home. This picture says it all.
Focusing On Home Interiors
This picture of a house is impressive, right? No, this is not some advertisement of a luxurious home, in fact, this is what houses looked like in the ‘50s. It’s a real home and we know it’s pretty!
During that era, home décor gained importance and women focused on making their homes look flawless by cleaning and arranging everything perfectly. Their effort showed!
Disneyland Adventures Await!
We wonder where happiness lied before July 17, 1955, as Disneyland Park came into existence on that date!
All the people in California, America know what we are talking about as they know where to look for joy now. It’s right there at the theme park. We all are attracted to that and won’t miss any opportunity to head there for an adventure.
Also, it’s important to mention that the total cost of constructing this place of bliss was $17 million. Worth it is all we have to say.
Robots For Kids
When we talk about the toys available for kids today, the hi-tech things come into our mind as that’s what children love to play with. However, things were very different in the 1950s.
This picture is enough to explain the kids’ choices during that time. This robot was first seen in 1959 at the American Fair in Moscow. It could walk, talk and had a remote control. All this for only six dollars. That money won’t make a kid happy now as the toys are extremely expensive.
On The Skates!
The 1950s saw people indulging in new and fun outdoor activities including roller skating. The kids spent their free time skating around and it was considered to be a good sport. These two girls in the picture are preparing themselves for a skating experience.
Look closely, the skates that existed in the ‘50s were very different from the rollerblades that you see today. They had a key that kept the skates tightened to the shoes. Don’t tag them “ancient” yet!
House Turning To Home With Ease…
Most of the people in the country right now are struggling to own a house and call it home as the prices have skyrocketed recently. After we reveal the cost of a house in the ‘50s, you will wish to be just transported back to that era.
You could get a house by spending $14,000 (that’s an average price). We know your jaws dropped on reading that amount! Someone take us there, already.
Belief In TV Dinners
If we consider the current choices of people about meals, TV dinners don’t have a good place there. Many of us like to head out to grab a quick bite at a popular food joint but that wasn’t the case during the 1950s.
People relied on TV dinners whenever they skipped cooking as all they had to do was heat up the aluminum tray that had meat and vegetables. Sounds convenient but the preferences changed a lot over time!
Skyscrapers Began Here
We should probably talk about the architecture of the country and the past related to it. The Lever House in Midtown Manhattan, New York City got completed in 1952 and was built following the International Style. Soon, the architectural trends changed and the builders stuck to the International Style.
That’s when the skyscrapers began to be built more around the country. We have quite a lot now. The only difference lies in the designing of such buildings.
