The 1950s

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ChlorophyllMany Americans used products containing chlorophyll because it promised to make you smell clean and freshSold 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 fadBarbie DollsRuth Handler came up with the idea of Barbie while watching her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls. Barbara would give the doll adult occupationsBarbies full name is Barbara Millicent RobertsThere was controversy over Barbie for being too ditsy after she was claimed to say Math class is toughover 350,000 Barbie dolls were sold the first yearHula hoopsIn 1958, two toy makers came up with the hula hoopOnly 6 months later, around 3 million kids were playing with themStuffingThis fad was popular among college students in the late 50sThe main idea was so cram as many people as possible into a small area (phone booths, stalls, etc.)

Fads and Fashions

Drive-In TheatersBecause the production of cars was booming and going to the movies was becoming increasingly popular, drive-in theaters became the latest fadFamilies and friends could drive into the lot and watch the movie from the comfort of their own carDisneylandWalt 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 doFirst he created an 8-acre park called Mickey Mouse Park which was too smallAn 160-acre orange orchard in Anaheim, California was perfect for Disneys new vision: DisneylandOpened officially on July 18, 1955 entrance fee of $16,000 invitation-only-guests were invited the day before for a special preview, 22,000 extra people showed up with counterfeit ticketsDisneyland has had more than 600 million guests since its opened

Fads and Fashions

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 Communisma push for religion in hopes of containing the expansion of communist organizations within the USThis 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 properBusiness men favored grey business suits as the idealPenny loafers were also the standard part of the American business manSoft shoulders, stiletto heels, wrist lengths gloves, and full long skirts.Pencil skirts and conservative tops as work uniformsReturn of corsets

FashionsThough 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 fashionMale Teenage FashionTight jeansBlazers and JacketsCardigans sweater Because of Rock n Roll influence, some boys dressed as Greasers including leather jackets, t shirts, and blue jeans.Female Teenage FashionLong dresses with sleevesPoodle skirts with cardigansRolled up jeans (considered casual)Scarves Fashions

Hair styles in the 1950s varied but were mostly conservative as wellGirls Hair Styles:Pony tailsPoodle cutsBouffant lookBoys Hair Styles:The FlattopCrew CutsSwooping DucktailFashions

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 Considered the pioneer or rock n rollRitchie ValensMexican American singer and song writer that transformed Mexican folk songs into rock and roll hitsElvis PresleyKing of rock n rollMost important popularize of rock and roll

MusicPat 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 moviesHis rendition of Fats Dominos Aint That a Shame kicked off his successful careerHis 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 SingletonAt 23 he began hosting a television show called The Pat Boon Chevy Showroom, which ran for 115 episodesBill HaleyThe 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 GermanyHe was also the first major American rock singer to tour EuropeFrank SinatraHe began his fame in the swing eraHe 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 MoonHe also had a successful career as a film actor

Music

SitcomsAlso known as Situation ComediesA 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 FamilyOlder Examples: Family Matters, Full House, That 70s Show, SeinfeldThere are also animated sitcoms like the SimpsonsOne of the many variety of programs that played during 1950s Television programming.

Theatre, Film, Television, & RadioDid I do that?Soap OperasDaily Series melodrama that originated in the USIt 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 manufacturesModern Examples: All My Children and One Life to LiveTheatre, Film, Television, & RadioDont ask me how I know this I hardly know anything about soaps.