1010thth American History American History

Unit IV – A Champion of Unit IV – A Champion of DemocracyDemocracy

Chapter 16- Post War AmericaChapter 16- Post War America

Section 3 – The Television AgeSection 3 – The Television Age

The Television AgeThe Television Age

The Main IdeaTelevision was a major influence on American culture in the

1950s, mirroring larger changes in technology and culture.

Reading Focus

• How did television change American life in the 1950s?

• What other technological developments occurred during the 1950s?

• How was American culture changing during the 1950s?

Television in the 1950sTelevision in the 1950s

By the end of World War II, television was ready for home use.

Postwar consumers purchased the new device. In 1950, 9 percent of U.S. households had televisions. In 1960, 87 percent of U.S. households had

televisions.

Television had an immediate impact on American culture. On politics In advertising

Some Americans questioned the effects of television—especially on children.

Television Changes American Television Changes American LifeLife

Advertisers realized that TV’s combination of pictures and sound gave it more persuasive power than radio.

At first, a single advertiser sponsored the broadcast of an entire program—for example, the Colgate Comedy Hour.

As the cost of producing TV shows rose, advertisers shifted to buying just one- or two-minute segments during a show.

Politics

Politicians quickly realized that TV had great power to change their relationship with voters.

Richard Nixon and the Checkers speech

Joseph McCarthy and the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings

Advertising

Baby Boom- Burma ShaveBaby Boom- Burma Shave

His cheek Was rough His chick vamoosed And now she won't Come home to roost Burma-Shave

The place to pass On curves You know Is only at A beauty show Burma-Shave

On curves ahead Remember, sonny That rabbit's foot Didn't save The bunny Burma-Shave

Twinkle, twinkle One-eyed car We all wonder WHERE you are Burma-Shave

These signs We gladly Dedicate To men who've had No date of late Burma-Shave

A guy Who drives A car wide open Is not thinkin' He's just hopin' Burma-Shave

To kiss A mug That's like a cactus Takes more nerve Than it does practice Burma-Shave

Burma-Shave Was such a boom They passed The bride And kissed the groom

The whale Put Jonah Down the hatch But coughed him up Because he scratched Burma-Shave

Candidate says Campaign Confusing Babies kiss me Since I've been using Burma-Shave

He tried To cross As fast train neared Death didn't draft him He volunteered Burma-Shave

She will Flood your face With kisses 'Cause you smell So darn delicious Burma-Shave Lotion

Altho insured Remember, kiddo They don't pay you They pay Your widow Burma-Shave

I'd heard it praised By drug store clerks I tried the stuff Hot dog! It works Burma-Shave

His face Was smooth And cool as ice And oh! Louise! He smelled so nice Burma-Shave Lotion

Television Changes American Television Changes American LifeLife

Some were concerned about the effects of TV.

Congress looked into the effects of violent content on young viewers.

TV experienced a scandal in the late 1950s when the public discovered that a game show had been rigged.

Programming

Lucille Ball was the star of a hugely popular comedy called the I Love Lucy show.

Milton Berle’s popular program of comedy and music helped television get established.

American Bandstand appealed to the rock-and-roll crowd.

Soap operas, crime dramas, and game shows all got their start during the 1950s.

Concernsabout

TV

Baby BoomBaby Boom - - Television- QUIZ SHOWSTelevision- QUIZ SHOWS

A naively trusting public of the Fifties fell in love with A naively trusting public of the Fifties fell in love with television game shows. Some of the games were played for television game shows. Some of the games were played for laughs and some for prizes and some for big money. Some laughs and some for prizes and some for big money. Some survive today in contemporary form. The Price is Right survive today in contemporary form. The Price is Right wasn't born with Bob Barker at the helm. It was Bill Cullen wasn't born with Bob Barker at the helm. It was Bill Cullen in 1956.in 1956.

On Sunday nights everything came to stop while America On Sunday nights everything came to stop while America watched watched The $64,000 QuestionThe $64,000 Question. At their peak, there were 22 . At their peak, there were 22 game shows on the air. game shows on the air.

By 1958 no one was laughing. That naive trust had been By 1958 no one was laughing. That naive trust had been replaced by a suspicious cynicism that is with us yet. Why? replaced by a suspicious cynicism that is with us yet. Why? Because many of the shows were rigged. The "winners" Because many of the shows were rigged. The "winners" Americans had rooted for had been supplied with the Americans had rooted for had been supplied with the answers in advance.answers in advance.

Charles Van Doren,Charles Van Doren, - “Twenty-One”. - “Twenty-One”. As Van Doren kept As Van Doren kept winning, his popularity grew until he became a recognized winning, his popularity grew until he became a recognized celebrity. His acting ability didn't suffer either as America celebrity. His acting ability didn't suffer either as America watched him "agonize" over each question. Ultimately, he won watched him "agonize" over each question. Ultimately, he won $129,000 - a hefty sum at any time, but a huge amount in the 50's$129,000 - a hefty sum at any time, but a huge amount in the 50's

The scandal prompted Congressional hearings. Although The scandal prompted Congressional hearings. Although there were no laws prohibiting the "fixing" of game shows, there were no laws prohibiting the "fixing" of game shows, both the networks and their sponsors acknowledged the both the networks and their sponsors acknowledged the public's distaste and kept game shows off the air for quite public's distaste and kept game shows off the air for quite some time.some time.

I’ve Got A Secret

Price is right

Queen for a Day

This Is Your Life

To Tell the Truth

What’s My Line?

Twenty-One- Scandal

Baby Boom - Baby Boom - TV DramasTV Dramas Daytime Soap Operas- Daytime Soap Operas- Hawkins Hawkins

Falls- Falls- 1950-19551950-1955 DragnetDragnet- 1950-1970- Jack Webb- 1950-1970- Jack Webb Alfred Hitchcock Presents- Alfred Hitchcock Presents- mystery/ mystery/

suspense dramas that came to an end after the suspense dramas that came to an end after the last commercial. 1955-1962last commercial. 1955-1962

Dick Powell TheatreDick Powell Theatre Kraft Suspense TheatreKraft Suspense Theatre Studio OneStudio One The WhistlerThe Whistler Superman- Starring George Reeves- Superman- Starring George Reeves-

1951-19571951-1957 Perry Mason - Lawyer- 1957-1966Perry Mason - Lawyer- 1957-1966 Robin Hood- 1955-1958Robin Hood- 1955-1958 Route 66- 1960-1964Route 66- 1960-1964 Highway Patrol- 1955-1959Highway Patrol- 1955-1959 The Grey Ghost- 1957-1959The Grey Ghost- 1957-1959 The Fugitive- 1963-1967The Fugitive- 1963-1967 77 Sunset Strip- 1958-196477 Sunset Strip- 1958-1964 Ben Casey- Doctor show- 1961-1966Ben Casey- Doctor show- 1961-1966

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Perry Mason

Robin HoodRoute 66

Baby Boom - WesternsBaby Boom - Westerns Roy Rogers- 1951-1957Roy Rogers- 1951-1957 Hopalong Cassidy- 1949-1951Hopalong Cassidy- 1949-1951 Gene Autry- 1950-1956Gene Autry- 1950-1956 Death Valley Days- 1952-1970(Ron Reagan)Death Valley Days- 1952-1970(Ron Reagan) Sgt. Preston of the Yukon- 1955-1958Sgt. Preston of the Yukon- 1955-1958 Tombstone Territory- 1957-1958Tombstone Territory- 1957-1958 Rough Riders- 1958-1959Rough Riders- 1958-1959 Swamp Fox- 1959-1961Swamp Fox- 1959-1961 Johnny Ringo- 1959-1960Johnny Ringo- 1959-1960 Laredo- 1967-1969Laredo- 1967-1969 Here Come the Brides- 1968-1970Here Come the Brides- 1968-1970 Bat Masterson- 1958-1961Bat Masterson- 1958-1961 Annie Oakley - 1952-1956Annie Oakley - 1952-1956 Branded- 1965-1966Branded- 1965-1966 Cisco Kid- 1950-1955- Cisco Kid- 1950-1955- “Oh, Cisco, Oh Poncho”“Oh, Cisco, Oh Poncho” Davey Crockett- 1954-1955Davey Crockett- 1954-1955 Gunsmoke- 1955-1971Gunsmoke- 1955-1971 Life and Times of Wyatt Earp- 1955-1961Life and Times of Wyatt Earp- 1955-1961 Lone Ranger- 1949-1957Lone Ranger- 1949-1957 Maverick- 1957-1962Maverick- 1957-1962 Riflman- 1958-1963Riflman- 1958-1963 Rin Tin Tin- 1954-1959Rin Tin Tin- 1954-1959 Wild Bill Hickock- 1951-1958Wild Bill Hickock- 1951-1958 Yancy Derringer- 1958-1959Yancy Derringer- 1958-1959 Zorro- 1957-1959Zorro- 1957-1959

Baby Boom - Variety ShowsBaby Boom - Variety Shows American Bandstand- Dick Clark- 1952-1987American Bandstand- Dick Clark- 1952-1987 Arthur Godfrey- 1949-1959Arthur Godfrey- 1949-1959 Milton Berle Show- 1948-1967Milton Berle Show- 1948-1967 Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour- 1948-Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour- 1948-

19701970 Your Show of ShowsYour Show of Shows- Sid Ceasar and Imogene - Sid Ceasar and Imogene

Coca. 1950-1954Coca. 1950-1954 Perry Como Show- 1948-1963Perry Como Show- 1948-1963 Colgate Comedy Hour- 1950-1955Colgate Comedy Hour- 1950-1955 You Hit Parade- 1950-1959You Hit Parade- 1950-1959 Jack Benny Show- 1950-1965Jack Benny Show- 1950-1965 People are Funny- Art Linkletter- 1954-People are Funny- Art Linkletter- 1954-

19611961 George Gobel Show- “Lonesome George”- George Gobel Show- “Lonesome George”-

1954-19601954-1960 Ed Sullivan Show- 1948-1971- “A really big Ed Sullivan Show- 1948-1971- “A really big

shew”shew” Diana Shore Show- 1951-1963 + 1974-1980 Diana Shore Show- 1951-1963 + 1974-1980 Lawrence Welk- 1955-1977Lawrence Welk- 1955-1977 Red Skelton- 1951-1971- “God Bless”Red Skelton- 1951-1971- “God Bless” Ernie Kovacs- 1952-1962Ernie Kovacs- 1952-1962 Jackie Gleason- 1952-1970Jackie Gleason- 1952-1970

Baby Boom - Comedy ShowsBaby Boom - Comedy Shows

Amos and Andy- 1951-1953Amos and Andy- 1951-1953 Andy Griffith Show- 1960-1968Andy Griffith Show- 1960-1968 Bachelor Father- 1957-1962Bachelor Father- 1957-1962 Batman- 1966-1968Batman- 1966-1968 Beverly Hillbillies- 1962-1971Beverly Hillbillies- 1962-1971 Brady Bunch- 1969-1974Brady Bunch- 1969-1974 Burns and Allen- 1950-1958Burns and Allen- 1950-1958 Car 54 Where are you?- 1961-1963Car 54 Where are you?- 1961-1963 Make Room for Danny- Danny Thomas- 1953-1964Make Room for Danny- Danny Thomas- 1953-1964 Dennis the Menace- 1959-1963Dennis the Menace- 1959-1963 Many Loves of Doby Gillis- 1959-1963Many Loves of Doby Gillis- 1959-1963 Get Smart- 1965-1969Get Smart- 1965-1969 Gilligans Island- 1964-1967Gilligans Island- 1964-1967 I Dream of Jeannie- 1965-1970I Dream of Jeannie- 1965-1970 I Love Lucy- 1951-1957I Love Lucy- 1951-1957 The Honeymooners- 1952-1961The Honeymooners- 1952-1961 Leave it to Beaver- 1957-1963Leave it to Beaver- 1957-1963 Mr. Ed- 1961-1965Mr. Ed- 1961-1965 Ozzie and Harriet- 1952-1966Ozzie and Harriet- 1952-1966 Topper- 1953-1955Topper- 1953-1955 Grouch Marx- Grouch Marx- You Bet Your LifeYou Bet Your Life- 1950-1961- 1950-1961 Father Knows Best-1954-1963Father Knows Best-1954-1963

Baby Boom - Kid’s ShowsBaby Boom - Kid’s Shows

Captain Kangaroo- 1955-1984Captain Kangaroo- 1955-1984 Ding Dong School- 1952-1956Ding Dong School- 1952-1956 Flintstones- 1960-1966Flintstones- 1960-1966 Flipper- 1964-1967Flipper- 1964-1967 My Friend Flicka- 1956-1958My Friend Flicka- 1956-1958 Howdy Doody- 1947-1960Howdy Doody- 1947-1960 Jetons- 1962-1963Jetons- 1962-1963 Lassie- 1954-1971Lassie- 1954-1971 Mickey Mouse Club- 1955-1957Mickey Mouse Club- 1955-1957 The Monkees- 1966-1968The Monkees- 1966-1968 Bozo the Clown- 1961-Today- Chicago TVBozo the Clown- 1961-Today- Chicago TV Romper Room- 1954-1992Romper Room- 1954-1992 Soupy Sales show- 1960- Pie in the Face.Soupy Sales show- 1960- Pie in the Face.

Television Changes American Television Changes American LifeLife

How did television change American How did television change American life in the 1950’s?life in the 1950’s?

ExplainExplain – How did television change – How did television change American politics?American politics?

SummarizeSummarize – How did advertising – How did advertising change as a result of television?change as a result of television?

EvaluateEvaluate – How did television’s – How did television’s influence begin to concern some influence begin to concern some people?people?

Other Technology in the 1950sOther Technology in the 1950sTransistors

• Developed in 1947, the transistor worked like the vacuum tubes in early computers but with several advantages.

• Were smaller and did not break as often

• Improved all kinds of electronics from radios to TVs to computers

Computers

• UNIVAC, built in 1951, was the first commercial computer.

• Huge computer—weighed 30,000 pounds and took up a room

• Large companies and government agencies bought these computers.

• The integrated circuit or computer chip was developed in 1958.

Salk Vaccine

• Polio outbreaks were common in the early 1900s.

• Polio was contagious, spread quickly, and could be fatal.

• In 1952 more than 57,000 people contacted polio.

• Jonas Salk developed a new polio vaccine.

Other Technological Developments of the Other Technological Developments of the 1950’s1950’s

What other technological developments What other technological developments occurred during the 1950’s?occurred during the 1950’s?

RecallRecall – When were the first computers – When were the first computers built?built?

PredictPredict – How would UNIVAC impact – How would UNIVAC impact the future of American business?the future of American business?

EvaluateEvaluate – Why was the development – Why was the development of a vaccine against polio so important?of a vaccine against polio so important?

American Culture in the 1950sAmerican Culture in the 1950s

Boom TimesBoom TimesUnited States was the United States was the

world’s greatest world’s greatest economic power.economic power.

Baby boom during the Baby boom during the 1950s1950s

Consumerism was Consumerism was rampant, with new rampant, with new houses filled with new houses filled with new appliances with new appliances with new cars in the driveways.cars in the driveways.

Employments was high Employments was high and wages rose.and wages rose.

The CriticsThe CriticsKenneth Galbraith called Kenneth Galbraith called

America the “affluent America the “affluent society” and criticized society” and criticized American for being American for being overly focused on its overly focused on its own wealth.own wealth.

Michael Harrington Michael Harrington complained that the complained that the nation’s poor had been nation’s poor had been forgotten.forgotten.

William H. Whyte noted William H. Whyte noted a loss of individuality a loss of individuality among the growing among the growing class of business class of business workers.workers.

New Communities

New Highways

• Levittown was the most famous of the new suburban communities.

• The U.S. population was beginning a shift in settlement to the so-called Sunbelt—the southern and western parts of the country.

• During the 1950s the United States launched the Interstate Highway System—a network of high-speed roads for interstate travel.

• This reinforced the United State’s commitment to cars and trucks as its main means of ground transportation.

Cultural Changes in the 1950sCultural Changes in the 1950s

LevittownLevittown 16 million GI's were returning 16 million GI's were returning

from either Europe, the Pacific, from either Europe, the Pacific, or from military bases in the or from military bases in the United States.  Many were United States.  Many were planning to get married and planning to get married and raise families.  But these former raise families.  But these former soldiers were running into soldiers were running into trouble in their search to find trouble in their search to find suitable shelter for their new suitable shelter for their new families.  families. 

The war had created a shortage The war had created a shortage of construction materials and the of construction materials and the housing industry had fallen off housing industry had fallen off rapidly. rapidly.

At the end of 1945, the US was At the end of 1945, the US was in dire need of about five million in dire need of about five million houses, as ex-GIs and their houses, as ex-GIs and their families were living with their families were living with their parents or in rented attics, parents or in rented attics, basements, or unheated summer basements, or unheated summer bungalows.  Some even lived in bungalows.  Some even lived in barns, trolley cars, and tool barns, trolley cars, and tool sheds. sheds.

In Levittown all a prospective In Levittown all a prospective buyer needed was a $90 deposit buyer needed was a $90 deposit and payments of $58 per month and payments of $58 per month

Population Growth and Water in the Southwest Population Growth and Water in the Southwest

(02:15)(02:15)

Baby Boom - Vacation Baby Boom - Vacation SpotsSpots

Grand CanyonGrand Canyon Disneyland Disneyland Historical trip to Washington DC, Historical trip to Washington DC,

Gettysburg, and VirginiaGettysburg, and Virginia Knotts Berry FarmKnotts Berry Farm Pacific Ocean Park Pacific Ocean Park Saturday afternoon matineeSaturday afternoon matinee- - 25-30 25-30

cents for the ticket and 5 cents for cents for the ticket and 5 cents for candycandy

Coney IslandConey Island Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park Reptile farms Reptile farms Expo67 in MontrealExpo67 in Montreal Roller DerbyRoller Derby Drive-in theaterDrive-in theater Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota and Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota and

the Black Hillsthe Black Hills Paul Bunyan Amusement Park in Paul Bunyan Amusement Park in

Brainerd, MinnesotaBrainerd, Minnesota

Adventureland.” exotic tropical place”Frontierland was made to relive the pioneer days of the American frontier. Fantasyland was created with the goal to "make dreams come true" from the lyrics of "When You Wish Upon a Star." Tomorrowland was created as a look at the "marvels of the future."

Baby Boom - EntertainmentBaby Boom - Entertainment

Drive-insDrive-ins One of the largest Drive-In Theaters was One of the largest Drive-In Theaters was

the All-Weather Drive-In , Copiague, New the All-Weather Drive-In , Copiague, New York. parking spaces for 2,500 cars. It also York. parking spaces for 2,500 cars. It also had an indoor 1,200 seat viewing area, that had an indoor 1,200 seat viewing area, that was heated and air-conditioned, a was heated and air-conditioned, a playground, a cafeteria, a restaurant with playground, a cafeteria, a restaurant with full dinners. A shuttle train that took full dinners. A shuttle train that took customers from their cars to the various customers from their cars to the various areas, on the 28 acres.areas, on the 28 acres.

Many theaters would open the gates as Many theaters would open the gates as much as 3 hours before the movie would much as 3 hours before the movie would start. This allowed customers to bring the start. This allowed customers to bring the kids early. Many theaters began to serve a kids early. Many theaters began to serve a wide variety of dinners such as Fried wide variety of dinners such as Fried Chicken, Barbecued Sandwiches, Chicken, Barbecued Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Pizza, etc. A few theater Hamburgers, Pizza, etc. A few theater owners even gave the customers the ability owners even gave the customers the ability to order from their car and have a car hop to order from their car and have a car hop deliver. To increase sales the intermission deliver. To increase sales the intermission trailers were invented. Theaters using these trailers were invented. Theaters using these gained increased sales between films.gained increased sales between films.

Cultural Changes in the Cultural Changes in the 1950’s1950’s

How was American culture changing How was American culture changing during the 1950’s?during the 1950’s?

RecallRecall – How did the automobile – How did the automobile industry change in the 1950’s?industry change in the 1950’s?

SummarizeSummarize – What factors led to – What factors led to America’s boom times of the 1950’s?America’s boom times of the 1950’s?

EvaluateEvaluate – Why did John Kenneth – Why did John Kenneth Galbraith criticize the “affluent Galbraith criticize the “affluent society” of postwar America?society” of postwar America?

Cultural Changes in the Cultural Changes in the 1950’s1950’s

IdentifyIdentify – What population trend – What population trend began in the 1950’s?began in the 1950’s?

AnalyzeAnalyze – How were Americans – How were Americans pushed toward “sameness” in the pushed toward “sameness” in the 1950’s?1950’s?

Make InferencesMake Inferences – How do you – How do you think the development of the think the development of the interstate highway system affected interstate highway system affected railroads?railroads?

The Art of RebellionThe Art of RebellionArt in the 1950s stressed rebellion against sameness and conformity.

Film stars built images as rebels who defied social norms.

•James Dean

•Marlon Brando

The 1950s witnessed the emergence of the Beat generation, who took the position of outsiders and rejected social norms.

•Jack Kerouac

Rock and roll represented the rebellion of young people.•Elvis Presley

Baby Boom - Baby Boom - EntertainmentEntertainment

MoviesMovies Abbott and Costello Go to Abbott and Costello Go to

Mars (1953) Mars (1953) The Amazing Colossal Man The Amazing Colossal Man

(1957)(1957) Creature from the Black Creature from the Black

Lagoon- 1st 3D Movie.Lagoon- 1st 3D Movie. The Curse of FrankensteinThe Curse of Frankenstein The BlobThe Blob Invaders from MarsInvaders from Mars Invasion of the Body Invasion of the Body

SnatchersSnatchers I Married a Monster from I Married a Monster from

Outer SpaceOuter Space