1952 - Boomer Flashback

The Year was 1952.

The United States was leading the world in production of goods and services and new industry was cropping up all the time. The first Holiday Inn opened for travelers and the Today program started on NBC.

The polio epidemic became much worse than it had been and more than 50 thousand people were affected by it. Nelson Mandela was arrested again. Mother Teresa gave aid and comfort to the masses when she opened a home for the destitute and dying in Calcutta.

Smog was killing people in England and Puerto Rico became a commonwealth of the US.

On the up side, inflation in the US was at 2.28 percent.

A new home would cost you about $9050 and if you were renting a place the cost was about 89 dollars a month for 2 bedrooms.

Leaders–The President was President Truman.

Population–The US population was about 164,000,000 and our life expectancy was about 68.5 years.

Crime–The murder rate was just 4 murders per 100,000.

1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Convertible

Money: The Median Household Income was about 3300 dollars for the average laborer.

Cost of Living-Groceries were much lower in price and usually much fresher. Bacon was 44 cents a pound and eggs cost 19 cents for a dozen. A gallon of milk cost about 99 cents and a loaf of bread was approximately 18 cents. A pound of burger was 51 cents.

The Minimum Wage in 1952 was $0.75 per hour, equivalent to $7.11 in 2018.

1952 magazine ad for Jayson men’s sport shirts. Priced from $3.50

Postage--Sending a letter across the country would cost you $.03 in postage.

Travel--A gallon of gas cost about 19 cents.

Transportation--The top selling car in the United States was the Chevy and it cost about 1700 dollars for a brand new model.

Fashion–People were wearing peg top dresses, Julliard Slub Suits and Taffeta. . (http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1952fashions.html)

Top News -In the top news Albert Einstein refused the presidency of Israel and Elizabeth the Second became queen of England on the death of her father, George VI. Live atomic bomb testing took place in Yucca Flats Nevada and Charlie Chaplin was not allowed back in the US due to his “un-American activities.” Smog killed 4000 people in London and Polio claimed 3000 plus lives in the US.