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Pittsburgh 55+ Magazine
Jul 23 min read

Step Back Into….1954


Burger King was founded

A major star marries a major leaguer

By Paula Green




 

Following more wives moving back into the workforce, the economy grew. A new trend called DIY—Do It Yourself—projects also started, as families wanted to improve their homes and do their own maintenance. The words "under God" are added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance. Armistice Day is renamed Veterans Day to honor vets from the Civil War, WWI, WWI, and the Korean conflict. Ellis Island in New York closes as a point of immigration.


Average:  The average income was $4,137. The cost of a new home is $22,000. A Ford car sold for $1,548-$2,415. Gasoline was 21 cents a gallon. A loaf of bread was 17 cents. A gallon of milk was 23 cents, and coffee was 93 cents a pound. Eggs sold for 61 cents a dozen. American cheese was 55 cents a pound. A first-class stamp was 3 cents.


Firsts: On February 23, children receive Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Swanson introduces TV dinners. The first synthetic diamonds were invented. Raytheon produced the first commercial microwave oven. Marshmallow Peeps began being produced in mass production; prior to 1954, they were handmade.


U.S. Events: Marilyn Monroe marries Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco City Hall on January 14. The Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education, stating that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. Senator Joseph McCarthy is censured, ending his hunt for Communists.


World News: On October 11, Hurricane Hazel crosses over Haiti, killing 1,000 people. April 17, Gamal Abdal Nasser becomes the premier of Egypt. The Geneva Conference was held from April 26 to July 20 in Geneva, Switzerland. It was intended to settle outstanding issues resulting from the Korean War.


Entertainment: On September 3, the last episode of The Lone Ranger is aired on radio, after 2,956 episodes over 21 years. The 26th Annual Academy Awards were held on March 25; From Here to Eternity won Best Picture. Famous films: The Caine Mutiny, Godzilla, The High and Mighty, On the Waterfront, Rear Window, Sabrina, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, A Star is Born, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and White Christmas.


Television: On October 27, Disneyland (later called The Wonderful of Disney) debuted on TV. Popular shows: American Bandstand, Candid Camera, Cisco Kid, The Colgate Comedy Hour, Dragnet, Death Valley Days, The Ed Sullivan Show, Father Knows Best, General Motors Theatre, Howdy Doody, I Love Lucy, Our Miss Brooks, Ozzie & Harriet, Superman, and What’s My Line.


Songs: Bill Haley and the Comets begin writing hit songs and they venture into rock 'n' roll. Elvis Presley cut his first commercial record That’s All Right. Popular Songs Hey There, Hold My Hand, I Need You Now, Little Things Mean a Lot, Mambo Italiano, Mr. Sandman, Oh My Papa, Rock Around the Clock, Secret Love, Sh-Boom, Shake Rattle and Roll, Stranger in Paradise, Three Coins in a Fountain, and Wanted.

 

Publishing: The first issue of Sports Illustrated magazine is published in the United States. Popular books - Betty Crocker's Good and Easy Cookbook, Live and Let Die, Lord of the Flies, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Magicians.


Sports: MLB – The World Series is broadcast in color for the first time. The New York Giants defeat the Cleveland Indians. NHL Champs—The Detroit Red Wings are victorious over the Montreal Canadiens. NBA—The Minneapolis Lakers beat the Syracuse Nationals. NFL Championship—The Cleveland Browns defeat the Detroit Lions 56-10.

 

Politics:  President: Dwight D. Eisenhower: Vice President: Richard M. Nixon.

 

Quotes:                                                                                                                                                       

 

“You don’t understand! I coulda have class. I could been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.”                            ~Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando), On the Waterfront

 

"There is hope for the future. And when the world is ready for a new and better life, all this will someday come to pass, in God's good time."          ~Captain Nemo, (James Mason) 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas

 

“Short cuts make long delays”                   ~J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

 

 

 

 

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