How It All Started
World Events Of 1958
We Didn't Start The FireMany thanks to Chuck Pichla, KP Class of 55, for sending us this link to a mind-boggling social, political, and historical look back at our era. You might have to watch it more than once to catch all the photos that'll flash before your eyes.
Also, check out this web site! oldfortyfives.com, also sent to us by Chuck Pichla.
In 1954: Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. Richard M. Nixon was Vice President . The New York Giants took the World Series in four games over the Cleveland Indians. On the television we were watching: The George Gobel Show, Dragnet, The Life of Riley, and What's My Line. A gallon of milk cost a whopping 92 cents, and a dozen eggs 76 cents. The popular songs of the day were: Rosemary Clooney singing "I Need You Now" and Joan Weber's "Let Me Go Lover" And, topping the music charts that year was "Mister Sandman" sung by the Cordettes! The Oscar went to "On The Waterfront" for Best Movie, and Marlon Brando got the Oscar for his performance in the same movie. Best Actress went to Grace Kelly for "The Country Girl" Ahhhh! Sweet memories!
In 1958: Dwight D. Eisenhower was still President. Richard M. Nixon was still Vice President. In Baghdad, King Faisal II of Iraq was killed by the Iraqi Army in a coup. Great Britain reacted by mobilizing 6,000 troops. At the same time President Eisenhower announced that he'd send 5,000 troops to Lebanon to monitor the situation in the Middle East. (Hmmm!)
New York defeated Milwaukee by 4 to 3 in the seventh game of the World Series, and basketball star Wilt Chamberlain signed with the Harlem Globetrotters. The Colts defeated the Giants 23 to 17 to win the NFL title.
On TV we were watching: The Millionaire, Maverick, The Red Skelton Show, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Father Knows Best, The Price is Right, Name That Tune, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Jack Benny Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, This Is Your Life, and more. And, American Bandstand first aired on ABC August 5, 1957 with Dick Clark as the host.
A gallon of milk cost $1.01. A loaf of bread just 19 cents. A gallon of gasoline was a mere 24 cents. A new auto's average cost was $2,200, while a new home's average cost was just $30,000.
Back in 1958 the popular songs were: At The Hop by Danny and the Juniors, Catch A Falling Star sung by Perry Como. Topping the charts were: Sugartime by the McGuire Sisters, Tequila by the Champs, and Volare by Domenico Modugno.
The Hula Hoop was to become the most popular American toy ever made. The Hula Hoop was introduced by Wham-O Manufacturing in 1958. In the first six months, Americans purchased 20 million Hula Hoops.
Gigi got the Oscar that year for Best Movie. Best Actor was David Niven in Separate Tables, and the beautiful Susan Hayward received the Oscar for Best Actress in I Want to Live.