Automobiles in the 1950's The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear picture of
automobiles in the 1950's and the impact the automobile had on American society.
The 1950's were a time of economic growth for America, where income exceeded
car prices and vision was limited only by one's imagination. President Eisenhower and his
administration were friendly to big business for the first time since Herbert Hoover. For
example, new highways were built by Eisenhower administration in 1956. The automotive
industry in general was determined to make up for lost time. Immediately after the war,
America began switching from coal to oil in a big way. In 1949 consumption was 5.8
million a year and went up to 16.4 million just before the oil crisis of 1973. These
gas-guzzling giants had incredible horsepower. Cars, already too big for basic space needs
and ease of parking, became bigger and lower slung so that the slightest bump could
smash the oil pan, muffler, or gas tank. Gasoline was cheap and plentiful in the 1950's,
even if you were going across the country. The National Defense Highway Act of 1956
developed a 41,000-mile interstate highway system that encouraged travel.
The country's motels recorded $850 million in receipts in 1958. Not only motels, but
also the steel, rubber, petroleum and construction industries all grew rich and dependent
on cars. Add to this garages, automobile dealers, drive-ins, carhops, and tourism generally
to see how the automobile industry had the world's most powerful lobby. Cars brought
status. The Cadillac was the highest status car, and to firm up its image it brought out the
El Dorado Brougham. The least expensive Brougham cost 14,000 dollars complete with
vanity case, perfume bottle, lipsticks, dashboard tissue dispenser, and four gold finished
drinking cups: American baroque. Ads suggested that the mere ownership of a Cadil...