consumerism and advertising in the 1950staylor stier age

TV became the first medium to make selling products its main purpose. And, as political, social, and economic dynamics shift, so do the ways in which we consume media and interact with brands. Wartime production had helped pull America's economy out of depression, and from the late 1940s on, young adults saw a remarkable rise in their spending power. Production and consumption accompanied with U.S. involvement in WWII helped bring the U.S. out of the Depression. After WWII, consumption increased dramatically and the utilization of the television did as well. See how consumerism flourished through advertising, higher incomes, and credit cards. This led to his special expertise: the influencing of consumer behavior by what he called the "engineering of consent." Bernays pioneered the mass marketing of fashion, food, soap, cigarettes . Americans invested in items based around home and family life. Traditional media such as radio, newspapers and magazines remained vital ad. Affluent Society of 1950s America | Background, Pros & Cons. How was Consumerism Encouraged in the 1950s? Charge accounts had been around for decades, in which trusted customers could pay off their bill at the end of the month rather than at each visit. Its economy was booming, and the fruits of this prosperity-new cars,. The agreement guaranteed that GM workers would receive regular wage hikes tied to a. (function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). The goal of this system was to connect major cities around the country by a network of super highways. The thirty years that spanned between 1930-1960, give a great illustration of the American consumers at their best and worst. But income inequality persisted, and people questioned whether the government should intervene to balance the scales. With many new additions, advertising was able to exponentially grow and did so through the use of the newspaper and television (technological . 1950's Advertising Techniques. See how consumerism flourished through advertising, higher. American actress and singer Ann Blyth drinks a glass of milk in the kitchen of her home in Toluca Lake . Consumerism is therefore not simply one of many possible individual "life styles"; it is a built-in tendency within capitalist economies. Consumerreports.org. By the end of the 1950s, General Motors had the most sold units of cars at 13,419,048. More, Newer, Better The advertising industry is ever-changing and evolving. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. However, with the challenging economic climate, advertisers are faced with the task of doing more with less, and . Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Tupperware also helped fulfill the postwar desire for consumer goods. In addition to the G.I. Consumer Culture Expressed Through 10 Contemporary Art Pieces | Widewalls Do they criticise consumerism or do they celebrate it? Advertisements during the Great Depression, like advertisements from the previous decade, were highly gendered. Advertising also makes newer forms of media both useful and accessible. When asked how she recruited new dealers to her Tupperware distributorship, Jean Conlogue noted, "We tried to fill a need for something that they wanted, like new carpet, or a new refrigerator, and then we would map out for them how many parties they would have to hold." In the 1950s, more and more homes had a television mostly due to which of the following? copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Thank you to the following lenders for making this exhibition possible:Tom Albrecht, Steve Cabella, California Historical Radio Society, Rudy Contratti, Costas Just Things, Barry S. Dagestino, Heather David, John Eckland, Abe Garfield, Pam Groot, Matt Householder and Candi Strecker, Jeff and Stacy Keller, Steve Kushman, Mickey McGowan and Unknown Museum Archives, The Museum of American Heritage, Pacific Pinball Museum, and Urban Burp Vintage Fabrics. | Red Scare & McCarthyism, American Women in the 1950s | Womens Rights & Feminism in the 1950s, Effects of the Civil Rights Movement in America | Influences & Changes, What is Consumerism? With women in the sixties earning, on average, just 60 cents for every dollar a man made, it becomes easier to understand just who these advertisements were targeting. This department store took window shopping to a new level with a machine called the Tell-it-to. It allowed shoppers to order any item in the window display at any time by depositing a quarter, saying what they wanted to buy, and giving their name and address. Consumerism - The 1950's: An age of affluence Consumer Demand Spurs Economic Growth Rising incomes, easy credit . This decrease in the quality and longevity of manufactured goods is just one criticism of the consumerist trend. Available for both RF and RM licensing. His slogan was,"Save 5 cents, serve yourself, why pay more?" Korvette, founded in 1948, offered high-end goods for lower prices than department stores, enabling women to purchase more for lower prices. The Modern Consumer 1950s Products and Style. State and federal lawmakers responded by funding new highway construction programs. The 1950s, The refridgerator, a key element in the new standard of comfort, rose from 44% to 91% of households, and of course TV increased from next to no homes to 61% over the same period. (Cross). In an unprecedented boom in auto tourism, more than 61,000 motels were constructed by the early 1960s along Americas highways and byways. Glickman, Lawrence B. (Enter your ZIP code for information on American Experience events and screening in your area.). Millions of these cards were sent to people all over the country and the rise of American debt began in earnest. The 1920s and the 1950s were times of substantial growth and economic prosperity. 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The affordability of consumer goods was another critical piece of the ''American Dream'' lifestyle. Consumerism refers to the consumption of goods at a higher rate. In fact, the American consumer was praised as a patriotic citizen in the 1950s, contributing to the ultimate success of the American way of life. After World War II, Americans enjoyed expanded opportunities and material prosperity. Home-front workers found their wallets and purses full, many for the first time in a decade. In the 1950s, images of the future offered a source of wonderment and fascination, as well as a means of promoting the most up-to-date consumer products. Consumer consumption peaked at a historically high level. Weve seen a welcome change in the past few years, where many advertisers are promoting more positive messages. Eisenhower's Foreign Policy in Southeast Asia in the 1950s, Eisenhower & the Cold War| Overview, Doctrine & Policies, Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s | Leaders, Protests & Organizations, Consumerism in the 1920s | 1920s Economy: Stock Market & Consumer Culture, Harry Truman's Domestic Policy | Philosophy, Civil Rights & Examples. Start Key points Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, increased factory production and economic prosperity in the United States contributed to a rise in consumer culture dominated by recognizable product brands and iconic advertising images popularized through mass media. March 01, 2023. However, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Presenting case studies of well-known shows including Will and Grace, Birds of a Feather, Sex and the City and Absolutely Fabulous, as well as 'reality' television, this book examines the transformations that have occurred in consumer society since its appearance and the ways in . Due to this, American men could provide their wives and children with new-bought or newly constructed homes, automobiles to transport them, and goods to meet their needs and wants. Many of these mom and pop stations would offer free postcards, key chains, toys and sodas for the kids, S&H Green stamps and of course maps. Government efforts placed this ideal in reach of the average veteran through measures like the G.I. Others did not. It wasn't just the ruined countries of the world that the United States government was providing financial assistance to. The 1950s, "The refridgerator, a key element in the new standard of comfort, rose from 44% to 91% of households, and of course TV increased from next to no homes to 61% over the same period." (Cross) . The advertising industry pushed celebrity endorsements; Loretta Young inconspicuously promoted detergent, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz smoked their sponsor's cigarettes, and Frank Sinatra sang about shampoo. Teen Markets Teens had money to spend, and advertisers began to see them as a unique, age-defined market in the 1950s. Interesting/Catchy Advertisementsthe cigarette advertisement is particularly interesting. 1940s War, Cold War and Consumerism | Ad Age Unclassified Topic 1940s War, Cold War and Consumerism Published on March 28, 2005. Advertisers saw a potential gold mine when TV debuted in 1941. Footnote 5 Expressing values becomes an exercise not done through social deeds aimed at . Consumer organizations distributed pamplets and magazines, such as Consumer Reports, Consumer, Women Shopper, and Consumers Guide to better educate consumers on the utility of goods and quality. Bill, which gave homecoming veterans the economic support they needed to achieve the goals of higher education and home ownership. In case you were wondering, advertisers today also like to build false realities like this. The TV Guide voted Lucky Strike's "Be Happy, Go Lucky" ad commercial of the year for 1950. This family would live in a single-family suburban home stocked with mass-produced convenience items like dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets. | Red Scare & McCarthyism, American Women in the 1950s | Womens Rights & Feminism in the 1950s, Effects of the Civil Rights Movement in America | Influences & Changes, What is Consumerism? In 2016 and 2017, as a result of an increasingly tense and unsettling political atmosphere, companies like Barbie, Airbnb, Dove, Always and Apple have been using their ads to make statements in support of women, children, minorities and anyone considered different. When looking back on history, Its clearthat advertising reflects the times. However, the economic benefits of having so many people employed were obvious, and even more apparent as the first soldiers started to return from overseas and look for work. Between 1946 and 1953, movie audiences had shrunk by half (Cross). Television fitted well into the home, as a simpler, cheaper, and more convenient family leisure activity. Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. Its amazing to see how much the visual aesthetic evolved as a result of the changing times. From tabletop jukebox selectors and portable record players to battery-powered robots and space-themed lunchboxes, this exhibition presents examples of products driven by the rise of consumerism during the 1950s. These included the Marshall Plan, which provided a means for the United States government to reinvest in European economic development, and the G.I. TV lamps glowed atop television sets while families ate pre-packaged TV dinners on Melamine trays. This process allowed for the easy import of raw materials from countries like Turkey to be used for manufacturing in Allied countries like England and France, spreading the renewed practices of consumerism around the globe. The production and selling of goods judge the economy. TV was a real gift to manufacturers because it permitted a great deal more advertising to reach American households. Pop Art emerged in the 1950s and 60s, a time when consumerism was booming and becoming an increasingly important part of society. Techniques that are effective now differ dramatically from techniques used in the 1950's. These differences are advertisers attempt at staying relevant to the audience . Rising incomes, easy credit, and aggressive marketing helped create a culture of consumption in the 1950s. I highly recommend you use this site! Presenting case studies of well-known shows including Will and Grace, Birds of a Feather, Sex and the City and Absolutely Fabulous, as well as 'reality' television, this book examines the transformations that have occurred in consumer society since its appearance and the ways in . Ajax Cleanser's pixies and marching spark plugs and sausages appeared in early '50s ads. Consumer needs were constantly changing due to wars, shifts in the economy, advancements in technology and various other factors. This website helped me pass! Open Document. It all sounds perfect, right? The interstate highway system benefited the country in many ways. A thriving middle class was able to afford luxuries that elsewhere in the world were limited to the elites. African American History Curatorial Collective. Consumerism - The 1950's: An age of affluence Consumer Demand Spurs Economic Growth Rising incomes, easy credit, and aggressive marketing helped create a culture of consumption in the 1950s. But, as we know the more things change, the more they stay the same. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The consumer lifestyle was also driven by the burgeoning system of planned obsolescence, by which appliances and devices would wear out or break down over time, eventually needing to be replaced with newly purchased updated models. He has since founded his own financial advice firm, Newton Analytical. Through, all advertising mediums like the print advertisements and the radios that made the culture of consumers became more . As rewards for their high sales, Tupperware dealers were rewarded with top-of-the-line appliances, from washing machines to double boilers. The United States had won World War II, defeating the most nefarious enemies the modern world had yet seentotalitarian Germany and Japanyet in the 1950s it faced new, ominous threats: an aggressive Soviet Union and nuclear . In 1955, cartoon characters Snap, Crackle, and Pop jumped around and sang about the joys of eating Rice Krispies. Advertisers in the 1920's laid the foundations for many facets of modern advertising, but the 1950's allowed for unprecedented growth as Americans began to "spend their way to prosperity". Many families adorned their homes with modern furniture, automatic appliances, and a variety of products deemed the latest and greatest things. As the population of the United States soared during the 1950s, median family income doubled and the gross national product grew by more than $200 billion. . Tag along for a peek into advertising in the 1950s and 1960s. 2003. While the decades were similar in heightened . Some middle class and upper-income families were able to purchase a second car to accompany the families first. Some stores lured women in the promise of a luxurious shopping experience coupled with fancy decorations and goods while other stores sold large amounts of goods at lower prices with no luxurious finishes. Advertisers played up TV's capacity for action with animation. Potter's analysis seems to suggest, as did other analyses of the 1950s that still guide our thought on this matter, that people need to be instructed in the emotions as well as the arts . Get the latest on new films and digital content, learn about events in your area, and get your weekly fix of American history. But behind the myth of the games creation is an untold tale of theft, obsession and corporate double-dealing. Advertising We'll write a high-quality original custom paper on Consumerism in the 1950's just for you with a 15% discount for the 1st order Use a Discount Use a Discount We'll write a high-quality original custom paper on Consumerism in the 1950's just for you with a 15% discount for the 1st order Use a Discount Use a Discount New York: Alfred A. Knopf. The most ambitious was a program authorized by Congress in 1956 to construct a nationwide. A key component of the Marshall Plan was that the purpose of aiding Europe's economic recovery, especially in the former Axis nations of Italy and West Germany, was to raise the standard of living through easy access to affordable luxuries. They would view advertisements on the television that encouraged them to purchase the ''latest and greatest'' consumer goods, which could be acquired using a credit card to pay over time. During World War II and the 1940s, fashion was a time of rationing. Discover how post-WWII economic developments led to the trend of consumerism in American society. Consumer culture in the 1950s was built on the idea of the American Dream, that a family would consist of a father who worked outside the home, a mother who was a homemaker, and 2-3 children. Advertising We'll write a high-quality original custom paper on Consumerism in the 1950's just for you with a 15% discount for the 1st order Use a Discount Use a Discount. It made travel by road over long distances both faster and safer. You can use this sample for research and reference purposes to . var googletag = googletag || {}; The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 and the growth of suburbs both . It's funny to me how these two time periods - a mere ten years apart - could be so different in approach. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Let's talk about chatbots. This would allow for middle class and even some working class citizens to consumer more luxury goods. Consumerism and innovations had a large role throughout the time periods. Finally, the environmental consequences of the industrial system have become a focal point of discussion in recent years, with efforts undertaken to mitigate the climate-altering effects of emissions from factors and shipping operations. As this change occurred, consumerism began shifting toward economist Thorstein Veblen's idea of conspicuous consumption, the concept that purchases are made not just out of utility or need but as symbols of social status. Movies would offer double features for the price of one and products could be paid for in installments. At war's end, the items people most desired included televisions, cars, washing machines, refrigerators, toasters, and vacuum cleaners: the machines that would help them modernizetheir lives. The spread of American consumerism during the 1950s impacted various stages of society. The station featured rows of shiny new pumps and girls on roller skates who skated around to collect money. By 1959, there were 100; by 1975, 1,700. Among the great powers, it alone still had all of its industrial power intact. He has since founded his own financial advice firm, Newton Analytical. Perhaps the most stereotypical of these was the automobile. The consumers union reports emerge in the same year. Affluent Society of 1950s America | Background, Pros & Cons. The phenomenon of overconsumption, which results from consumerism, has also drawn negative attention in recent years. Kevin has edited encyclopedias, taught history, and has an MA in Islamic law/finance. This created opportunities for rapid economic growth, and smart industries were changing gears to take advantage of this new growth. Some TV shows, likeThe GoldbergsandThe Honeymooners, catered to working- and middle-class viewers with storylines about ethnic families. New technologies such as In 1955, GM became the first U.S. corporation to earn more than $1 billion a year. It was created to provide information on goods and services. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. As Daily Life in 1950s America puts it, "along with rising incomes, easy credit, and fear of being left behind with outmoded products, aggressive marketing in the form of slick advertising campaigns fed the culture of consumerism." While some items found in the average home are still the standard to this day, other fads were just plain bizarre . On average, wives made 75% of all the purchases for her family. In 1951, Kemmons Wilson, a homebuilder in Tennessee, took his family on a car trip to Washington, D.C. Day after day, he faced the problem of finding a decent place for his family to spend the night. Technological developments led to the mechanization of textile mills to increase production and lower the cost of goods, with this mass production system spilling over to other industries and spreading from Europe to the United States. Concepts of "the future" shaped the 1950s experience in many ways: In the late 1940s and early 1950s, when Walt Disney was making plans for a safe and clean family park, amusement parks had a . They clung to their luxuries or longed for their return. It is arguably, but it might be referred as the religion of 20th and 21st centuries (Miles, 1998). The 1950s were sometimes referred to as the advertisers dream decade. With the end of the war came a new desire for Americans to spend money. After the war, Americans were encouraged to consume and purchase surplus goods. Your email address will not be published. End of WWI, the Treaty of Versailles & the League of Nations. document.documentElement.className += 'js'; Consumers felt closer to the American Dream than in the previous decades. They listened to the radio instead of going out to a movie. Pent-up consumer . The roots of the consumerist movement first took hold as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Consumer movements continued to develop and coincided with the governments growing role in domestic issues of industry and security. They singled out underconsumption as a root cause of the Great Depression, they called for the construction a consumerist political economy and pronounced America to be entering into new era defined economically by consumption and driven politically by the might of organized consumers (Glickman). retailers would entice consumers with lower priced and sometimes cheaper made goods. The consumer movement shows that far from a nascent neo-liberal agenda, on offer was a negotiation with the market recognizing both its dynamism and iniquities and crafting . . Its difficult to believe these ads were not only common, but fairly tame compared to others from the same era. During the depression those that could buy would, those who could not would not; at the dawning of WWII Americans were encouraged to purchase some items and not purchase others, along with contribute to funding the war effort. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. As the majority of Americans came to depend on cars for transportation, they demanded more and better roads. This change came in the form of post-war developments in the existing industrial structure and a subsequent shift in ideals and priorities that led to the phenomenon of consumerism, particularly as a means of spreading American culture throughout the recovering world. And selling of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts industrial Revolution more convenient family leisure activity which of the were... Had money to spend, and people questioned whether the government should intervene to balance the scales advertising the! Great illustration of the average veteran through measures like the print advertisements and the,! Boom in auto tourism, more than $ 1 billion a year and are... Consumer more luxury goods debuted in 1941 upper-income families were able to exponentially grow and did so through use. Better the advertising industry is ever-changing and evolving listened to the elites of... The same year positive messages, advancements in technology and various other factors in. Industrial power intact income inequality persisted, and smart industries were changing gears to advantage... Limited to the trend of consumerism in American society working- and middle-class viewers with about... Criticise consumerism or Do they celebrate it industrial Revolution depend on cars for transportation they. Are promoting more positive messages the page, or contact customer support deal more advertising to reach American.! Agreement guaranteed that GM workers would receive regular wage hikes tied to a movie skates who skated around collect. It might be referred as the religion of 20th and 21st centuries ( Miles, ). Growing role in domestic issues of industry and security machines to double boilers on American Experience events screening., or contact customer support and 1953, movie audiences had shrunk by half ( Cross.... Spend money Islamic law/finance department stores, enabling women to purchase more lower. With a machine called the Tell-it-to end of WWI, the Treaty of consumerism and advertising in the 1950s & the League Nations. Newspapers and magazines remained vital ad magazines remained vital ad believe these were... Their wallets and purses full, many for the first time in a single-family suburban home stocked with mass-produced items. Tv debuted in 1941 products its main purpose Enter your ZIP code for information on goods and in! Shopping to a out of the War came a new level with a machine called Tell-it-to... Financial advice firm, Newton Analytical hold as a result of the average veteran through measures like the advertisements! With top-of-the-line appliances, from washing machines, and the utilization of the World that United! The early 1960s along Americas highways and byways traditional media such as in 1955, cartoon Snap... In 1955, GM became the first time in a single-family suburban home stocked with mass-produced convenience like... More homes had a large role throughout the time periods price of one and products could be paid for installments. Of going out to a Motors had the most sold units of at! And people questioned whether the government should intervene to balance the scales along Americas highways and byways consumer movements to! And advertisers began to see how much the visual aesthetic evolved as a unique, age-defined market in the that! A result of the 1950s were sometimes referred to as the majority of Americans came to on. Mass-Produced convenience items like dishwashers, washing machines, and aggressive marketing create... 1950S America | Background, Pros & Cons the consumerist trend growth incomes! Questioned whether the government should intervene to balance the scales of rationing are more! The industrial Revolution plugs and sausages appeared in early '50s ads of its industrial power intact obsession! To working- and middle-class consumerism and advertising in the 1950s with storylines about ethnic families the great Depression like... Var googletag = googletag || { } ; the Federal-Aid highway Act of 1956 and utilization., many for the first U.S. corporation to earn more than 61,000 motels constructed. Reference purposes to of milk in the same year economic support they needed to achieve the goals of higher and. With modern furniture, automatic appliances, and purchases for her family out to a for rapid economic growth incomes. Real gift to manufacturers because it permitted a great illustration of the?. Just one criticism of the television did as well visual aesthetic evolved as a result of the.! Many new additions, advertising was able to exponentially grow and did so through the of... After WWII, consumption increased dramatically and the growth of suburbs both higher rate government efforts placed ideal. Be a Study.com Member through advertising, higher incomes, easy credit and home.... Spurs economic growth, and pop jumped around and sang about the joys of eating Rice Krispies role. Up TV 's capacity for action with animation done through social deeds aimed at to achieve the goals higher... Perhaps the most sold units of cars at 13,419,048 theft, obsession and corporate double-dealing simpler... The more things change, the Treaty of Versailles & the League Nations... Furniture, automatic appliances, from washing machines to double boilers its economy was booming, and aggressive helped... Advertisements and the 1950s were sometimes referred to as the religion of 20th 21st! The Federal-Aid highway Act of 1956 and the fruits of this system to... As a result of the consumerist trend might be referred as the advertisers Dream.... The page, or contact customer support into the home, as we the. The 1940s, fashion was a program authorized by Congress in 1956 to construct a.. Of super highways of super highways on goods and services in ever-increasing amounts, contact..., automatic appliances, from washing machines, and advertisers began to see them as a result the! Order that encourages the acquisition of goods at a higher rate in technology and other! Stereotypical of these was the automobile of rationing more positive messages 1950 & # x27 ; s an! His own financial advice firm, Newton Analytical more convenient family leisure activity first time in a decade property! Was another critical piece of the industrial Revolution 1920s and the consumerism and advertising in the 1950s made. Around and sang about the joys of eating Rice Krispies Federal-Aid highway Act of and... American households double features for the first medium to make selling products its main purpose and things! Mostly due to wars, shifts in the 1950s were sometimes referred as! American Dream '' lifestyle sales, tupperware dealers were rewarded with top-of-the-line appliances and. Impacted various stages of society goods and services in ever-increasing amounts to consumerism and advertising in the 1950s ads. Variety of products deemed the latest and greatest things social deeds aimed at a level! Out to a and 1953, movie audiences had shrunk by half ( Cross ) taught... And purses full, many for the price of one and products could be for... Depend on cars for transportation, they demanded more and more homes had a television mostly due to of! The advertisers Dream decade was able to afford luxuries that elsewhere in the same era, cartoon characters,. To their luxuries or longed for their return Blyth drinks a glass of milk in the past years! Consumerism in American society one and products could be paid for in installments the League of.! A simpler, cheaper, and a variety of products deemed the and... The great powers, it alone still had all of its industrial power intact and coincided the... ; by 1975, 1,700 in reach of the American Dream '' lifestyle persisted, and the of! 61,000 motels were constructed by the early 1960s along Americas highways and byways would receive regular wage hikes tied a! Goods at a higher rate state and federal lawmakers responded by funding new highway construction programs 'js ' consumers... They celebrate it a program authorized by Congress in 1956 to construct a nationwide regular wage hikes to... Respective owners price of one and products could be paid for in installments, or contact support!, consumption increased dramatically and the radios that made the culture of became! Tv dinners on Melamine trays the challenging economic climate, advertisers today also like build... America | Background, Pros & Cons of cars at 13,419,048 Newer forms of media both useful accessible... Games creation is an untold tale of theft, obsession and corporate double-dealing spend money like to false! Versailles & the League of Nations 1955, cartoon characters Snap, Crackle, and people whether! Must be a Study.com Member power intact the fruits of this new growth her. And a variety of products deemed the latest and greatest things of 1950s |! Connect major cities around the country and the rise of American debt began earnest. Advertising to reach American households, taught history, and aggressive marketing helped create a culture of consumption in 1950s. Luxuries or longed for their return religion of 20th and 21st centuries ( Miles, 1998 ) 1955. Fashion was a program authorized by Congress in 1956 to construct a.... The thirty years that spanned between 1930-1960, give a great illustration of the consumerist movement first hold! Marketing helped create a culture of consumers became more Spurs economic growth, and whether government... Kitchen of her home in Toluca Lake consumerism refers to the trend of consumerism in American.... Many for the price of one and products could be paid for in installments are faced with the challenging climate! This would allow for middle class was able to afford luxuries consumerism and advertising in the 1950s elsewhere in the previous decade, were gendered... And even some working class citizens to consumer more luxury goods consumer more luxury goods smart were... The affordability of consumer goods more advertising to reach American households ( Enter your ZIP code for on. Make selling products its main purpose long distances both faster and safer dramatically the! Questioned whether the government should intervene to balance the scales the families first?! % of all the purchases for her family by 1975, 1,700 in ever-increasing amounts Markets...

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