Introduction
When one would think of the 1950's, It seems to be a decade of unprecedented economic and population growth in the United States. This consisted of the years following the baby boom that occurred during WWII ("Baby Boom"), the rise of television, and the major transitions that took place in the science and technology of the 1950 era. For entertainment, 3D movies were introduced, hula hoops became a hit, and the well known "Poodle Designs" began becoming popular among the youth ("Culture of the 1950's"). Though in seemingly good times, the Korean war also changed the lifestyles of many Americans.
Television Guide, showing the
lightheartedness of the era.
September 1950. ("1950s Style Dresses").
September 1950. ("1950s Style Dresses").
Culture in the 1950's
Within the 1950's era it was a time for transition in technology and science. Television was beginning to become more of a popular media of entertainment and therefore lead to the creation of commercials to advertise new products such as the hula hoop or Mr. Potato head ("Culture of the 1950's"). This was also the time when 3D movies first came about and the style of the well-known "poodle skirts."
Argus 300 Projector Manual, provided by
Bill Hart on behalf of Bartholomew Hart
The peanuts comic was created during this era as well. Before the 1950's music tended to stay towards classical, but the new rock and roll movement lead to much youth rebellion and a different outlook on relationships compared to the older generations. Record players were still in heavy use during this time, and even record players were created in order to rotate through but generally reached the last record and then played that endlessly. During this era there was also the creation of the hydrogen bomb where the scare from other countries lead to more bomb shelters being made for residential houses.
The peanuts comic was created during this era as well. Before the 1950's music tended to stay towards classical, but the new rock and roll movement lead to much youth rebellion and a different outlook on relationships compared to the older generations. Record players were still in heavy use during this time, and even record players were created in order to rotate through but generally reached the last record and then played that endlessly. During this era there was also the creation of the hydrogen bomb where the scare from other countries lead to more bomb shelters being made for residential houses.
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| Slide show Of Documents from Bartholomew Hart during his Service in the Navy. Video Created by Smilebox |
Ship Life
Bartholomew Hart grew up with 12 children in his family and ended up joining the navy for job purposes. My father stated that he, "Often more times then not had to go out and make sure that he could help support the family" (Hart, Personal). He graduated from the United States Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland as a pipe fitter and was put aboard the USS Winston.
"He was supposed to take any ship that had received damage and repair it along with anything else that had to be fixed on the ship" (Hart, Personal). My grandfather's book included shelving instructions and measurements within it for storage shelves that he built while he was on the ship. Though he never personally saw any fighting, he still was able to talk to troops.
Sailor on the USS Winston washing the deck
Original photography by Bartholomew Hart
"The USS Winston turned into a delivery ship that ended up going back and forth from Korea and 0name of place- bringing troops and supplies for the people in the war. They were responsible in making sure everything went smoothly for aiding the soldiers on land." (Hart, Personal).
When I was looking through his Brief case that held all the important documents from my grandfather;s time in the Navy, I managed to find a page in his book with many numbers written on it (See video above) My father chuckled when I showed it to him before he explained,
"Your grandfather never really drank any alcohol like others did in that time. During stops, they would all go out and drink while they were stopped for supplies in places such as Japan. Your Grandfather pretty much took pictures while he was on shore and he just had people pay him so that he could ge them back to the ship on time before they got into trouble" (Hart, Personal).
He also received a book about the Korean culture which was easily written to keep the sailor's focus so they could at least learn something about the Korean culture (pictures in Video above) Within this book it explained everything in simple terms for the people in the navy about the ways of the Korean people that way they were able to respect the people they encounteered while on land even though they were not allowed to buy certain items unless it was allowed and confirmed by the U.S first. My father then told me story about how his father knew some people who managed to buy restricted items such as jade earrings for their wives or girlfriends back home.
"I remember him telling me how some people however didn't follow the regulation rules for purchasing items in a foreign country, and still bought the restricted items such as china or small jade pendent since they could find a way to smuggle it in past the checkers back in the U.S" (Hart, Personal).
Therefore I found it very interesting that they were able to get away with something like that due to loop holes in security checks. and the amount of leniency back then compared to today in the military. According to my father, my grandfather found it as a large trip where he didn't have to pay a single dime to see the world and still have fun in the process even though it was during a war.
"He was supposed to take any ship that had received damage and repair it along with anything else that had to be fixed on the ship" (Hart, Personal). My grandfather's book included shelving instructions and measurements within it for storage shelves that he built while he was on the ship. Though he never personally saw any fighting, he still was able to talk to troops.
Sailor on the USS Winston washing the deck
Original photography by Bartholomew Hart
"The USS Winston turned into a delivery ship that ended up going back and forth from Korea and 0name of place- bringing troops and supplies for the people in the war. They were responsible in making sure everything went smoothly for aiding the soldiers on land." (Hart, Personal).
When I was looking through his Brief case that held all the important documents from my grandfather;s time in the Navy, I managed to find a page in his book with many numbers written on it (See video above) My father chuckled when I showed it to him before he explained,
"Your grandfather never really drank any alcohol like others did in that time. During stops, they would all go out and drink while they were stopped for supplies in places such as Japan. Your Grandfather pretty much took pictures while he was on shore and he just had people pay him so that he could ge them back to the ship on time before they got into trouble" (Hart, Personal).
He also received a book about the Korean culture which was easily written to keep the sailor's focus so they could at least learn something about the Korean culture (pictures in Video above) Within this book it explained everything in simple terms for the people in the navy about the ways of the Korean people that way they were able to respect the people they encounteered while on land even though they were not allowed to buy certain items unless it was allowed and confirmed by the U.S first. My father then told me story about how his father knew some people who managed to buy restricted items such as jade earrings for their wives or girlfriends back home.
"I remember him telling me how some people however didn't follow the regulation rules for purchasing items in a foreign country, and still bought the restricted items such as china or small jade pendent since they could find a way to smuggle it in past the checkers back in the U.S" (Hart, Personal).
Therefore I found it very interesting that they were able to get away with something like that due to loop holes in security checks. and the amount of leniency back then compared to today in the military. According to my father, my grandfather found it as a large trip where he didn't have to pay a single dime to see the world and still have fun in the process even though it was during a war.
Works Cited
"1950s Style Dresses, 1950 Style Dress." Fotos.fr. Web. 10 May 2011. .
"1950s Style Dresses, 1950 Style Dress." Fotos.fr. Web. 10 May 2011. .
"Culture of the 1950's and Fun Facts from the 50's - 1950s Birthday Candy Party Ideas | Choose Your Year." Fabulous Retro Candy Gift Ideas | 50th Birthday Party Gift Ideas. Web. 10 May 2011.
Hart, Bill. Personal interview. 14 Apr. 2011.
O’Brien, Patricia. “Re: Photographs.” Message to the author. 13 Apr. 2011. E-mail.
Thomas, Pauline W. "1950s Timeline Chart - 1950-1960." Fashion History Costume Trends and Eras, Trends Victorians - Haute Couture. Web. 10 May 2011.
"The Baby Boom." 1950's Lifestyles and Social Trends. Gale Cengage, 1994. eNotes.com. 2006. 10 May, 2011 <http://www.enotes.com/1950-lifestyles-social-trends-american-decades/
baby-boom>
Excellent title (except "Lifestyles" is ONE word), and HIGHLY credible hyperlink!
ReplyDeleteEmbedded photo is also good, but need to make it clear if this is something you got from a website or from your interview source.
Your first 2 embedded images have excellent captions; need the same for the last 2 (including the video).
ReplyDeletePut Works Cited in alphabetical order: NUMBERS come first, so the "1950s Style Dresses" would be your first entry. And you should ignore words like a, an, and the, so "The Baby Boom" should be treated as beginning with "Baby."
Include URLs for all web sources in the Works Cited list.