1958 bought Americans recession with a vengeance and large increases in unemployment over 7.0% ( 5.2 million), inflation dipped below 2% so those in work earning the average wages of $3,851 per year were quite well off , cars continued to get bigger and heavier with larger engines, but imports continued to grow now with the added Datsun and Toyotas from Japan. Alaska became the 49th State and Americas first satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral. This is also the year that the Microchip first developed in US by Intel which is the the very early stages of PC's we all now use at work and at home. This was also the year of the Munich air disaster in which 7 Manchester United Players died.

Cost of Living 1958

How Much things cost in 1958
Yearly Inflation Rate USA 2.73%
Average Cost of new house $12,750.00
Average Monthly Rent $92.00
Average Yearly Wages $4.600.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 25 cents

What Events Happened in 1958

• NASA North American Space Agency is formed
• 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship.
• Munich Air Disaster - 21 dead, including 7 Manchester United Players
• Toyota and Datsun Cars go on sale in The US
• Nikita Khrushchev becomes Premier of the Soviet Union
• Nelson Rockefeller Elected Governor of New York
• US Unemployment reaches 5.2 million
• US passenger jet flights start with a National Airlines Boeing 707
• The first Trans Atlantic passenger jetliner service begins with flights between London and New York on the new Comet Jet
• The Great Chinese Famine begins in 1958 and ending in 1961 causing the death of nearly 30 million through a combination of natural disasters and poor planning.
• Elvis Presley is inducted into the Army.
• Brazil wins the 1958 World Cup in Sweden

Technology 1958

• The Microchip first developed in US by Intel
• London Gatwick Airport opens after two years of extensive reconstruction
• US Nuclear Submarine " Nautilus " passes under Ice Cap at North Pole

Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )
Microchip USA by Jack Kilby
Computer Modem USA
Remote Control USA Zenith Corporation

Popular Culture 1958

• The Wham-O company introduces the Hula Hoop; over 100 million are sold.

Popular Films

• The Bridge on the River Kwai
• South Pacific
• Gigi
• King Creole
• Vertigo

Popular Singers

• Elvis Presley
• Billie Holiday
• Ricky Nelson
• Frank Sinatra
• The Everly Brothers
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Jerry Lee Lewis

Popular TV Programs

• Candid Camera
• The Ed Sullivan Show
• Come Dancing
• The Jack Benny Show
• Panorama
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents