By the Numbers in 1950
World Population
2.5B
UK Life Expectancy
53.7 years
US Life Expectancy
54.9 years
Gold Price (per oz)
$35
Dow Jones Index
235
US National Debt
256.9B
Sovereign Nations
59
How Much Did Things Cost in 1950?
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £1,500 | $7,354 |
| Average salary | £400/year | $3,210/year |
| Pint of milk | 2½d | $0.21 |
| Loaf of bread | 4d | $0.14 |
| Dozen eggs | 2s 6d | $0.60 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 0d | $0.35 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 3s 0d | $0.27 |
| Cinema ticket | 1s 6d | $0.50 |
Technology and Inventions in 1950
Television was still a luxury in most British homes but spreading rapidly in the US, with around 9 million sets in American households. Long-playing vinyl records (33⅓ RPM) were transforming the music industry. Domestic appliances like washing machines and vacuum cleaners were becoming aspirational purchases.
- ● First credit card (Diners Club) introduced
- ● Xerox produces the first commercial photocopier
- ● First successful kidney transplant performed in Chicago
- ● Color television demonstrated by CBS in the United States
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