1962

What Was Happening in 1962

The world held its breath during thirteen days in October as nuclear war seemed terrifyingly possible.

Born in

By the Numbers in 1962

World Population

UK Life Expectancy

55.1 years

US Life Expectancy

55.6 years

Gold Price (per oz)

$35.35

Dow Jones Index

660

US National Debt

Sovereign Nations

97

How Much Did Things Cost in 1962?

ItemUKUS
Average house price£2,950$12,800
Average salary£800$5,650
Pint of milk5d$0.13
Loaf of bread6d$0.21
Dozen eggs3s 9d$0.55
Pint of beer1s 3d$0.30
Gallon of petrol/gas4s 8d$0.31
Cinema ticket3s 0d$0.70

Technology and Inventions in 1962

The space race accelerated with manned orbital flights. Telstar made live transatlantic TV possible, the first computer video game appeared, and transistor technology was steadily shrinking electronic devices.

  • John Glenn orbited Earth aboard Friendship 7
  • Telstar 1 satellite enabled first live transatlantic TV broadcast
  • The first computerised video game Spacewar! was created at MIT
  • The Audio cassette compact tape was invented by Philips

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