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.
