1958 FUN FACTS

1958 brought a recession to America, along with a large 5.2 million (7.0%) increase in unemployment, but inflation dipped below 2%. Those with a job were earning average wages of $3,851 per year and were considered to be "well off". Cars continued to get bigger and heavier with larger engines, while imports from Japan increased. Alaska became the 49th state and America's first satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral.

 

Cost of Living 1958

US GDP (1998 dollars): $467.3 billion
Federal spending: $82.41 billion
Federal debt: $279.7 billion
Consumer Price Index: 28.9
Unemployment: 4.3%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.03 ($0.04 as of 8/1/58) 
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
  • World Series - NY Yankees defeated Milwaukee Braves (4-3)
  • NBA Championship -St. Louis Hawks defeated Boston (4-2)
  • Kentucky Derby Champion - Tim Tam
  • NCAA Basketball Championship - Kentucky defeated Seattle (84-72)
  • NCAA Football Champions - LSU (AP, UPI) (11-0-0) & Iowa (FW) (8-1-1)
  • Best Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
  • Best Actor: Alec Guinness, The Bridge on the River Kwai
  • Best Supporting Actor: Red Buttons, Sayonara
  • Best Actress:Joanne Woodward, The Three Faces of Eve
  • Best Supporting Actress: Miyoshi Umeki, Sayonara
  • Best Director: David Lean, The Bridge on the River Kwai

News Review of 1958

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

Plymouth 1958 TV Commercial

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 TV Programs

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

Popular Singers

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

The Top 40 Songs of 1958

1.
At The HopDanny & Juniors
2.
It's All In The GameTommy Edwards
3.
The Purple People EaterSheb Wooley
4.
Don'tElvis Presley
5.
TequilaChamps
6.
All I Have To Do Is DreamEverly Brothers
7.
Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)Domenico Modungo
8.
SugartimeMcGuire Sisters
9.
He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands)Laurie London
10.
The Chipmunk SongDavid Seville & Chipmunks
11.
To Know Him, Is To Love HimTeddy Bears
12.
Witch DoctorDavid Seville
13.
It's Only Make BelieveConway Twitty
14.
Hard Headed WomanElvis Presley
15
Poor Little FoolRicky Nelson
16.
Get A JobSilhouettes
17.
Catch A Falling StarPerry Como
18.
Tom DooleyKingston Trio
19.
PatriciaPerez Prado
20.
Little StarElegants
21.
Bird DogEverly Brothers
22.
Twilight TimePlatters
23.
Bye Bye LoveEverly Brothers
24.
Yakety YakCoasters
25.
26 Miles (Santa Catalina)Four Preps
26.
Stood UpRicky Nelson
27.
Sweet Little SixteenChuck Berry
28.
Rock'n RobinBobby Day
29.
LollipopChordettes
30.
ProblemsEverly Brothers
31.
Wear My Ring Around Your NeckElvis Presley
32.
Topsy Part IICozy Cole
33.
My True LoveJack Scott
34.
SecretlyJimmie Rodgers
35.
Are You SincereAndy Williams
36.
Short ShortsRoyal Teens
37.
Splish SplashBobby Darin
38.
Big ManFour Preps
39.
Who's Sorry NowConnie Francis
40.
Return To MeDean Martin