You had the "Gay Nineties" (1890s), the Turn Of The (20th) Century era, then World War I, then The Roaring '20s, The Great Depression '30s, the WWII era.

Later you had the "malt shop '50s", "Vietnam-era, free loving '60s", "Disco '70s", and of course the "80s" and "90s" and what will become "Turn of the Millenium/21st Century".

But in the midst of all this, we find that the c. 1946-1953 period seems to be some sort of "empty quarter" in terms of 20th century culture. For many people born in the 1910s and 1920s (including my Grandfather), they felt that this era was their "best time of their lives", especially with the post-war atmosphere and improving living conditions and economy. However, this period is often very neglected by many, due to its "squareness". Most of this period was the Truman era, although 1953 and much of 1954 under Eisenhower was still rather "stale".

You had the "Gay Nineties" (1890s), the Turn Of The (20th) Century era, then World War I, then The Roaring '20s, The Great Depression '30s, the WWII era.

Later you had the "malt shop '50s", "Vietnam-era, free loving '60s", "Disco '70s", and of course the "80s" and "90s" and what will become "Turn of the Millenium/21st Century".

But in the midst of all this, we find that the c. 1946-1953 period seems to be some sort of "empty quarter" in terms of 20th century culture. For many people born in the 1910s and 1920s (including my Grandfather), they felt that this era was their "best time of their lives", especially with the post-war atmosphere and improving living conditions and economy. However, this period is often very neglected by many, due to its "squareness". Most of this period was the Truman era, although 1953 and much of 1954 under Eisenhower was still rather "stale".


Because World War II just ended a year before so the 1946 to 1949 era seem insignificant and the Korean War, 1950 to 1953, was so small compared to WWII that people didn't have strong feelings for that war. So that's why the 1946 to 1953 era is so often ignored. 

Many "50's" movies are associated with Rock Music, which didn't begin till about 1955. Also, Television just started coming into homes in the early to mid 1950's as well.

yeah, what they said. wwii sucked all the oxygen out of the forties.

you'd be interested to know there's a very excellent book called "by the bomb's early light" that focuses exclusively on the period 1946-49, talking about sowing the seeds of the cold war and the transition from war-related austerity in america to the (alleged) prosperity of the fifties. if the subject interests you it's a damn interesting book.

http://www.amazon.com/Bombs-Early-Light-Paul-Boyer/dp/0807844802

doesn't just talk about politics either, it goes into detail about pop culture and what everyday life was like.

That is because people were home "getting it on" and then taking care of babies. It wasn't until 1951 when the first baby boomers entered school that you started to see a new culture emerging.




Cat

Warner Bros. animation started to win Oscars in 1947, which "Tweetie Pie" was the first...

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h154/Brigitte_B/Marilyn%20favorites/Life01.jpg
Marilyn Monroe became a superstar in 1952, she captured a lot of attention and still does!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h154/Brigitte_B/Marilyn%20favorites/Life01.jpg
Marilyn Monroe became a superstar in 1952, she captured a lot of attention and still does!


Marilyn Monroe is my dream woman!  ;)

  The folks who would recall the era best are reaching advanced age, with all that goes along with it.  Popular culture is a concern of the young...

Yes, but they (the Boomers) didn't start influencing pop culture until about 1964 when the counter-culture started to kick in. Before that the Greasers, Beat-nicks, and Mods of the Silent Generation had been directing it from about 1954-63. And even after much of what is considered Boomer culture was created by Silents including the Beatles, Hendricks, The Who, Crosby Stills and Nash, etc.

What I see is that this period was one of rest following the War. In effect culture was in cruise control, stretching out a music style beyond it's prime. However one might say that this was only in the "White" world. During this period there was a blossoming of R&B music which gave rise to Rock and Roll.


True, but those are from latter end of that generation.  Someone like Fred Rogers wouldn't have live his 12-17 year age in the 50's but rather in the 40's.