In the news1958
First motorway opens in 1958
Britain opened its first motorway, the Preston bypass, in 1958.
Born London, 22 Apr 1957
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22 Apr 1957
Born in London
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In the news1958
Britain opened its first motorway, the Preston bypass, in 1958.
What people wore
Everyday wear and voluminous party skirts
Women wore floral pinafores as everyday house wear and favoured full-skirted dresses with stiffened petticoats for special occasions. These skirts were sometimes so voluminous that they made it difficult for women to pass through doorways.
Getting around
Work commute times remained stable
The average time for a work commute in Britain remained remarkably stable, averaging roughly 33 to 34 minutes during the 1950s and 1960s.
In Europe · 1956The Hungarian uprising. Hungarians rose against Soviet rule; Soviet tanks crushed them within weeks and 200,000 fled abroad.
In the news1954
Food rationing, which began during World War II, finally ended in 1954.
Music
DIY Skiffle Craze of the 1950s
In the late 1950s, an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 amateur skiffle groups performed in youth clubs, church halls, pubs, and school halls using cheap or homemade instruments like washboards and tea chest basses. This democratic, do-it-yourself music movement made performing accessible to young people who lacked the resources for traditional instruments.
Daily life
Manual housework and outdoor facilities
Many homes lacked modern appliances, so housework was manual and time-consuming, and people often stored food in larders instead of fridges. Outdoor toilets and washing in tin baths in front of the fire were common for some families during this time.