In Europe1957
The European Economic Community
Six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, the start of what became the European Union.
Born 17 May 1959
6 facts1 source
Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.
17 May 1959
Born
He has lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In Europe1957
Six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, the start of what became the European Union.
At the table
Prosperity Symbolized by Hearty Meals
Following the scarcity of the postwar years, a "wave of eating" began in the mid-1950s where hearty portions of potatoes, thick sauces, and pork roast with fat crust became symbols of newfound prosperity.
What people wore
The Klepper Coat Status Symbol
The Klepper coat, a rainproof jacket, became a significant status symbol for West German men by 1955. Nearly two-thirds of all raincoats produced in the country that year were manufactured by this firm.
Getting around
Train travel costs in 1950
A 1950 third-class train ticket from Bocholt to Münster cost 5.50 DM, while a platform ticket required for companions cost 10 Pfennig.
What it cost
Worker wages in 1955
In 1955, the average hourly wage for a West German industrial worker rose to 1.76 Mark from 1.65 Mark in 1954.
Music
Rare records and fragile needles
Shellac records were so rare that customers had to trade in an old disc when buying a new one. The needles used to play them often wore out after only two or three uses.
Daily life
Cramped and basic postwar living conditions
In the early postwar years, families often lived in severely cramped, makeshift conditions such as barracks or subdivided rooms, with many sharing a single bed among multiple people. Basic necessities like light, heating, and running water were frequently missing or unreliable, forcing households to use items like oil lamps and primitive stoves for warmth and cooking.