54 Household Items and Trends That Defined the 1950s in America

During the 1950s, the television was a luxury, initially owned by the affluent. Television ownership soared to encompass over 10% of American homes as the decade progressed, transforming it from a luxury to a common household item.

Brands like Magnavox, RCA, and Philco dominated the era, with families paying as much as $500 for a model. Classics such as ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ ‘I Love Lucy,’ and ‘Howdy Doody’ were watched in black and white unless one could afford the lavish $1,000 color TV.