Year 1954 Fun Facts, Trivia, and History

What Happened During the Year 1954?

What are some fun facts, trivia, and history events from the year 1954? What were the top news stories in the U.S. and around the world, and what major events took place in the business and financial sectors? How much did a gallon of gas cost, and what happened in science, technology, sports, and in the entertainment industry?

Back in 1954, what were the biggest food and fashion trends, and what were the most popular baby names and Christmas gifts? Likewise, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, and how much did a first-class stamp or a gallon of milk cost? What about famous birthdays and deaths that year, and what were the best-selling books?

From world leaders to pioneers to innovators, who were the most influential people in 1954? What was the median household income, the average life expectancy, and how much did a new house or car cost? Finally, what was 1954 best known for, and was it a good or bad year overall? Let's find out.

Here is a summary of the top news stories and history events that happened in 1954:

1. From July 1953 to May 1954, the United States experienced the post-Korean War recession. History.com tells us that this relatively short and mild contraction occurred when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to combat high inflation that was caused by an influx of dollars into the wartime economy. During the 11-month downturn, the GDP lost 2.2 percent and unemployment peaked around 6 percent.
2. In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that “racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional.” Soonafter, integration began in both the Washington, DC and Baltimore public schools.
3. On December 2, the U.S. Senate voted 65 to 22 “to condemn Senator Joseph R. McCarthy for conduct unbecoming of a senator.” The condemnation—which was equivalent to a censure—”related to McCarthy’s controversial investigation of suspected communists in the U.S. government, military, and civilian society.” Thus, the end of McCarthyism.
4. President Eisenhower signed a bill mandating that the words “under God” be added to the Pledge of Allegiance. He also signed legislation authorizing the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway—an elaborate system of locks and canals in both the United States and Canada that would connect the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean.
5. The first mass inoculation against polio with the Jonas Salk vaccine took place at the Arsenal Elementary School in Pittsburgh.
6. American plastic surgeon Joseph Murray performed the first successful organ transplant “when he moved a living kidney from one identical twin to the other.”
7. The Hudson Motor Car Company merged with the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, forming the American Motors Corporation (AMC).
8. In the middle of a debate over atomic energy, Vice-President Nixon broke the ivory gavel that had been used by the Senate since 1789—back when John Adams presided. (The government of India provided the Senate a new ivory gavel, which is still being used today.)
9. From August 25 to October 18, three major hurricanes—Carol, Edna, and Hazel—caused widespread damage from southern Quebec to the Bahamas. (The 1954 Atlantic hurricane season had above-average activity, with 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, and 16 tropical storms identified. On the other hand, the Pacific hurricane season had below-average activity, with 11 tropical storms recorded.)
10. On January 9, the temperature plunged to -87°F at the Northice research station in Greenland, setting a countrywide record. On June 28, the temperature soared to 111°F in Camden, South Carolina, setting a state record.
11. The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two countries—North Vietnam and South Vietnam.
12. The German airline Lufthansa was founded.
13. RCA began production of the CT-100, its first color TV for consumers. Although the color set sold for $1,000, you could also buy an RCA 17-inch black and white tabletop at the time for $189.
14. In 1954, about 29 million American households had television sets—double the number from three years earlier. However, most televisions still were black and white models, since color TVs cost between $1,000-$1,295.
15. Sports Illustrated magazine and Popular Electronics magazine (1954-99) both began publishing.
16. Adele Davis published Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit, one of the earliest health food books.
17. The Piña Colada was invented in Cuba, Royal Crown Cola became the first company to sell soft drinks in cans, and Tropicana owner Anthony Rossi developed a “flash pasteurization process” that made it easier to transport fresh orange juice across the country.
18. In 1954, milk cost 91 cents a gallon, Swanson TV dinners were 89 cents apiece, and Skippy peanut butter was 37 cents for a 14-ounce jar. Eggs were 53 cents a dozen, Kraft Miracle Whip cost 47 cents for a quart jar, and fresh pineapples were 19 cents each. A movie ticket went for 70 cents, a daily newspaper cost a nickel, and an issue of Life magazine was 20 cents.
19. TheBalance.com tells us that on November 23, 1954, “the Dow hit a new high of 382.74. It had taken 25 years for it to beat the pre-Depression high of 381.17, set on September 3, 1929.”
20. Consumer products introduced in 1954 include the Butterball turkey, Carnation instant nonfat dry milk, Chiffon margarine, Kraft Cracker Barrel cheese, M&M's peanut chocolate candies, Rolaids, the transistor radio, Trix cereal, and the Wigomat (the first electric drip coffee maker).
21. In 1954, Al Roker, Angela Merkel, Christie Brinkley, Denzel Washington, Gayle King, Howard Stern, Jackie Chan, Jermaine Jackson, Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Bridges, Sonia Sotomayor, Tina Knowles, and Yanni were all born.
22. Here are some sports facts from 1954: The Minneapolis Lakers were the NBA champs, the New York Giants won the World Series, and the Detroit Red Wings clinched the Stanley Cup.
23. At the 26th Academy Awards, From Here to Eternity won eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
24. W. Leonard Evans, Jr.—a Chicago advertiser—founded the National Negro Network, the country’s first black-owned radio network.
25. At the 27th Scripps National Spelling Bee, 14-year-old William Cashore of Center Square, Pennsylvania correctly spelled the word “transept.”

This article teaches you fun facts, trivia, and history events from the year 1954. Find out about popular TV shows and movies, best-selling books, food and fashion trends, sports facts, pop music artists and songs, famous birthdays, economic and tech news, as well as unusual news events to get the right mix of questions and answers for your 1950s-themed trivia quiz.

Table of Contents

Here is a sneak preview of what this article is about:

1. Grocery Prices in the Year 1954
2. What Was the U.S. Economy Like in 1954?
3. History Facts and Events From the USA and World
4. Sports Facts and Trivia
5. Miscellaneous Fun Facts, Trivia, and Pop Culture Trends
6. Nobel Prize Winners
7. Best-Selling Books
8. 1954 in American Television
9. 1954 in American Radio
10. Highest-Grossing Films
11. Horror Movies From the Year 1954
12. Biggest Pop Music Artists
13. Top 30 Songs for the Year
14. Food and Beverage Trivia
15. Famous Birthdays
16. Notable Weddings
17. Famous People Who Died
18. Top 15 U.S. Companies by Revenue
19. U.S. Automobile Production Figures for the Year
20. American Companies and Brands Established During 1954

1. Grocery Prices in the Year 1954

These 1954 grocery prices have been made available courtesy of the Morris County Public Library in Whippany, NJ.

1. Bacon: 87 cents for a one-pound package
2. Bananas: Two pounds for 25 cents
3. Beans (baked, Van Camp’s): Two 16-ounce cans for 29 cents
4. Beef (sirloin steak): 61 cents a pound
5. Bread (white): 15 cents for a 16-ounce loaf
6. Butter: 59 cents for a one-pound package
7. Cereal (Kellogg's Rice Krispies): 26 cents for a 9.5-ounce box
8. Chicken (frying): 29 cents a pound
9. Chocolate (Whitman’s Sampler): $2.25 for a one-pound box
10. Coffee (Ehlers, instant): 59 cents for a two-ounce jar
11. Cookies (Sunshine Hydrox): 35 cents for a 12-ounce package
12. Corn (Birdseye, frozen): Two 16-ounce packages for 29 cents
13. Crackers (Ritz): 39 cents for a one-pound box
14. Crisco: 33 cents for a one-pound can
15. Eggs: 53 cents a dozen
16. Fish (flounder fillet): 65 cents a pound
17. Ham: 79 cents a pound
18. Hot dogs: 53 cents for a one-pound package
19. Ice cream: $1.29 for a half-gallon carton
20. Juice (orange): Two 18-ounce cans for 23 cents
21. Margarine (Good Luck brand): 30 cents for a one-pound package
22. Mayonnaise (Kraft Miracle Whip): 47 cents for a quart jar
23. Milk: 91 cents a gallon
24. Onions (Texas): Three pounds for 19 cents
25. Oranges (Florida): 39 cents for a five-pound bag
26. Peanut butter (Skippy): 37 cents for a 14-ounce jar
27. Pineapples (fresh): 19 cents apiece
28. Potatoes: 29 cents for a five-pound bag
29. Soda (C&C brand, assorted flavors): Three 12-ounce cans for 29 cents
30. Tea (White Rose): 55 cents for a 48-count box
31. Tuna (Chicken of the Sea, chunk light): 38 cents for a 6.5-ounce can
32. TV dinner (Swanson’s): 89 cents for a 12-ounce package

2. What Was the U.S. Economy Like in 1954?

From July 1953 to May 1954, the United States experienced the post-Korean War recession. History.com tells us that “This relatively short and mild recession followed the script of the post-WWII recession as heavy government military spending dried up after the end of the Korean War. During a 10-month contraction, the GDP lost 2.2 percent and unemployment peaked around 6 percent.”

Income, Housing, and Transportation:

1. Average income per year: $4,137.00
2. Average cost of a new house: $22,000.00
3. Average monthly rent: $85.00
4. Average cost of a new car: $1,700.00
5. Cost of a gallon of gas: 22 cents

Consumer Prices:

1. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, "$1 in 1954 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $9.78 today, an increase of $8.78 over 67 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.46% per year between 1954 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 877.75%. A dollar today only buys 10.22% of what it could buy back then."
2. A gallon of milk: 91 cents
3. A loaf of bread: 15 cents for a 16-ounce loaf
4. A dozen eggs: 53 cents
5. American cheese: 55 cents a pound
6. Swiss cheese: 69 cents a pound
7. Butter: 59 cents for a one-pound package
8. Crisco: 33 cents for a 16-ounce can
9. Kraft Miracle Whip: 47 cents for a quart jar
10. Del Monte ketchup: Two 14-ounce bottles for 25 cents
11. Skippy peanut butter: 37 cents for a 14-ounce jar
12. Post Grape Nuts cereal: 19 cents for a 10-ounce box
13. Bananas: Two pounds for 25 cents
14. Florida oranges: 39 cents for a five-pound bag
15. Potatoes: 29 cents for a five-pound bag
16. Sirloin steak: 61 cents a pound
17. T-bone steak: 95 cents a pound
18. Hot dogs: 53 cents for a one-pound package
19. A pound of bacon: 87 cents
20. An issue of Life magazine: 20 cents
21. A movie ticket: 70 cents
22. A 1954 Chevrolet 150 series sedan: $1,696.50
23. A 1954 Oldsmobile 88: $2,362.00
24. A 1954 Packard Clipper: $2,638.00
25. A boy’s jacket or slacks: $3.95 apiece
26. A girl’s playsuit: $1.99-$2.99 each
27. A man’s dacron suit: $60.00 apiece
28. A woman’s skirt: $3.00-$14.00 each
29. Parsons ammonia: 22 cents for a 32-ounce bottle
30. Old Dutch cleanser: Two 14-ounce cans for 23 cents
31. Clorox bleach: 19 cents for a half gallon
32. A mattress and box spring set: $69.50
33. A Lane cedar chest: $49.95-$79.95
34. Cannon sheets: $1.87 apiece
35. An ironing board: $5.99-$9.99 each
36. A dinnerware set (136 pieces): $29.73
37. A General Electric washer and dryer set: $449.90-$529.00
38. A 20-gallon gas water heater: $75
39. A vacuum cleaner: $24.95-$59.95
40. A 20” metal rake: 79 cents each
41. A daily newspaper: Five cents
42. Pepsodent toothpaste: 69 cents for two giant tubes
43. Ivory soap: Three medium bars for 25 cents
44. Toilet tissue (1,000 sheets): Three rolls for 29 cents
45. A baseball glove: $4.44 apiece
46. A Sears badminton set: $3.69 each
47. Camera film: Three rolls for $1.00
48. Golf balls: Three balls for $1.25
49. Sears roller skates: $1.99 a pair
50. A Zenith portable radio: $39.95

The U.S. Economy:

1. Unemployment averaged 5.0%.
2. Inflation was 0.32%.
3. The minimum wage was 75 cents per hour.
4. In 1968, the average closing price for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was 334.34.
5. TheBalance.com tells us that on November 23, 1954, “the Dow hit a new high of 382.74. It had taken 25 years for it to beat the pre-Depression high of 381.17, set on September 3, 1929.”
6. The DJIA low for the year was 279.87.
7. In January, the prime rate was 3.25%.
8. GDP growth was -0.6%.
9. The price of gold averaged $35.00 per troy ounce.

3. History Facts and Events From the USA and World

1. In 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the United States, and Richard M. Nixon was the vice-president.
2. John Foster Dulles was the secretary of state, and Herbert Brownell Jr. was the attorney general.
3. On January 9, the temperature plunged to -87°F at the Northice research station in Greenland, setting a countrywide record.
4. On January 14, the Hudson Motor Car Company merged with the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, forming the American Motors Corporation (AMC).
5. On January 20, the temperature fell to -70°F in Rogers Pass, Montana, setting a state record.
6. On January 21, the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was launched into the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut.
7. On January 21, General Motors introduced the Firebird—the first gas turbine-powered car—at their annual Motorama display of new models at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
8. On February 18, L. Ron Hubbard’s Church of Scientology was incorporated in California.
9. On February 23, the first mass inoculation against polio with the Jonas Salk vaccine took place at the Arsenal Elementary School in Pittsburgh.
10. On March 20, the first newspaper vending machine went into operation in Columbia, Pennsylvania.
11. On March 22, Northland Center, the world’s largest shopping mall at the time, opened in Oakpark, Michigan.
12. On March 22, the London gold market reopened after being closed since 1939.
13. On March 25, RCA began production of the CT-100, its first color TV for consumers. Wired.com tells us that “the RCA set had a 15-inch screen and sold for $1,000.”
14. On April 1, the U.S. Air Force Academy was created by an act of Congress. According to AcademyAdmissions.com, “The United States Air Force Academy provides a world-class education that also combines athletics, character, leadership development, and military training to forge outstanding United States Air Force and Space Force officers who are ready to lead on day one.”
15. On April 25, Bell Labs unveiled the first solar battery made from silicon.
16. In 1954, the Soviet Union suggested that it should join NATO in order to preserve peace in Europe. On May 7, however, the United States, Great Britain, and France all rejected the Soviet proposal.
17. On May 13, President Eisenhower signed legislation authorizing the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway—an elaborate system of locks and canals in both the United States and Canada that would connect the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. (The St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened on June 26, 1959.)
18. On May 17, in Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that “racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional.”
19. On May 24, the German airline Lufthansa was founded.
20. On June 14 (Flag Day), President Eisenhower signed a bill mandating that the words “under God” be added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
21. On June 28, the temperature hit 111°F in Camden, South Carolina, setting a state record.
22. On July 14, the temperature reached 117°F in East St. Louis, Illinois, also setting a state record.
23. On July 14, the temperature hit 118°F in both Warsaw and Union, Missouri, again setting a state record.
24. On July 15, the temperature reached 110°F in Balcony Falls, Virginia, setting another state record.
25. On July 15, the Boeing 367-80 made its first flight from Renton Field, which is located southeast of Seattle. Wired.com tells us that the jet-powered airliner became the Boeing 707, and ushered in the jet age for passenger travel.
26. On July 27, the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two countries—North Vietnam and South Vietnam.
27. On August 16, Sports Illustrated magazine began publishing.
28. On August 24, President Eisenhower signed the Communist Control Act into law. The bill outlawed the Communist Party of the United States, and criminalized membership in or support of the Communist Party.
29. On August 29, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) opened.
30. From August 25 to September 1, Hurricane Carol ravaged the east coast of the United States as well as points beyond. It caused widespread damage in the Bahamas, southern Quebec, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and North Carolina. HurricaneScience.org points out that over 4,000 homes, 3,500 automobiles, and 3,000 boats were destroyed as a result of Hurricane Carol.
31. On September 7, integration began in both the Washington, DC and Baltimore public schools.
32. From September 2 to September 15, Hurricane Edna ravaged the east coast of the United States as well as points beyond. It caused widespread damage in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. HurricaneScience.org tells us that Hurricane Carol became “the most powerful storm to strike southern New England since the Great New England Hurricane of 1938.”
33. From September 29 to October 2, the World Series was broadcast in color for the first time.
34. From October 5 to September 18, Hurricane Hazel caused widespread damage in Canada, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. Weather.com reports that “Hazel made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near Calabash, North Carolina, close to the North Carolina/South Carolina state border, halfway between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. The hurricane brought a storm surge of over 18 feet to a large area of the North Carolina coastline, producing severe coastal damage.”
35. On October 26, Chevrolet unveiled its V-8 engine that would end up in the 1955 Corvette.
36. On October 27, in a letter to South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, President Eisenhower promised “direct assistance” to South Vietnam.
37. On October 18, Texas Instruments announced plans for the Regency TR-1, the first transistor radio to be commercially sold. “The move was a major one in tech history that would help propel transistors into mainstream use and also give new definition to portable electronics.”
38. On November 12, Ellis Island, the gateway to America, shut its doors after processing more than 12 million immigrants since opening in 1892.
39. On December 2, Senator Joseph McCarthy was formally censured by the Senate in a 67 to 22 vote, thus ending his Communist witch hunt which had begun in 1950.
40. On December 11, the Philadelphia Phillies purchased Connie Mack Stadium.

4. Sports Facts and Trivia

Generally suitable for all age groups, sports questions are a welcome addition to any trivia quiz.

1. Indianapolis 500: Bill Yukovich
2. Kentucky Derby: Determine
3. NBA Champions: Minneapolis Lakers
4. NCAA Basketball: La Salle
5. NCAA Football Champs: Ohio State & UCLA
6. NFL Champions: Cleveland Browns
7. Orange Bowl: Oklahoma over Maryland
8. Rose Bowl: Michigan State over UCLA
9. Stanley Cup Champs: Detroit Red Wings
10. Sugar Bowl: Georgia Tech over West Virginia
11. U.S. Open Golf: Ed Furgol
12. U.S. Open Tennis (men/women): E. Victor Seixas, Jr./Doris Hart
13. Wimbledon (men/women): Jaroslav Drobny/Maureen Connolly
14. World Cup Soccer: West Germany
15. World Series Champions: New York Giants

5. Miscellaneous Fun Facts, Trivia, and Pop Culture Trends

1. In 1954, popular baby names were Michael, James, Robert, John, Mary, Linda, Deborah, and Patricia.
2. The average life expectancy at birth in the U.S. was 74 years.
3. The most popular holiday gifts included Matchbox cars, Scrabble, and the Wiffle bat and ball.
4. Fashion icons for the year were Doris Day, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Audrey Meadows, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner, and Jane Wyatt.
5. Evelyn Ay (Pennsylvania) was crowned Miss America.
6. Miriam Stevenson (South Carolina) became Miss USA.
7. Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” was Secretary of State John Foster Dulles.
8. Consumer products introduced in 1954 include Chiffon margarine, the Jotter ballpoint pen, the Kodak stereo camera, Rolaids, Sunsilk (a hair care product), the transistor radio, Trix cereal, and the Wigomat (the first electric drip coffee maker).
9. In 1954, about 93% of U.S. farms had electricity, and another 49% had telephones.
10. For the first time, there were more tractors on American farms than horses and mules.
11. Kraft introduced the Cracker Barrel brand of natural cheese.
12. Adele Davis published Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit, one of the earliest health food books.
13. On January 4, the daytime soap opera The Brighter Day premiered on CBS. It aired until September 28, 1962.
14. On January 16, the musical South Pacific closed at the Majestic Theater in New York after 1,928 performances.
15. On January 20, W. Leonard Evans, Jr.—a Chicago advertiser—founded the National Negro Network, the country’s first black-owned radio network. BlackAmericaWeb.com explains that “The network launched with over 40 affiliates up to a height of 45 stations across the country. The time slots were filled with popular soap operas, including The Story of Ruby Valentine, which starred the late actress Ruby Dee. Famed musician and band leader Cab Calloway also had a show that appeared on the network.”
16. On February 1, the daytime soap opera Secret Storm debuted on CBS. It aired until February 8, 1974.
17. On March 15, the Morning Show—a CBS news program that was hosted by broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite—premiered. It was quite similar to NBC’s Today Show in format, and originally aired on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM ET. In 1955, the Morning Show was shortened to one hour to accommodate the debut of the children’s series Captain Kangaroo.
18. On March 20, the Broadway musical The King and I closed at the St. James Theater after 1,246 performances.
19. On May 13, the Broadway musical The Pajama Game opened at the St. James Theater, and ran for 1,063 performances.
20. On July 5, the BBC aired its first daily television news program.
21. On July 28, the crime drama film—On the Waterfront—directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint, was released.
22. On September 27, The Tonight Show, hosted by Steve Allen, premiered on NBC.
23. On September 29, the film A Star Is Born—starring Judy Garland and James Mason,—was released.
24. On October 3, the sitcom Father Knows Best debuted on CBS.
25. On October 7, Walt Disney’s first television show, Disneyland, premiered on ABC.

6. Nobel Prize Winners

Beth Rowen tells us that winning a Nobel Prize is a life-changing honor. Whether the laureate is an internationally known figure (such as Mother Teresa) or a scientist from obscurity (like Richard R. Ernst), the award brings worldwide recognition that highlights one's life work and provides the funds to continue the mission.

This Nobel Prize information from 1954 has been made available courtesy of NobelPrize.com.

• Chemistry: Linus Pauling
• Literature: Ernest Hemingway
• Peace: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• Physics: Max Born and Walther Bothe
• Physiology or medicine: John Franklin Enders, Thomas Huckle Weller, and Frederick Chapman Robbins