🇬🇧United Kingdom · 50s
Munich and Notting Hill
Manchester United died at Munich, and racial hatred erupted in Notting Hill.
5 milestones of 1958
A plane carrying Manchester United crashed on takeoff from Munich. 23 people died, including 8 of the 'Busby Babes' — the greatest young team in English football. Matt Busby survived and rebuilt the club.
Sporting tragedy — honour the victims with deep respect
White mobs attacked West Indian residents in Notting Hill for several nights. 108 people were arrested. The riots exposed deep racism in Britain and eventually led to the Notting Hill Carnival as a celebration of Caribbean culture.
Racial violence — condemn racism, honour the community's resilience
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was founded in London. The first Aldermaston March at Easter drew thousands. The peace symbol was designed by Gerald Holtom for the campaign.
The Act allowed the creation of life peers, including women for the first time. The House of Lords began its slow modernization. Baroness Swanborough became the first woman to take her seat.
Britain's first parking meters were installed in Mayfair. Motorists were outraged at paying to park. The car was king, but London was running out of space.
70% local · 30% international
Dracula
Terence Fisher — Christopher Lee's Count. Hammer Horror's greatest triumph.
A Night to Remember
Roy Ward Baker — The definitive Titanic film before Cameron. Kenneth More on the bridge.
Carry On Sergeant
Gerald Thomas — The first Carry On film. 31 more would follow.
Vertigo
Alfred Hitchcock — Hitchcock's masterwork — now considered the greatest film ever made.
Ice Cold in Alex
J. Lee Thompson — John Mills drives an ambulance across the desert. That beer at the end.
Blue Peter
1958-present — The longest-running children's show launched. 'Here's one I made earlier.'
Grandstand
1958-2007 — BBC Saturday afternoon sport. The vidiprinter. Football results ritual.
Hancock's Half Hour
1956-1960 — Tony Hancock at his peak. 'The Blood Donor' was coming.
Oh Boy!
1958-1959 — ITV's rock 'n' roll show. Cliff Richard's big TV break.
Monitor
1958-1965 — Huw Wheldon's arts programme. BBC culture at its finest.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 3.0%
Steady growth. Hire purchase booming. The affluent society was taking shape despite social tensions.
Inflation-adjusted values
Parking meters
London's first — technology managing the car-clogged city.
Motorway construction
The Preston Bypass opened — Britain's first motorway stretch.
Stereo records
Stereophonic records launched in the UK — music in two channels.
Hovercraft
Christopher Cockerell's hovercraft prototype tested on the Solent.
Transistor radios
Portable transistor radios becoming essential teenage accessories.
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