From an interview with Mary and Dave
By Georgina Hewison 6N
Contents
Over the past 50 years technology has become available to everybody. It is much better and makes some things much easier. Mary & Dave thought Mobile Phones & Calculators were the best inventions over the past 50 years. They thought this because Mobiles are instant communication, wherever you are and Calculators are instant maths. They also thought at work 'computers' are very useful and at home 'electric appliances' are helpful. They were both about 11 years old when they watched their first television program in 1959.Both of them felt very excited. In the 1950's not very many people had television.
 
When the computer first came out it filled a large room.
Mary & Dave agreed computers had affected their lives; it had changed their jobs and made life easier. Neither of them had rushed out and bought a C.D Player, Mobile Phone or a fridge. They both like the fridge because it kept the food fresh for longer.
They thought it amazing when the 1969 moon landing happened. It was good that we had enough technology to get a man to land on the moon.
Neil Armstrong
Mary & Dave both listened to Radio Caroline most of the time. In the 1960's The Beatles was their favorite band. They made very popular music. 'I saw her standing there' was Mary & Dave's favorite song. Neither Mary nor Dave liked Elvis, they preferred Adam Faith. The first record Dave bought was Herman's Hermits, 'I'm Into Something Good'. It cost 6 shillings and sixpence {33 pence}. As teenagers Mary &Dave thought music & dancing were the best things because it gave a sense of freedom to express your self.
 
Elvis Presley / Beatles
The first time they traveled in a car was in 1950 it was their parent's car. Both were too young to remember {brought up with cars}. Mary was19 when she learned how to drive Dave was 17. Their first car was an Austin A35 Small Saloon. Mary & Dave had once owned a mini. They thought it was an excellent car ahead of its time. The most exciting sort of transport Dave had been in was a racing car in 1968 he had an adrenalin rush.
Ambulances took longer to get somewhere in 1950 than in 2000.
Mary & Dave did not go on a package holiday but said that travel is the biggest difference in their lives between now & 1950.
 Fashion
- Clothes / Hair
Both Mary & Dave weren't hippies. Dave used to have an Elvis haircut. Mary had a mini skirt which was 12 inches long. The mini skirt was fashionable.
1950's
Tight waist, full skirt & bobby socks (girls)
Drainpipe trousers, Teddy boy suits & creepers (shoes) (boys)
1960's
Mini skirts & knee high boots (girls)
Sharp suits (boys)
1970's
Platform shoes (girls)
Bellbottom trousers, kipper ties & cheese cloth shirts (boys)
1980's
Frilly shirts & Power suits (girls & boys)
1990's
Combat trousers & sleeveless tops (girls & boys)
Mary & Dave didn't like the changes in fashion. They didn't like platform shoes or punk fashion. Dave used to have a quiff and Mary had a bouffant hairstyle.
Quiff: Greased hair brought into a point.
Bouffant: makes your hair bigger.
The miners strike in 1972 affected Mary & Dave as there were power cuts quite often. The power cuts restricted when electricity was available. They were too young to know about the rationing that continued after the war.
Mary's main career was a Bilingual Secretary and Dave was an engineer. Mary worked with a close friend & Dave liked to work with his hands. They both enjoyed their job. Neither of them did national service. Each traveled up to 20 miles to get to work. Mary's first job was a secretary she was paid £12 a week she was 18 years of age. Dave was an engineer/apprentice he was paid £2.50 a week and was 15 years old.
They were very pleased when England won the world cup in 1966; it gave a sense of national pride.
Bobby Moore holding World Cup 1966
Mary & Dave had no strong feelings about immigration as it did not affect them.
They did not like the look of high rise blocks of flats.
Both Mary & Dave were too young to remember the Coronation of Elizabeth II.
When currency was changed to decimals, Mary and Dave thought it was awful.
Changes over the last five decades:
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1950's -
Public Transport
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1960's - Freedom & Lifestyle
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1970's - Foreign Takeaways & Supermarkets
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1980's -
Age of Consent lowered from 21 to 18 years old
Right to buy Council Houses by tenants
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1990's -
Life styles became a lot more casual
By Georgina Hewison 6N |
