Fifty years ago, after 13 years of post-war growth, the U.S. economy hit its first economic downturn since the Depression. In April, 1958,LifeMagazine dispatched a team of writers and photographers to cover the story. Here is what they learned.
Unemployment
Fueled by a drop in unfulfilled orders for durable goods and a declining demand for commodities and other raw materials, the recession of 1958 forced over five million people — nearly 7% of the labor force — out of work. In the photo above, Illinois residents line up at an unemployment office in Chicago.Al Fenn / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Voter’s Fears
As the nation grew anxious, Congressmen used a recess to return to their districts to sound out their constituents on their concerns. Life photographer Walter Sanders traveled with Representative Edwin H. May, Jr. as he met with farmers in Connecticut.Walter Sanders / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Seed Money
The Life team found that many merchants tried to take matters into their own hands. A Hampton, Iowa banker named Dana Bramwell distributed $1,100 in bonuses (represented by the clutch of $1 bills he holds in this photo) to his employees, with the stipulation that they spend it on nonessential items.Stan Wayman / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Spring Promotion
A Maytag dealer, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, tempted customers with gifts and a band in an effort to overcome their fears about buying a new appliance.Stan Wayman / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Hard Times
The downturn spread beyond US borders to Europe and Canada, where many businesses, including the mining operation, above, were forced to shut down.Robert W. Kelley / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Town Hall
Congressman Wilbur D. Mills meets with voters in Heber Springs, Arkansas, to discuss the recession. Life reported that he was forced to endure a long grilling, as the two primary engines of the local economy, oil production and agriculture, were particularly hard hit by the downturn.Thomas D. McAvoy / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Presentation
In the district of Congressman William H. Avery, of Kansas, Life found that the conversation centered more on a proposal to erect a new post office than on the economic slump. In the photo above, Avery discusses construction plans with members of a Federal Building Committee.Al Fenn / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Banishing Bad Thoughts
In Kankakee, Illinois, members of the Chamber of Commerce staged a mock execution of "Old Man Gloom", as part of an effort to rally local spirits.Francis Miller / Time Life Pictures / Getty
All Night Sale
In an effort to overcome declining auto sales, one of the hardest hit sectors of the slump, the Beyer DeSoto dealership of St. Louis put its salesmen on duty for 64 hours straight, as part of a sell-a-thon that raised sales 73%.Francis Miller / Time Life Pictures / Getty
