Russ Lyon

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and travel back to 1947.

What happened in 1947?

• It was the first year of the Cold War, which would last until 1991, ending with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• Congress passes Taft-Hartley Act, restricting labor unions
• Henry Ford dies, leaving behind a fortune of over $600 million
• Americans can purchase the first new cars manufactured since the beginning of World War II
• President Truman formulated the “Truman Doctrine” of providing aid to countries whose governments are threatened with overthrow
• U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall called for a European recovery effort, popularly called the “Marshall Plan.”
• India and Pakistan proclaimed independent nations
• Britain nationalizes its coal industry.
• Britain’s Princess Elizabeth marries Phillip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh.
• World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn, 4-3 (first televised World Series)
• Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American player in a major league baseball team (Brooklyn Dodgers)
• Over 1 million veterans enrolled in college through the G.I. Bill
• First food processors
• The average cost of a loaf of bread was 13 cents
• The start of the Cold War endured over four decades, from circa 1947 until the decline and eventual collapse of East European and Soviet state communism in the late 1980s.
• 1945 to 1947, to win independence, underground Jewish militias waged a bitter guerilla war against the British, including bombing attacks against British Military Headquarters
• 1947 November 29th The United Nations Special Committee on Palestine recommended the partition of Palestine into two separate states, one Arab and one Jewish
• UFO allegedly found on July 7 in the Roswell UFO incident
• National Security Act is created.
• The CIA was established.
• The classic holiday film “Miracle on 34th Street” premieres.
• Howard Hughes Flying Boat ( The Spruce Goose ) takes off but will never go into production.

What happened in Arizona in 1947?

• A fire destroyed all but four of Phoenix’s electric streetcars in October.
• The city begins the process of transitioning to a public bus transit system.
• The Phoenix Charter Revision Committee is formed.
• Russ Lyon Realty is founded.
• Phoenix Symphony Orchestra is founded.
• Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce was formed, and Scottsdale leaders made a conscious effort to promote a particular identity linked to the Old West, as a reflection of the city’s roots and as a tourist draw.
• The New York Giants start spring training in Phoenix.

1947: Cost of Living

• The average cost of a new house was $6,600.00
• Average wages per year $2,850.00
• The cost of a gallon of Gas is 15 cents
• Average Cost New Car $1,300.00
• Loaf of Bread was 13 cents
• The United States Postage Stamp 3 cents
• Men’s Sweater $8.50
• Bulova Men’s Watch $52.50
• Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup 23 cents for 2 cans
• Leg O Lamb 59 cents per pound
• Loaf Marvel Enriched Bread 13 cents per loaf
• Oranges 49 cents per dozen
• Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Sterling
• Average House Price 1,824
• A couple of examples of houses for sale this year
• Harlingen, Texas New Brick House 5 room house with all furniture included $7,100
• Long Beach, California Mediterranean style Home with Most beautiful 2-story modern home overlooking the ocean well cared for grounds $37,500

Who was born this year?

• January 8th: David Bowie
• February 2nd: Farrah Fawcett 
• March 25th: Elton John
• April 12th: David Letterman
• May 2nd: James Dyson
• July 5th: Judge Joe Brown
• July 18th: Steve Forbes
• July 30th: Arnold Schwarzenegger 
• September 1: Stephen King
• September 27th: Meat Loaf 
• August 14th: Danielle Steel 
• October 26th: Hillary Rodham Clinton
• November 8th: Minnie Riperton

What technology was there?

• First “instant camera” Camera History shown
• Saab produces its first automobile.
• Goodrich Manufacturers’ first Tubeless Tyre
• Howard Hughes Flying Boat ( The Spruce Goose ) takes off but will never go into production.
• The Transistor is invented
• Walter Morrison invents the Frisbee.
• ENIAC, one of the world’s first digital computers, is turned on after a memory upgrade (operated until 1955).
• The Sound Barrier is Broken (Traveling faster than Sound)
• First LP’s History of HiFi and Music Players and Media produced.
• Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country (or attributed to first use)
  • Artificial Intelligence – England by Alan Turing
  • Mobile Phone – USA
  • Transistor – the USA from Bell Laboratories
  • Hologram – Hungary by Denis Gabor

Other News

• 1931 Statute of Westminster
• New Zealand ratifies the 1931 Statute of Westminster, which provides Effective Legislative Independence from Great Britain
• Ferrari began production of Italian sports cars after having been involved in motor racing since 1929
• Ammonium nitrate cargo of SS Grandcap explodes in Texas City, Texas – 552 dead, 3000 injured
• Everglades National Park is dedicated as a National Park by President Harry S. Truman
• A major strike closes The Paris subway
• 50 separate Forest fires in Maine and surrounding states destroy more than two hundred thousand acres
• Hurricane in southeast Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama – 51 killed
• Earthquake in Chilean Andes – 233 dead
• Severe Snow Storm Northeastern part of the United States
• Tornado strikes Woodward, Oklahoma, killing 107
• Polaroid Land Camera Demonstrated giving photos in 60 seconds
• First Of The Dead Sea Scrolls Found in caves near Wadi Qumran
• Following the creation of the National Coal Board in 1946, Great Britain nationalizes Coal mines in 1947.
• The four largest British rail companies Great Western Railway (GWR), the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), and the Southern Railway (SR), were taken over by the government and turned into the Nationalised British Railway.
• Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth marries the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey, London.
• On January 1st, The Canadian Citizenship Act passed in 1946, converting British subjects into Canadian citizens.
• The first Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe festival opens for the performing arts.

Source: https://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1947.html

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947

Source: https://www.babyboomers.com/1947