What Was Happening in 1946 When Phillips Energy Launched?
The year was 1946, the year of the Fire Dog for those of you who also track the Chinese Zodiac. Phillips Energy officially started in 1946 along the York River at Gloucester Point. You may know our first building – the Beach Shack owned by Gloucester County today.
This year marks our 70th anniversary in the energy industry, helping fuel people’s lives across our community.
Looking back, a lot has changed since we first opened our doors. We grew from that first location to today, where we have locations in Gloucester, Mathews and New Kent. We now feature alternative fuels, propane and a retail fuel station. We service and install HVAC and more.
Here’s a look back at what was happening in 1946!
People
Harry S. Truman was President
Marilyn Buferd (Los Angeles, CA) was crowned Miss America
St. Louis Cardinals are World Series Champions
Sylvester Stallone was born July 6th
Steven Spielberg was born December 18th
Dolly Parton was born January 19th
Cher was born on May 20th
Cost
Average cost of a new house was $5,600
Average wage per year was $2,500
Average cost of a new car $1,120
Minimum wage was $0.40
First-Class U.S. postage was $0.03
One year tuition at Harvard was $420
The cost of a movie ticket was $0.55
A gallon of milk cost $0.67
One dozen eggs cost $0.59
Inventions
World’s first electric blanket
Tupperware was introduced to US consumers
The first general-purpose electronic computer is unveiled at the University of Pennsylvania
AT&T announces their first car phones
Piaggio produces the first successful motor scooter, The Vespa
Films Released
It’s a Wonderful Life
Notorious
The Best Years of Our Lives (BEST FILM OSCAR WINNER)
Song of the South
Great Expectations
Beauty and the Beast
Stairway to Heaven
Top Five Songs
Perry Como – “Prisoner of Love”
Eddy Howard – “To Each His Own”
Ink Spots – “The Gypsy”
Frank Sinatra – “Five Minutes More”
Frankie Carle – “Rumors Are Flying”
Happenings
The bikini debuted in Paris on July 5th
The Cannes Film Festival debuts in France in September
RCA begins production of 630-TS, the first television designed and manufactured after the war. 10,000 units are sold by the end of the year
The first televised heavyweight fight (Joe Louis va Billy Conn) was viewed June 19th
Faraway Hills becomes the first TV soap opera on October 2nd
Top Christmas Toys
Magic 8 Ball
Lionel Trains with “Stream”
Streater Steam Shovel Truck
Sources:
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1946.html
http://www.infoplease.com/year/1946.html
http://www.pop-culture.us/Annual/1946.html
http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_year=1946
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0768871.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/the-boomer-list-timeline-of-a-generation/3153/
http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/songoftheyear/
http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=price-life-united-states-1946-vs-2006
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1946%20QF.htm
http://www.imdb.com/search/title?year=1946,1946&title_type=feature&sort=moviemeter,asc
