1956 – President Eishenhower defeats Adlai Stevenson in elections. Allen Ginsberg’s Howl, a voice for the Beat generation, is published. Grace Kelly marries her Prince Ranier III of Monaco, and Marilyn Monroe marries Pulitzer prize-winning author Arthur Miller. Elvis Presley makes his debut on national television; four of his songs become hits in 1956. This is the big year for the birth of rock ‘n roll. Hard disks for computers are now available.

1957 – The Soviets launch their satellite Sputnik, and the international space race begins. Swiss inventor George de Mestral patents Velcro. New-on-the-market items include: Tang, “AA” alkaline batteries (Eveready) and the Edsel. Larry King begins his radio career in Miami. Jack Kerouac coins the words “Beat” and “Beatnik” in his novel On the Road. Jackie Robinson retires from baseball. “Leave it to Beaver” debuts, another idealistic yet much-loved family sitcom.

1958 – Boris Pasternak publishes Nobel prize-winning Dr. Zhivago in the United States, but his book is banned in the Soviet Union, and he is forced to decline the Nobel. American Express introduces its charge card, and Visa (at this time known as BankAmericard) and joins the credit campaign. The newly created NASA launches the Explorer. A first class postage stamp costs 4 cents. Some important inventions of this year include: the computer modem, the laser and stereophonic recordings. The Champs win a Grammy (at the first Grammy Awards) for the Best Rhythm and Blues Performance with “Tequila.”