Most 1960's architecture was in the 'modernist' style that had triumphed across the globe since the Second World War. In almost every city and every country, high-rise concrete and glass buildings were going up, designed in a functional style that avoided fussy details or anything that might make a link to the architecture of the past. Tall buildings such as London's Centre Point and Post Office Tower transformed sky lines in previously low-rise cities.
Ordinary people always had problems with this style of architecture, especially when they were asked to live in high-rise buildings on council estates or housing projects. The era of this international style was coming to an end. It would not be long before the authorities started knocking down high-rise blocks, and architects began designing wacky buildings that were fun again.
In the 1960's, many people were well-off enough to buy their first homes. Others however, remained in poverty. In 1965, there were more than 3 million people living in slum housing. The government and local councils built many new homes in the sixties.
In many cities, hign-rise flats were built as a quick and cheap solution to the housing problem. Many people thought they were ugly and they created problems for the people living in them. They were dangerous for young children, and there was no where for them to play.
Sixties architecture will also be remembered for some dramatic building designs. Materials such as concrete and glass were used to build some striking new buildings.
In the second half of the 1960's, youth culture produced its own art style, known as psychedelia. American artist Milton Glaser was the finest exponent psychedelic posters and album covers in the late 1960's. With its bright colours and swirly patterns, psychedelia was supposed to represent mind-altering drug experences.
Several things happened to change the experience of shopping in the sixties. Most households had a fridge, if not a freezer, and so people did not need to shop everyday. Shops began to change too. Supermarkets opened up all over the country.
Most people enjoyed the experience of self-service shopping (with the introduction of a shopping trolley!) and the wide range of goods available. Many supermarkets offered shopping 'stamps' as an incentive to buy (eg. 'Green Shield stamps'). The stamps were given out as you bought things and when you had enough, you could exchange them for gifts chosen from a catalogue.
The sixties was a good time to be in business. There were grants available for people to start new ventures and the public had money to spend on consumer goods and fashions.
In the sixties, more and more women were choosing to go out to work rather than stay at home. However, they were paid far less than men. In 1967, a man working in a factory was paid about �21 a week, but a woman was paid only �10 a week for doing the same work. It wasn't until the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1970 that women had to be paid the same as men.
Farming in the sixties was very different to how it is today. There were many more farms, and the size of each was smaller. Farms were less mechanised than they are now, and so they needed more men to work on them.
The outbreaK of Foot and Mouth Disease, was probably the biggest problem of the decade for farmers. In October 1967, the first case was found in Shropshire and within weeks it had become the worst outbreak British farmers had ever encountered. In 8 months, animals on 2,364 farms got the disease and nearly 430,000 were slaughtered.
Growing up in the 60's - Main page