Drive-in movie theaters were considered a brilliant new idea back in the '50s. They had a magnetic allure, much like the smartphones of today; everybody had to experience them! The concept was introduced in the '30s, and spread like wildfire. Drive-in theaters reached peak popularity when the '50s came. It was the quintessential romantic date idea: a lovely summer night, snuggled up in the privacy of your car, watching a movie with your loved one. It became such an integral part of society in the '50s that it’s often the first image that pops up when talking about the decade.
When the 1950s came, there were already 5,000 drive-ins across the US alone. With WWII finally in the past, the parents of the baby-boomer generation were enjoying the social comforts brought on by peace. After years of chaos, people were thrilled to see the emergence of new technology geared towards entertainment. It’s no wonder drive-in theaters hit such a high during the decade. The best drive-in places had snack bars that offered hamburgers, drinks, pizzas, and young ladies wearing roller skates to serve your orders. Customers didn’t even have to leave their cars to get snacks. Each space had a microphone into which you could place your order.
