Peering back into 1952 | CNN

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Peering back into 1952

Updated 11:25 AM EDT, Thu May 31, 2012
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In 1952 "Teddy Boys" were just starting to appear -- these guys were snapped in London in 1955.
Peering back into 1952 —
In 1952 "Teddy Boys" were just starting to appear -- these guys were snapped in London in 1955.
Getty Images
Strong color emerged from the austerity of the the post-war era -- as this exhibit from the London Fashion and Textile Museum demonstrates.
Peering back into 1952 —
Strong color emerged from the austerity of the the post-war era -- as this exhibit from the London Fashion and Textile Museum demonstrates.
Kirstin Sinclair
Very few British families owned a TV in 1952 -- but during Queen Elizabeth II's reign it has been the primary source of entertainment.
Peering back into 1952 —
Very few British families owned a TV in 1952 -- but during Queen Elizabeth II's reign it has been the primary source of entertainment.
Cae Dai 50s museum
Many recall the 1950s as being drab -- but the decade also had style.
Peering back into 1952 —
Many recall the 1950s as being drab -- but the decade also had style.
Kirstin Sinclair
In the era before Elvis Presley, crooners like Al Martino were popular. He had a hit in the UK in 1952 with "Here in my heart."
Peering back into 1952 —
In the era before Elvis Presley, crooners like Al Martino were popular. He had a hit in the UK in 1952 with "Here in my heart."
Getty Images
If you wanted to make a phone call in 1952, you most likely had to use a box in the street. This one was snapped in 1963 but the familiar red design remained for decades.
Peering back into 1952 —
If you wanted to make a phone call in 1952, you most likely had to use a box in the street. This one was snapped in 1963 but the familiar red design remained for decades.
Getty Images
UK call boxes of 1952 took coins from the pre-decimal era. Some coins from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II's ancestors were still in circulation into the early 1970s.
Peering back into 1952 —
UK call boxes of 1952 took coins from the pre-decimal era. Some coins from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II's ancestors were still in circulation into the early 1970s.
CNN
But finding a London call box in 1952 could be a hazard. The great smog of 1952 killed 4,000 people.
Peering back into 1952 —
But finding a London call box in 1952 could be a hazard. The great smog of 1952 killed 4,000 people.
Getty Images
One of the last trams to run in central London pictured crossing Westminster Bridge in 1952.
Peering back into 1952 —
One of the last trams to run in central London pictured crossing Westminster Bridge in 1952.
The trams have gone but the distinctive red double-decker buses still grace the streets of London in 2012.
Peering back into 1952 —
The trams have gone but the distinctive red double-decker buses still grace the streets of London in 2012.
Getty Images

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