A Reliance on Oil.

Aside from the relatively new atomic energy, the United States relied on crude oil (in refined form) to run its automobiles, to produce electricity in power plants, and for lubricants. Oil use exceeded that of coal or natural gas. In 1953 the United States imported more oil than it exported for the first time. Congress attempted to protect domestic producers of oil with a quota system on imports, initiated in 1959.

The Appliance Boom.

Electrical-energy production stood at 329 billion kilowatts in 1950, 232 percent more than the 142 billion in 1940, with the cost per kilowatt steadily declining. Soon after the end of World War II a vast array of new electrical devices made its way into households, including dishwashers, freezers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, ranges and ovens, and refrigerators. The availability of smaller items such as vacuum cleaners increased through door-to-door sales, and larger items benefited from...