Memory Lane: 1974

Inflation continues to spiral out of control around the world reaching 11.3% in the USA and the global recession deepens.

The famous skeleton “Lucy” is discovered in Ethiopia which lived between 3.9 to 3 million years ago.

More and smaller digital based consumer products appear in the shops and the earliest forms of Word Processors appear which resemble a typewriter more than a computer.

After the findings of the Watergate Scandal Richard Nixon becomes the first US president forced to resign from office.

In The News

Pocket calculators for sale for first time

Lucy hominid skeleton 3 million years old is discovered

President Isabela Peron ( Evita ) becomes president of Argentina

Cyclone Tracy nearly destroys Darwin

Largest series of tornadoes in history strike the US

Gasoline shortages and price increases throughout the world

55 MPH Speed Limit imposed

Richard Nixon forced to resign after the Watergate Scandal


Population/Economy

Population:

  • Wake County: 263,015
  • NC: 5,471,000
  • USA: 213,900,000

National Debt:

  • $475,059,815,731 (1974)
  • $18,152,809,942,589 (2015)

Value of a Dollar: $1 in 1974 is $5.08 in 2015

Cost Of Living 1974:

  • Yearly inflation rate: 11.3%
  • Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average: 616
  • Average cost of new house: $34,900
  • Average income per year: $13,900
  • Average monthly rent: $185
  • Average cost of a new car: $3,750
  • Cost of a gallon of gas: $0.55
  • Samsonite Case: $62
  • Cheeseburger at McDonald’s: $0.30
  • Ticket to Disneyland: Admission and 12 Adventure Book: $6.75-$7.50

Ounce of Gold Price:

  • The cost of an ounce of gold was $159.26
  • The inflation-adjusted price of an ounce of gold was $773.11


Going to the Movies

Cost of a movie ticket: $1.87

Inflation-adjusted price of a movie ticket: $9.08

The cost of a movie ticket in 2015: $7.92

Top 5 Movies:

  1. Blazing Saddles 
  2. The Towering Inferno 
  3. The Trial of Billy Jack 
  4. Young Frankenstein 
  5. Earthquake 

 

46th Academy Awards

  • Best Picture: The Godfather Part II
  • Best Director: Francis Ford Coppola – The Godfather Part II
  • Best Actor: Art Carney – Harry and Tonto
  • Best Actress: Ellen Burstyn – Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
  • Best Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro – The Godfather Part II
  • Best Supporting Actress: Ingrid Bergman – Murder On The Orient Express


Top 10 TV Shows

  1. All in the Family – CBS – 20,687,000
  2. Sanford and Son – NBC – 20,276,000
  3. Chico and The Man – NBC – 19,522,500
  4. The Jeffersons – CBS – 18,906,000
  5. M*A*S*H – CBS – 18,769,000
  6. Rhoda – CBS – 18,015,500
  7. Good Times – CBS – 17,673,000
  8. The Waltons – CBS – 17,467,500
  9. Maude – CBS – 17,056,500
  10. Hawaii Five-O – CBS – 16,988,000

Top 20 Pop Songs

  1. Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were
  2. Terry Jacks – Seasons In The Sun
  3. Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love’s Theme
  4. Redbone – Come And Get Your Love
  5. Jackson 5 – Dancing Machine
  6. Grand Funk Railroad – The Loco-Motion
  7. MFSB – TSOP
  8. Ray Stevens – The Streak
  9. Elton John – Bennie and The Jets
  10. Mac Davis – One Hell Of A Woman
  11. Aretha Franklin – Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)
  12. Kool and The Gang – Jungle Boogie
  13. Maria Muldaur – Midnight At The Oasis
  14. Stylistics – You Make Me Feel Brand New
  15. Al Wilson – Show And Tell
  16. Jim Stafford – Spiders and Snakes
  17. David Essex – Rock On
  18. John Denver – Sunshine On My Shoulders
  19. Blue Magic – Sideshow
  20. Blue Swede – Hooked On A Feeling


Top 20 Country Songs

  1. I Love – Tom T. Hall
  2. Jolene – Dolly Parton
  3. World Of Make Believe – Bill Anderson
  4. That’s The Way Love Goes – Johnny Rodriguez
  5. Another Lonely Song – Tammy Wynette
  6. There Won’t Be Anymore – Charlie Rich
  7. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel – Conway Twitty
  8. Would You Lay With Me – Tanya Tucker
  9. A Very Special Love Song – Charlie Pride
  10. Hello Love – Hank Snow
  11. Things Aren’t Funny Anymore – Merle Haggard
  12. Is It Wrong – Sonny James
  13. Country Bumpkin – Cal Smith
  14. No Charge – Melba Montgomery
  15. Pure Love – Ronnie Milsap
  16. I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
  17. I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore – Charlie Rich
  18. This Time – Waylon Jennings
  19. Room Full Of Roses – Mickey Gilley
  20. He Thinks I Still Care – Anne Murray


This Year in Sports

ACC Football Champ: Maryland

ACC Basketball Champs: NC State (NCSU 103 – Maryland 100)

World Series Winner: Oakland Athletics over the LA Dodgers

Heavyweight Boxing Champ: George Forman (Universal); Muhammad Ali (Universal)

Super Bowl VIII: Miami Dolphins (Dolphins 24 – Minnesota Vikings 7)

NASCAR Season Winner: Richard Petty

Masters Winner: Gary Palmer (10 under – won $30,000)

Wimbledon Winners:

  • Men’s Singles: United States Jimmy Connors defeated Australia Ken Rosewall, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4
  • Women’s Singles: United States Chris Evert defeated Soviet Union Olga Morozova, 6–0, 6–4
  • Men’s Doubles: Australia John Newcombe / Australia Tony Roche defeated United States Bob Lutz / United States Stan Smith, 8–6, 6–4, 6–4
  • Women’s Doubles: Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley / United States Peggy Michel defeated Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley / Australia Karen Krantzcke, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3
  • Mixed Doubles: United States Billie Jean King / Australia Owen Davidson defeated United Kingdom Lesley Charles / United Kingdom Mark Farrell, 6–3, 9–7