Abstract
Between 1947 and 1960, the average real income for American workers increased by as much as it had in the previous half-century. Over the same period, the GDP soared 220%. Consumption of personal services increased by 3 times. In 1960, per capita income was 35% higher than even the boom year 1945. The GI Bill contributed to the building boom of the late 1940's and 1950's, thanks to the loans granted to veterans. The technological breakthrough increased productivity. R&D emerged as a major industry in its own right. In the mid-1950's, the American economy crossed the line from an industrial to a post-industrial state, with white-collar workers outnumbering blue-collar workers. And the vitality of the Labor movement was no doubt affected by that. Huge corporations created a new managerial personality which was called the Organization Man. It was as much involved in mastering the art of interpersonal relationship as in accomplishing its professional task.
