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| You are here -> HOME - RETROVILLE - 1962 | - Fads & Fashion - Fallout Shelters | |||||||||||||||
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| Welcome to Retroville! It's 1962! | ||||||||||||||||
| Following World War II and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by U.S., Americans became fearful of attack by the Soviet Union who had also developed the destructive devices.
Fear of nuclear attack permeated the United States resulting in almost every major city creating a plan in the event of nuclear attack. These plans involved bomb shelters, typically parking garages and underground railway systems, where people could go should the dreaded air raid sirens blare. For individuals, however, the threat of nuclear attack sometimes demanded personal fallout shelter protection. Throughout the United States, people feverishly worked to build private shelters of concrete, reinforced concrete, and other materials in the hope of protecting themselves and their families. |
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| These once-familiar Fallout Shelter signs were prevalent throughout major American cities in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's before the fear of nuclear attack began to wane. | ||||||||||||||||
| Many fearful people were talked into purchasing and installing pre-made or precast bomb shelters offered by various opportunistic builders and architects. The units were typically small, providing only enough space for a family and its provisions for two weeks. Others were elaborate underground facilities containing multiple rooms, provisions for months, and even pool tables and other luxury items.
Demand for fallout shelters reached its peak during the Cuban Missle Crisis. Thereafter, fear of nuclear attack waned as various treaties and agreements were reached with the Soviet Union and other nuclear nations. |
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