Drive-inMovieTheaters

Interesting facts: In the 1950s there were over 4,000 drive-ins spreading across the United States. Drive-ins offered privacy to all viewers, including families with young kids or teenagers with dates. It was teenagers’ ideal place for dates, and families did not have to worry about finding babysitters to go out or having their children disrupt anyone if they came along. Many theaters opened as much as 3 hours before the movie started, allowing families to come early for their kids to play. Theaters served dinners and had playgrounds, picnic tables, and mini-golf for young families.

Drive-in movie theaters were invented by Richard Hollingshead. He tested the idea in his back yard for sound quality and picture view. The original sound systems for the drive-ins included 3 main speakers unlike now where the sound just plays through individual car speakers. His drive in only operated for three years but it got the message across and, eventually, the fad caught up in other states. Many people in the 1950s referred to drive-in movies as "hi-ways", "sky vues", and "starlites". Historical analysis:

One of the reasons that drive-ins were so popular with families is because it allowed the entire family to go to the movies and not have to hire a babysitter or worry that their children would disrupt the entire audience. They were comfortable in their own car, being able to socialize and watch a movie in the privacy of their own vehicles, children and all. The theatre was often referred to as a “passion pit” after dark because teenagers could escape their past prudishness to socialize, curse, or go in the back of their cars with dates. It foreshadowed the teenage rebellion to come with the emergence of rock and roll in the 50s as well.

These theaters gave American families the ability to go out to the movies with their kids, regardless of how noisy they were.

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