In the post-war era, London was going through substantial social, political, and economic changes. There was no more extended rationing post-war, but the legacy of World War was still seen everywhere in London and other major cities. There were numerous vacant bomb-sites, unrepaired houses, temporary prefabs, and gardens turned into allotments.
In the 1950s, televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators first arrived in homes. The living standards were improving as council houses offered respected alternatives to slums, and the welfare state was in full bloom. The industrial areas in London polluted not only the air but also the waterways. The London smog of 1952 killed more than 4,000 people, and it lasted for five days.
Below are some spectacular Kodachrome photos that offer a glimpse into the everyday life of London in the 1950s.
