Suburban neighborhoods, drive-ins, rock and roll, air conditioners, fast food restaurants - these were all characteristics of a changing America. The pent-up demand for consumer goods unleashed after the Great Depression and World War II sustained itself and now prospered in the 1950's. Eventhough the Cold War against communism brought fear of another possible confrontation against Europe, people managed to enjoy the economic success the country experienced. People were once again reminded of the American dream and what it meant to live in a free country. In consequence, pop icons such as Elvis Presley and McDonald's were getting ready to conquer America and the world as well. .
Raymond Kroc became one of the most influential businessmen ever. He started his career as a salesman of "multimixers" - stainless steel machines that could make six milkshakes at once. After visiting his most popular customers Richard and Maurice McDonald and witnessing the success of their restaurant, Kroc encouraged the McDonald brothers to take their business internationally. Ray Kroc's key to success consisted on standardization. Almost every McDonald's that Kroc created, no matter what part of the country was the same: inexpensive, non-time consuming, and clean. In the discussion board I wrote that Ray Kroc's:.
Ambition, persistence, and unrelenting dedication towards making McDonalds a successful business proved to have paid off in the end. Ray Kroc influenced and reflected confidence and trust in the American dream to people who might have otherwise have lost it during the War years. Kroc proved that it was still possible to achieve that which one believed in and was willing to work hard to obtain. Ray Kroc and his McDonalds both became a symbol of a "new America." (Culture 1950's).
Toward the end of the War, many Americans were wondering when things were ever going back to being normal, many questioned the country's involvement in the War, and others lost confidence in the government.