The era brought lighthearted frivolity after two world wars. It was juke boxes and poodle skirts, malt shops and sock hops, polka-dots and cars with big fins. Beatniks kept the beat, hippies weren't hip just yet and the ladies—they went to the beauty salon. You can't recall the era without picturing teasing brushes, cans of hair spray and a row of bouffants nested under hooded dryers.