Monday 17 September 2012

The Birth of DIY

BBC 1952 Show

(Source)

I recently watched a great documentary series in tribute of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I learnt how much society has changed over time which has influenced subcultures.

  • Strict school uniform and discipline - later causes subcultures to rebel.
  • Although kids and teens were always outside (only a couple of hours TV a day), nobody was allowed to mix with the council estate kids - this could have been the cause of gangs and riots - (mods and rockers)
  • DIY became a hobby because of Black and Decker and they held 1956 DIY exhibitions to inspire people - This then would have a major influence on fashion and bricolage within the Punk subculture.
  • In the 1950's, women took care of men whilst men made the money - cause for rebelling with equality and transgender fashion in subcultures.

It seems that the reasons for subcultures to form was because of things that were happening in the world at the time. The main thing that grabbed my attention was that DIY became a hobby and popular with many in 1952 onwards because of the rise in unemployment and lack of money in households. People made careers out of DIY by opening local stores.


Although DIY took off in the early 50's, the DIY ethic in clothing, design work and even music became most commonly associated with the Punk Subculture in the 1970's. 

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