4After World War II, the Midwest auto industry boomed. Car designers introduced tail fins inspired by the P-38 fighter plane.*New cars were longer, wider, and more powerful than ever.
American automakers, mainly based in the Midwest, produced many models of large cars for consumers.*Since gasoline prices in the 1950s were less than thirty cents a gallon, operating a car with low gas mileage was inexpensive.
The period following World War II was a time of prosperity in the U.S. Affluent Americans drove powerful cars produced in Detroit.*Suburbs were built and new roads connecting them to the cities were constructed.
During this period, the prosperity of the U.S. economy was closely tied to the Midwest auto industry.*One auto executive observed that "What's good for General Motors is good for the nation."
