1961 - Everyday Life

Everyday Life

Toy maker A. C. Gilbert of Erector Set and American Flyer model train sets fame dies at Boston January 24 at age 76.

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy creates a fashion sensation at inaugural ceremonies at Washington, D.C., January 20 by wearing a simple pill-box hat designed by the Bergdorf-Goodman milliner Halston (his head size is the same as hers).

The beltless, sleeveless, high-bosomed princess dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast with Tiffany's boosts the fortunes of its designer, Hubert de Givenchy, now 34, who will open ready-to-wear boutiques worldwide in the next few years, bringing high fashion to women who cannot afford individual creations.

Paris dress designer André Courrèges, 38, opens his own shop, having worked as first assistant to Cristóbal Balenciaga. His early work shows Balenciaga's influence, but by 1964 Courrèges will have established a simple style distinctively his own, with proportionately-cut hip-hugger pants, short skirts, transparent tops, sequined jumpsuits, vinyl trimmed suits and coats, white midcalf boots, and oversize dark glasses.

Legal betting shops open in Britain May 1 for the first time since 1853 under terms of the Betting & Gaming Act passed by Parliament. The government has turned a blind eye to "punters" for more than a century, a labyranthine network of bookmakers' runners has served a flourishing business, and betting parlors will now produce tax revenues.

Mikhail Botvinnik regains the world chess title May 12 by defeating Mikhail Tal; he wins the championship for an unprecedented third time at age 49 (see 1960; 1963).

Procter & Gamble test markets disposable diaper pads at Peoria, Ill. A P&G team headed by former staff chemical engineer Victor Mills, now 64, has replaced the pins in the 1949 Boater product with plastic snaps that cannot prick an infant's skin, but the 10¢-per-diaper price discourages buyers (see Pampers, 1966).