Back in 1974
This month, we're taking a trip down memory lane to the year it all began: 1974. It was a time of cultural shifts, iconic music, memorable movies, and significant events that shaped the world as we know it today. Back in 1974, Ed Bergeron was just moving to North Conway, and starting his business in a very different town than we see today. A gallon of gas was just $0.50, Ed was billing $15 per hour, and none of the current HEB employees were even born yet. Join us as we explore the songs, movies, sports highlights, and interesting facts that capture the essence of the year HEB Engineers was founded.
World Population
- 1974 - 4.003 Billion
- 2024 - 8.2 Billion
U.S. Population
- 1974 - 213.9 Million
- 2024 - 341.8 Million
Movies Released
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- The Longest Yard
- Blazing Saddles
- Young Frankenstein
New on Television
- Little House on the Prairie
- Happy Days
- Good Times
- Rhoda
Sports
- World Series: Oakland Athletics
- NBA Finals: Boston Celtics
- Super Bowl VIII: Miami Dolphins
- Stanley Cup: Philadelphia Flyers
1974 Quotes
- “Tastes great, less filling” – Miller Lite
- “Dy-No-Mite” – J.J. Wallace, Good Times
- “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” – Al Pacino, Godfather Part II
Top Songs
- “The Way We Were” - Barbra Streisand
- “Come and Get Your Love” - Redbone
- “Dancing Machine” - The Jackson 5
- “Bennie and the Jets” - Elton John
Born in 1974
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Jimmy Fallon
- Lil Kim
- Nelly
- Kate Moss
- Christian Bale
- Victoria Beckham
Cost of Things
- Postage Stamp: $0.08
- New Home: $34,900
- Dozen Eggs: $0.58
- Gallon of Gas: $0.53
- Average Income: $13,900
Minimum Wage
- $2.00/hour
Major Events & Trivia
- Richard Nixon became the first U.S. President forced to resign after the Watergate Scandal.
- 55 MPH speed limit imposed to preserve gas usage U.S.-wide.
- The World Trade Center—the tallest building in the world at 110 stories—opened for business in New York City.
- The first issue of People magazine, then called People Weekly, was published by Time-Life Inc.; on the cover was actress Mia Farrow, then co-starring in The Great Gatsby.
- The Sting won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
- The Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman took place, becoming one of the most famous sporting events of the 20th century
- The first use of Universal product Code (UPC) barcode scanner was installed in Marshed Supermarket in Troy, Ohio.
Meanwhile in Conway…
- The only daytime radio station (sunrise to sunset) was WBNC, now known as WMWV.
- The only traffic light in North Conway was Route 16 and Kearsarge Street.
- The only TV Station was Channel 8 in Black and White.
- Ed’s billing rate was $15/hour.
- None of the current HEB employees were born yet.
