American Pop-Drive-In America: Car Culture and the Reshaping of Public Space, 1945-1970

Discover how the automobile fundamentally reshaped American life beyond mere transportation in this compelling cultural history. From drive-in theaters where families watched movies under the stars to restaurants that served meals on trays attached to car windows, this installment in the best-selling AMERICAN POP series explores how cars became extensions of living space that transformed entertainment, dining, commerce, and even religious worship.

This richly detailed narrative examines the rise of distinctive automotive architecture like Googie-style buildings with their space-age aesthetics designed to catch the eye at 60 mph, and the development of suburban landscapes built around automotive mobility. You'll discover how drive-in culture democratized leisure by creating hybrid public-private spaces that accommodated families with young children, teenagers seeking independence, and working-class patrons uncomfortable in more formal environments.

The book also traces the eventual decline of drive-in culture through changing land economics, home entertainment technologies, environmental concerns, and shifting social patterns-culminating in today's surprising revivals and adaptations. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Prescott reveals how our relationship with automobiles created uniquely American spaces and experiences that balanced individual autonomy with communal connection, reshaping not just the physical landscape but the very fabric of national identity.