As local football fans gear up to celebrate Super Bowl XLI, which will be played Feb. 4 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, it is an opportune time to look back at the changes which have occurred since MVP Bart Starr led his Green Bay Packers to a 35-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first Super Bowl.
This years contest marks the 40th anniversary of the first Super Bowl that was played on Jan. 15, 1967 and a lot has changed over the past four decades.
The worlds population totaled 3.5 billion in 1967 and grew to 6.6 billion in 2007 while the population of the United States tallied 200 million in 1967 and 300.9 million in 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Marysvilles population in 1967 was approximately 4,000 and was estimated to be approximately 31,000 in 2006. Arlingtons 1967 population was approximately 2,100 which grew to more than 15,000 in 2006.
In 2006 George W. Bush was president of the United States while Lyndon B. Johnson was president in 1967. Margaret Larson is currently the mayor of Arlington while H. James Cann was mayor in 1967. Marysilles current mayor is Dennis Kendall while Jack Gardner held the position in 1967.
In 2006 the price of a new home was $290,000, up from $24,600 ($149,147 in 2006 dollars) in 1967, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1967, a real estate listing in The Arlington Times and Marysville Globe offered a four bedroom in city limits, 1.5 baths, fenced yard, near all schools for $19,000 while a 2006 listing in The Globe and The Times offered a 1,780-square-foot, three bedroom, 1.5 bath open vaulted floor plan, fenced, two-car garage for $244,950.
Homes were not the only things which increased in price. In 2006 the average cost for a gallon of gas was $3.04, up from 33 cents ($2 in 2006 dollars) per gallon in 1967. The average cost of milk in 2006 was $3 per gallon, as compared to $1.03 ( ($6.24 in 2006 dollars) in 1967. A first-class stamp cost 39 cents in 2006, up from 5 cents in 1967.
Average incomes have increased in the 40 years since the first Super Bowl. The median wage and salary income in 2005 for male and female wage and salary workers was $34,926 and $23,546, respectively. In 1967 the totals were $,5947 and $2,295 ( $29,589 and $11,367 in 2005 dollars). A 1967 help wanted ad in The Globe and The Times sought a Housekeeper, live-in, help care for semi-invalid wife, Sundays and every other Saturday off, $125 per month, while a 2006 ad offered an immediate opening for janitorial, $11 per hour.
In 2006 the median age of the population was 36.2 with a life expectancy of 77.8 years while in 1967 the median age was 29.5 with a life expectancy of 70.5 years. The most popular baby names for boys and girls in 2006 were Jacob and Emily, while Michael and Lisa topped the list of favorite names in 1967.
In 2006 there were 237.2 million motor vehicles registered, up from 98.9 million in 1967. In 2006 there were 42,643 traffic fatalities (or 1.5 fatalities per every 100 million vehicle miles traveled) while there were 51,559 traffic fatalities (five fatalities from every 100 million vehicle miles traveled) in 1967.
While much has changed over the past four decades, one of the things that has remained the same is the nations fascination with the Super Bowl and the commercials run during its broadcast. In 1967 a 30-second spot cost $42,000, by 2006 the cost of a 30-second commercial had soared to $2.5 million.
Whether you plan to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday at home, with friends or at a local watering hole, do so responsibly. According to the Auto Club of California, Super Bowl Sunday ranks second, behind only New Years, in the number of alcohol-related crash deaths and injuries. If youre going to celebrate Super Bowl XLI, dont drink and drive designate a driver or take a taxi.

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board Kris Passey, Scott Frank or Margi Hartnett e-mail forum@premier1.net.