Forget the numbers that are disclosed. Just look at what the prices are for equivalent things. And work out the 'true' inflation rates.

For instance, look at the price of a barrel of oil then and now. or the price of an ounce of gold then and now.

Or even equivalent manufactured items. Like , for example, the price of a Rolex watch in 1960 versus the price of a Rolex watch in today's dollars.

Prices of equivalent items, then and now, maintain a fairly good relativity. Especially when you price those items in terms of gold. Look at the price of oil, say, in terms of ounces of gold and you will find it's more constant than you would think.