ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.....What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics from one
hundred years ago:
*The average life expectancy was 47 years.
*Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
*Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
*There were only 8,000 cars
and only 144 miles of paved roads.
*The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
*The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
*The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
*The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
*A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
*More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
*Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
*Sugar cost four cents a pound.
*Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
*Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
*Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
*Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
entering into their country for any reason.
*Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
*The American flag had 45 stars.
*The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30!
*Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.
*There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
*Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
*Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
*Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.'
*Eighteen percent of households had at least
one full-time servant or domestic help.
*There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.
*The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
*The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
*The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
*The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
*A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
*More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
*Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
*Sugar cost four cents a pound.
*Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
*Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
*Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
*Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
entering into their country for any reason.
*Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
*The American flag had 45 stars.
*The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30!
*Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.
*There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
*Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
*Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
*Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.'
*Eighteen percent of households had at least
one full-time servant or domestic help.
*There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.
6 comments:
Facts like this are always so interesting to me. One hundred years ago sounds like a long time but when I think about some of the people I know (grandparents and people at church) it wasn't that much before they were even born. I can't imagine no bathtub in the house and washing the hair once a month. Thanks for sharing!
Some of these things I remember well! In the 'old country' we had a portable zinc tub that was filled once a week with water, heated on a wood stove, and then from the youngest to the oldest we all had to bathe in there! Just the thought is yucky, but it worked. Lots of soap and then a final rinse poured over us and we were spanking clean for another week! I'd like to grab your list if I may!
Amazing facts, Susan! Yes, I am glad I didn't live back then! A month--I have a hard time going more than two days to wash my hair! Except I do like the prices of sugar and coffee. This coming from someone who loves coffee!
Miriam :)
Very interesting facts, espcially the one about heroin, and doctors! I don't think I could go without washing my hair for a month, but I guess it is whatever you are used to. Thank you for sharing.
Bethany, Miriam & Susan B:
I'm with you about that once-a-month shampoo being a real bummer! We are so spoiled today with so many conveniences.
Thanks to all of you for your
interesting comments!
Karin...
So happy you 'stopped by', & please feel free to copy the list.
Thanks for sharing such an interesting recollection!
We have a zinc tub we picked up at an antique fair. You should've saved yours..it'd be a collector's item today. Do you ever go back to Germany?
I made a hurried visit to your blog, & it is so very nice!! I'll
be back with more time to 'do it justice'.
God bless! Susan
Fascinating list ... thanks for sharing :o)
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