100 YEARS....

 Wow, it still boggles my mind that the year 2010 starts tomorrow....
Just saying it still seems futuristic! How did it get here so fast?

For this post, instead of my memories of the past year, (go HERE to see that) I'd like to share a page of history from the year 1910...

One Hundred Years Ago!

As I read this, I notice things that seem to be repeating themselves.
Trends, attitudes and world events...interesting.
I've tried to edit some of this so it's not too long.
But if you've followed me, you know that isn't a part of this blog...

Get a cup of something, a comfy spot and enjoy going back to a Yesterday long ago.....

Many of the issues of 1910 are ones we face today: including the escalation of immigration and poverty, labor and monopoly battles, and work safety. Unemployment and Soup Kitchens.

1910, the year in which America came of age... began to reform itself.
This was a period of unrest and reform.  Social problems flourished in the U.S.  During 1910, labor unions continued to grow as the middle classes became more and more unhappy. Unsafe working conditions were underscored by a factory fire in which 145 female workers were killed.

Children were hired to work in factories, mills, and mines for long hours in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. They sold newspapers on street corners and shined shoes at all hours.

Efforts to pass a federal law proved unsuccessful, and there was no minimum wage. A commission found that up to 20% of the children living in cities were undernourished, education took second place to hunger and while children worked, only one-third enrolled in elementary school and less than 10% graduated from high school.

Women were also striving for equality. The first Suffrage Parade was held in 1910. Women also won the right to vote...



America became the most highly industrialized country during this time. Mass production of cars created a nationwide prosperity and resulted in one of the most profound social changes in America's history. All over the world people were dancing our dance crazes, listening to our jazz tunes, wearing our fashions, falling for our pop fads, and buying our products. Tobacco was a big business, with immigrants in New York City accounting for 25% of the tobacco purchasing.

The first parachute jump was made, and the Boy Scouts of America were formed. Alice Wells became the first US Police woman, and the cost of a First Class Stamp was 2 cents!
This was also the year people were able to see Haley's Comet for the first time without the use of telescopes.

 The President was William Howard Taft 1910-1913

US Population was 92,407,000
Life expectancy for males was 48 years,
females 51 years
Average salary was $750 a year

The Ziegfeld girls earned $75 a week
Unemployment was at 5.9%
with 2,150,000 unemployed
National Debt was $1.15 billion

There were 76 Lynchings
Divorce was 1 in every 1,000
A 12 day vacation cruise cost $60
A gallon of Whiskey $3.50
A gallon of Milk 32 cents.

 Movie attendance was 30 Million per week.
At 5 cents a ticket...

The "Made in America" fad began. New technologies made more colors available. The Gibson Girl was in the last year of its popularity. 
Women were wanting to think more of comfort in 1910.  Fabrics became lighter, colors brighter, and styles looser.  Lowered necklines became popular and sales of cold cream and lemon extract escalate. The 'tea Gown' was worn at home. The sack, the sheath, oriental costumes, harem trousers, and the Hellenic tunic were all introduced. These were important years for furs.

Head gear was worn... very costum-y. 





The Suffragettes started a more comfortable fashion - no more hobble skirts- and lots of pockets. Hemlines inched up (to show ankles :-).

Men wore striped trousers, a morning coat and starched white shirt. 

 A top hat and frock coat were also worn. 
  
Silent screen stars, made Vamping popular. Hot toys included the Erector Set. Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs. The Ouija Board became popular. Sales of this game soared. Strange to think these are all 100 years old now!

 

The Model T was affordable, so speed became a big fad.  Prestige models became worth going into debt for - cars like Cadillac, Buick, Pierce, Haynes, Packard and Studebaker were popular. Ocean Liners (floating hotels) were the rage.

 Ballroom dancing was popular. Dance crazes included the Fox Trot and the Tango. But Boston, New York, and Cleveland banned the Tango!  Parents worried about loosening morality.  After all, lipstick was worn and actresses showed their legs.
Oh my! Dangerous times!

There were Tent Meetings... entertainment spiced with religious, educational and political messages. Music both stayed the same and changed. Many of the trendier restaurants were equipped with dance floors.
Black Americans continued to write and perform Ragtime, Blues and Jazz.

Fred Astaire danced,
Vaudeville boomed,
Speakeasies sold booze
and entertainers sang "Over There".

 

 





 I hope you enjoyed this little walk through the past with me. I've only touched on a few things here. Just think of all the changes that have taken place since then. When you do, you'll appreciate what we have now. And yet there are  things that, no matter how much time passes, are still with with us..


My wishes for you in this coming New Year are PEACE in your life, Stability, GOOD HEALTH, great FRIENDSHIPS and...LOVE that never ends.

Have a safe weekend.


Till next time....