New Inventions
Below are some examples of new inventions or technologies that were popular during this time. Enjoy!
Home Appliances
By 1924, two thirds of the United States homes were equipped with electricity. Advertising was in its infancy, and began to grow by advertising products that ran on electricity like washing machines and refrigerators. Many companies tried to do this by broadcasting all of the time that would be freed up by this inventions for people to other things, or women having more time to spend with their families or for leisure.
Before the invention of the washing machine, many families had a "wash day" which was often Monday, in which the matriarch of the family would remain at home and wash clothing. The arrival of the washing machine liberated several hours a week for other activities.
In 1927, General Electric began to advertise its Monitor Top fridges. It attracted many consumers to its silence, because earlier refrigerators had been boisterous and irritating. It came complete with a freezer that could contain a few trays of ice, and a cabinet for food. A compressor at its head ran the unit, keeping everything inside fresh and delicious.
Sunbeam was a major company who advertised its irons, by using a husband attempting to relieve his exhausted wife from any further labor. Their electric iron sold for $7.50, and claimed to decrease labor by 52 hours annually.
Kitchen appliances also became increasingly popular, like electric toasters, and waffle irons. Such inventions attracted many consumers with their promise of more time on their hands and allowing more time for leisure. Such inventions were responsible for the cultural advancements that were present during the 1920s.
Before the invention of the washing machine, many families had a "wash day" which was often Monday, in which the matriarch of the family would remain at home and wash clothing. The arrival of the washing machine liberated several hours a week for other activities.
In 1927, General Electric began to advertise its Monitor Top fridges. It attracted many consumers to its silence, because earlier refrigerators had been boisterous and irritating. It came complete with a freezer that could contain a few trays of ice, and a cabinet for food. A compressor at its head ran the unit, keeping everything inside fresh and delicious.
Sunbeam was a major company who advertised its irons, by using a husband attempting to relieve his exhausted wife from any further labor. Their electric iron sold for $7.50, and claimed to decrease labor by 52 hours annually.
Kitchen appliances also became increasingly popular, like electric toasters, and waffle irons. Such inventions attracted many consumers with their promise of more time on their hands and allowing more time for leisure. Such inventions were responsible for the cultural advancements that were present during the 1920s.
The Automobile
While the first car, the Model T Ford, was released on October 1st, 1908, many new car companies had started up by the 1920s, like Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Dodge. Some brands, like Ford, decreased the price of their automobile each year to make it more accessible to middle class citizens, who couldn't affect the soaring prices they had faced in earlier years. In 1927, Ford released the Model A, which replaced its earlier Model T.
During this time, there was a funding issue regarding roads for the cars, so the government issued a tax on gas. By 1929, all states had implemented a gas tax ranging from two to five cents per gallon, which provided the government with millions of dollars annually. Roads were redesigned and rebuilt, and new road signs were placed to control traffic in populated areas. Other inventions, like traffic lights, began to pop up around the country.
Due to the rise in popularity of automobiles, vacations became increasingly popular, as ordinary citizens traveled to places that were too far to travel on foot. Many people snatched the opportunity to establish motels alongside roads to offer a place to spend the night on such vacations. Service stations were also placed, as cars broke down often and were in need of repair. These locations not only provided service, but also sold food, drink, gasoline, and oil, similar to stores like Extra Mile or AM/PM today.
The picture above is from a Shell Service Station in the 1920s, located in California.
During this time, there was a funding issue regarding roads for the cars, so the government issued a tax on gas. By 1929, all states had implemented a gas tax ranging from two to five cents per gallon, which provided the government with millions of dollars annually. Roads were redesigned and rebuilt, and new road signs were placed to control traffic in populated areas. Other inventions, like traffic lights, began to pop up around the country.
Due to the rise in popularity of automobiles, vacations became increasingly popular, as ordinary citizens traveled to places that were too far to travel on foot. Many people snatched the opportunity to establish motels alongside roads to offer a place to spend the night on such vacations. Service stations were also placed, as cars broke down often and were in need of repair. These locations not only provided service, but also sold food, drink, gasoline, and oil, similar to stores like Extra Mile or AM/PM today.
The picture above is from a Shell Service Station in the 1920s, located in California.
Aviation
The first plane was invented on December 17th, 1903 by the Wright Brothers, but the aviation industry finally began to become stable in the 1920s, as planes became more reliable and accepted into society. The earliest commercial planes during this time were mail carriers, as they could only carry light loads being made of wood and canvas. However by 1928, metal airplanes became increasingly popular. In that 1928 alone, 4600 planes were built and 104 unique aircrafts were on display at an airshow. Ex-pilots from World War I supported themselves by flying around the country visiting small towns and carrying paying passengers. In 1927, the first airport terminal was established in the United States at Ford Airport, in Dearborn, Michigan. Although it was quite small and existed primarily of a waiting room and ticket office, it still had quite an impact on history.
Increased capabilities and new advances in technologies of 1920s aircrafts tempted men and women to break speed and distance records, like Amelia Earhart or Charles Lindbergh in 1927. They treated these daring pilots like celebrities, and held parades in their honor. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and Charles Lindbergh was the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic. Aerial Exploration also became increasingly popular, which allowed people to explore areas that were not ideal for pedestrian exploration such as Antarctica to be discovered aerially. Soon, a World Air Code began to develop, lead by Charles Lindbergh, to simplify country regulations for international air travel.
The picture above is of Charles Lindbergh, standing in front of the Spirit of St. Louis, which was the aircraft he utilized to fly the first nonstop flight alone from Long Island to Paris in 1927.
Increased capabilities and new advances in technologies of 1920s aircrafts tempted men and women to break speed and distance records, like Amelia Earhart or Charles Lindbergh in 1927. They treated these daring pilots like celebrities, and held parades in their honor. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and Charles Lindbergh was the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic. Aerial Exploration also became increasingly popular, which allowed people to explore areas that were not ideal for pedestrian exploration such as Antarctica to be discovered aerially. Soon, a World Air Code began to develop, lead by Charles Lindbergh, to simplify country regulations for international air travel.
The picture above is of Charles Lindbergh, standing in front of the Spirit of St. Louis, which was the aircraft he utilized to fly the first nonstop flight alone from Long Island to Paris in 1927.