Friday, February 3, 2017

1916 - One Hundred Years Ago


I got these interesting facts from 100 years ago in an email from Wendell's friend Steven.  Thanks Steven!

  
The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour. The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year. 

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year. A dentist $2,500 per year. A veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year. 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.

The 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 only 30.


Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet. 
   
There was neither a Mother's Day nor a Father's Day.

2 out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, 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.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

My Auntie just turned 100 last week Wednesday and we were wondering out loud at some of the things/progress/change she lived through, but reading this list makes it even more amazing, the things she's seen/experienced. Thanks for sharing.

Izsmom

jalna said...

Izsmom, so amazing yah. Congrats to your Auntie!

Susan said...

Interesting list! The heroin one I still can't get over, lol.

Chet Colson said...

Imagine if the people that lived a 100 years ago could see where we're at,they'd be amazed and that Donald Trump's president.

Erick said...

That is so amazing how so much has changed in 100 years. I wonder how people a 100 years from now will view what we do as ancient.

Susie said...

We've come a long way. Great list, make you think about how they did it, and the changes in their life time.

K and S said...

wow!

Honolulu Aunty said...

Glad I am of this generation. Imagine not washing your hair or having baths! Hauna!

jalna said...

I know, Susan . . . that heroin thing . . . what in the world?!

No kidding, Chet!

So interesting thought, Erick!

Susie, can't believe how much has changed in only 100 years, yah.

No kidding, Kat.

Soooo funny, Aunty.

Kay said...

Can you imagine what it will be like 100 years from now?

Leslie's pics said...

HOLY MOLY!!

jalna said...

I cannot, Kay.

Totally, Les. You know what I wonder . . . if the average hourly wage was 22 cents/hour, then sugar, eggs and coffee were expensive.