1903 Ford Model A - http://en.wikipedia.org |
1928 Ford Model A Business Coupe - http://en.wikipedia.org |
Ah-h-h! The Ford! It has been around for a long, long time. The first vehicle of its kind was sold to Dr. E. Pfenning, a physician from Chicago, Illinois. It was shipped to Dr. Pfenning on July 28, 1903. This sale came at a most appropriate time for the fledging Ford Motor Company. The 1903 Ford Model A was a simple machine with a 2-cylinder engine, producing eight horsepower and could reach 30 miles per hour (only on smooth roads, which were rare indeed!) Since that first Model A in 1903, Ford Motor Company has gone on to produce over 300 million vehicles. Go, FORD!
As we look back on the times of the early 1900s, we find it much, much different from today. The past 113 years have been witness to depression, war and peace time, as well as medical and technological advances that appear to be something out of a sci-fi movie.
Here is just a taste of the happenings of 1910 that will hopefully whet your appetite to want to learn more. This is history. . .American history. How much do you remember?
Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores
only.
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 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
$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.
There was no such thing as under arm deodorant or tooth paste.
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 no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE USA!
I am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself.
From there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD...all in a matter of seconds!
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.
There was no such thing as under arm deodorant or tooth paste.
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 no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE USA!
I am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself.
From there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD...all in a matter of seconds!
Great fun read.
ReplyDeleteI had tons of fun reading your blog, Sharla!! Thanks for sharing this! You're such a great writer!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read--thanks
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post as well. Last year, while vacationing in VA, I visited a car museum and enjoyed the older cars, their beauty. Interesting, what will it look like in 100 years. Have you seen the movie Book of Elijah with Denzel Washington. No cars, water is scarce, and people are not taught to read.
ReplyDelete