Awakenings from Then ’til Now allows you to Embrace Your Past, Empower the Present, Enrich Your Future.
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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.
Friday, June 14, 2013
The Ford and the Year 1910
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.
The average life expectancy for men 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 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!
Try to imagine what it may be like in
another 100 years.
I 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.
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