Welcome to Awakenings

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?

Tiny_StarFuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.
Tiny_StarThe average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
Tiny_StarOnly 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Tiny_StarOnly 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
Tiny_StarThere were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
Tiny_StarThe maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Tiny_StarThe tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
Tiny_StarThe average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
Tiny_StarThe average  US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.

Tiny_StarA 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.
Tiny_StarMore than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Tiny_StarNinety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Tiny_StarInstead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the
government as 'substandard.'
Tiny_StarSugar cost four cents a pound.
Tiny_StarEggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Tiny_StarCoffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Tiny_StarMost women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Tiny_StarThere was no such thing as under arm deodorant or tooth paste.
Tiny_StarCanada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
Tiny_StarThe five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
Tiny_StarThe American flag had 45 stars.
Tiny_StarThe population of  Las Vegas  Nevada was only 30!
Tiny_StarCrossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.
Tiny_StarThere was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Tiny_StarTwo out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Tiny_StarEighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
Tiny_StarThere were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE  USA!
Tiny_StarI am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself.
Tiny_StarFrom there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD...all in a matter of seconds!


Tiny_StarTiny_Star
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

Tiny_StarTiny_Star


4 comments:

  1. I had tons of fun reading your blog, Sharla!! Thanks for sharing this! You're such a great writer!! :-)

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  2. 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.

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