The year 1914

The year 1914 – a time when the world bore little resemblance to the bustling, technologically advanced place it is today. Let’s journey back in time and explore the astonishing differences that a century has wrought upon our lives.

The year 1914

A Century Ago…

In 1914, life was characterized by a simplicity that’s almost unimaginable today:

  • The average life expectancy for men was just 47 years, highlighting the advancements in healthcare that have since extended our lifespans.
  • Believe it or not, you could purchase car fuel at drug stores.
  • A mere 14 percent of homes boasted a bathtub, and only 8 percent had a telephone.
  • There were a scant 8,000 cars on the road, and just 144 miles of paved roads.
  • The speed limit in most cities? A leisurely 10 mph.
  • The Eiffel Tower stood tall as the world’s tallest structure.

Wages and Professions

The economic landscape of 1914 was starkly different:

  • The average wage in the U.S. was a modest 22 cents per hour.
  • Occupations saw disparate incomes, with a competent accountant earning $2,000 per year, while a mechanical engineer could expect around $5,000 per year.
  • Astonishingly, more than 95 percent of births took place at home.

Education and Healthcare

Education and healthcare had their own set of peculiarities:

  • Startlingly, 90 percent of doctors had no formal college education and attended questionable medical schools.
  • Sugar cost just four cents a pound, while eggs and coffee were also budget-friendly.
  • Personal hygiene practices were quite different, with many women washing their hair only once a month and using Borax or egg yolks as shampoo.

Social and Cultural Differences

Society and culture also reflected the era’s distinct norms:

  • Canada had a law that barred poor people from entering the country.
  • There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
  • Only 6 percent of Americans had graduated from high school, emphasizing the rarity of higher education.
  • Surprisingly, marijuana, heroin, and morphine were available over the counter at local drugstores.

Crime and Communication

Even the nature of crime and communication had unique characteristics:

  • The U.S. reported a mere 230 murders for the entire country.
  • Today’s ubiquitous technologies, like the internet and smartphones, were still far from conception.

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