100 Years Ago in the US

The year is 1917 "One hundred years ago." Anniversary of WW 1 - What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1917:

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 $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.

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.

Two 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!" (Shocking?)

            

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. !

            

Without retyping, this message will be forwarded to others in a matter of seconds... IF you are old enough to appreciate that marvel, you will agree that it's impossible to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years! 

Source: Dick Anderson

Comments

The US population in 1917 was 103.3 million. The Industrial Revolution and the settling of the West had just ended. Literacy was high due to homeschooling and all education was self-education

US drinking water was being treated with chlorine to end cholera and typhoid. Electricity, telephones and radios were being added to homes.

The top US tax rate jumped from 15% to 77%. Inflation was 3%.in 1917.  US dollar inflation since 1913 has been 187.5%. You now need $1,875 to buy what cost $100 in 1913.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader