1910

What a difference a century makes. . .

Above is a photo of a 1910 Ford.
 

In 1910 ... [that is only 102 years ago] … in the United States:

• fuel (gasoline) was sold in drugstores only;
• the maximum speed limit was 10 miles per hour;
• there were only 8,000 cars nationwide; 
• there were only 144 miles of paved roads in the entire country;
• the average life expectancy was 47 years;
• only 14% of the homes had a bathtub;
• only 8% of the homes had a telephone;
• the average US hourly wage was 22 cents/hour;
• the average US laborer/blue collar worker made between $200 and $400/year;
• a topnotch accountant made up to $2,000/year;
• a dentist made about $2,500/year;
• a mechanical engineer earned about $5,000/year;
• a veterinarian earned between $1,500 and $4,000/year;
• more than 95% of babies were born at home;
• 90% of "medical doctors" had no college education, but attended "medical schools" which were condemned and considered by the government and the press as substandard;
• sugar cost 4 cents/pound;
• eggs were 14 cents/dozen;
• coffee was 15 cents/pound;
• most women washed their hair once a month only, and used egg yolks or borax as shampoo;
• the U.S. flag had 45 stars;
• the population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30;
• canned beer, iced tea, and crossword puzzles had not yet been invented;
• there was no Mother's Day or Father's Day yet;
• only 6% of all Americans graduated from high school;
• 2 out of every 10 adults could neither read nor write;
• heroin was touted by pharmacists to:
• clear the complexion;
• give buoyancy to the mind;
• regulate the bowels and the stomach;
• be a "perfect guardian of heath";
• marijuana, morphine, and heroin were all readily available over-the-counter in local drugstores;
• 18% of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help;
• there were 230 known murders in the entire USA;
• a topnotch accountant made up to $2,000/year;
• a dentist made about $2,500/year;
• a mechanical engineer earned about $5,000/year;
• a veterinarian earned between $1,500 and $4,000/year;
• more than 95% of babies were born at home;
• 90% of "medical doctors" had no college education, but attended "medical schools" which were condemned and considered by the government and the press as substandard;
• sugar cost 4 cents/pound;
• eggs were 14 cents/dozen;
• coffee was 15 cents/pound;
• most women washed their hair once a month only, and used egg yolks or borax as shampoo;
• the U.S. flag had 45 stars;
• the population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30;
• canned beer, iced tea, and crossword puzzles had not yet been invented;
• there was no Mother's Day or Father's Day yet;
• only 6% of all Americans graduated from high school;
• 2 out of every 10 adults could neither read nor write;
• heroin was touted by pharmacists to:  

1. clear the complexion;
2. give buoyancy to the mind;
3. regulate the bowels and the stomach;
4. be a "perfect guardian of heath";

• marijuana, morphine, and heroin were all readily available over-the-counter in local drugstores;
• 18% of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help;
• there were 230 known murders in the entire USA;
• the 5 leading causes of:

1. death were: 
2. influenza and pneumonia;
3. tuberculosis;
4. diarrhea;
5. heart disease;
6. stroke.

In 1910 …

• poor people were not allowed to enter or immigrate to Canada;
• the tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

Author/Source Unknown