Popular Culture
Following the Great War, America was going through major changes in the 1920s. As different ideas on life began to clash, major changes in the culture was the outcome. All throughout popular culture, there were noticeable changes that would affect the future of America. Technology for one was greatly improving from the past, with the growing popularity of automobiles and introduction of the airplane. These new means of transportation meant that people could be more connected with areas further away, because the possibility of easier travel was now open. Also improving connection was the increase in radio and movies. These forms of entertainment influential in how people talked, what their interests included, and how informed they were. Also, businesses knew that this age was full of distraction and competition. Thus, advertising was also another way grabbing the people’s attention. The combination of transportation and advertisement meant many more people had the opportunity to get out and enjoy watching sports. These were things that had never occurred in the past.
Vocabulary:
Mass media- any of the means of communication, as television or newspapers, that reach very large numbers of people.
Consumerism- the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy; a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing
Prosperity- a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, especially in financial respects; good fortune
Mass Production- the production or manufacture of goods in large quantities, especially by machinery
Mass media- any of the means of communication, as television or newspapers, that reach very large numbers of people.
Consumerism- the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy; a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing
Prosperity- a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, especially in financial respects; good fortune
Mass Production- the production or manufacture of goods in large quantities, especially by machinery
Thinking Like a historian
Change and Continuity:
What has changed? The life during the Roaring Twenties was vastly different from life of years prior. Freespoken people started to come forward, and some invented modern devices that we still use, even today. The previous focus had been on working and earning money, but with the changes in inventions and popular culture in general, the whole decade was one big change.
What has remained the same? Though the image of the working man was not always clear in the Roaring Twenties, many tried to keep up the image and importance of working man, even though the times made everyone more relaxed and free.
Who has benefited from this change? The entire nation of America, or most of all people could agree that everyone benefited in some way the change that swept the nation in the 20's. The general public benefited from new means of transportation that they could then afford, and the impact of advertising, automobiles, radio and movies, the airplane invention, and sports.
Who has not benefited? And why? The least beneficial would have been to the poor because though there was an incline in the transportation via automobile and airplane, that didn't mean everyone could afford those means of travel. While most of the country was relaxed and not working as hard or as tightly wound as in previous years, poorer people could take more jobs, even when most people were steadily declining their time spent working hard, most people just wanted to have fun, but many poor people had to survive.
What has changed? The life during the Roaring Twenties was vastly different from life of years prior. Freespoken people started to come forward, and some invented modern devices that we still use, even today. The previous focus had been on working and earning money, but with the changes in inventions and popular culture in general, the whole decade was one big change.
What has remained the same? Though the image of the working man was not always clear in the Roaring Twenties, many tried to keep up the image and importance of working man, even though the times made everyone more relaxed and free.
Who has benefited from this change? The entire nation of America, or most of all people could agree that everyone benefited in some way the change that swept the nation in the 20's. The general public benefited from new means of transportation that they could then afford, and the impact of advertising, automobiles, radio and movies, the airplane invention, and sports.
Who has not benefited? And why? The least beneficial would have been to the poor because though there was an incline in the transportation via automobile and airplane, that didn't mean everyone could afford those means of travel. While most of the country was relaxed and not working as hard or as tightly wound as in previous years, poorer people could take more jobs, even when most people were steadily declining their time spent working hard, most people just wanted to have fun, but many poor people had to survive.
Advertising
As goods were more readily available due to attainable transportation and mass production, the amount of products to be sold in the 20’s needed a major push. At the same time, the increase in types of products began to create competition in industry. To set themselves apart, businesses now needed to advertise through persuasion. By developing brand loyalty through repeat customers, a business was likely to succeed in amount sold. Also, the muckraking journals went out of style when people in the 20’s grew bored of reform. For the business owners, this was beneficial, because the articles reflected poorly upon them. By limiting any negative publicity, the businesses could focus on their product in a positive light and make a profit.
Automobiles
The lives of Americans were changed for the better with the invention of the automobile by Henry Ford. Among other reasons, it improved transportation and gave America a boost into the prosperity the 20’s were often known for. It was especially exciting for the younger people of America who wanted freedom and excitement with the invention of the automobile. Quickly, cars were integrated into society, and soon nearly every household in America had an automobile. Automobiles became a way to transport to work every day, visit friends and family who lived far away, and a new way in general for people to have fun. The new demand for the automobiles also helped to generously increase economy, because production of automobiles was in such demand, the production of cars became a new industry in America. It created more jobs, more revenue, and improved the economy of America. Because roads were not always able to be traveled over due to poor conditions, road construction also became a new way to provide many jobs to people.
Radio & Movies
As technology of the 20’s improved, the means of communication and entertainment improved as well. One of the biggest developments of the time was the radio which would provide an easy and inexpensive way to convey ideas and information. The clarity had been improved from radios of the past which helped the country interact and come together as a whole. Filming movies also grew in popularity, especially on the West Coast in Hollywood. They had become large investments with the possibility of a great payoff. The difference was that films were becoming longer and more polished. Very entertaining, production of major movies stayed in the hand of major studios with emphasis on directors and contracted “stars”.
Airplane
December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers came up with an invention that astounded everyone. The airplane amazed the poor, rich, and especially the middle class. Because of the dangers, flying was not a hot commodity at first, but once it was modified and twisted, it was able to become one of the greatest inventions of the 1920’s. The decade before prior to the 20’s, airplanes were used for warfare and attacks during WWI but in the beginning, the airplane lacked stability and control and so it was not a popular weapon, it was even tossed aside as impractical. After WWI, during the 20’s the invention of the airplane started to pick up once again, and people would go to carnivals and fairs to see pilots doing various tricks and stunts in the air; these stunts at local carnivals became common across America. The introduction of the idea of Air-Mail had a big impact on America, for airplanes to transport mail quickly, to receive letters in a few days rather than a few weeks. As the transportation of mail become more popular, airplanes did as well and more industries began using the airplane for means of transportation, and it quickly became one of the most important inventions and part of American business in the 20’s. Though not as quickly caught on, the airplane did catch on eventually. Introduced was an American hero, Charles A. Lindbergh, and he crossed the Atlantic Ocean by himself in an airplane. This was astounding to America, and airplanes became a big success, with more dependence and opportunities for air fare.
"Golden age of Sports"
The 1920’s became known as the “Golden Age of Sports”, mostly because of the rise of baseball as a national pastime for many Americans. The popularity of baseball was steadily increasing; new ballparks were being built, the game was transformed, sports pages recording baseball emerged in newspapers everywhere, and also the broad popularity of baseball games broadcast over the radio for people to listen to. The Yankees were a popular team in baseball and Babe Ruth ruled the world of baseball while setting records. Also gaining popularity since the mid 1800's was soccer, and the 20s gave an even bigger boost into soccer, with the growth of radio. Wanting to put the memory of the Great War behind them and enjoy life, the was provided an economic boom for the U.S. and automobile and airplane became means of transportation and since there were so many new modern devices, more free time was held by people, and their attention was often turned to sports.
Apparts - Ford Advertisement
Author- Ford Motor Company- company developing the first wide spread automobile for sale.
Place and Time- The Youth's Companion and American Boy in May and June of 1924. Appears through out America.
Prior Knowledge- During this time, a large aspect of business is the amount of advertising that goes into a product. The automobile was a new invention. Everyone wanted to have one, and they were being sold at an affordable rate. To increase amount of people interested, businesses wanted to widen their customers.
Audience-The intended audience is American through out. Specifically targeted in this add is the young business man.
Reason-This was intended to advertise the new and sought after product. It would change transportation and open people up to new opportunity for a reasonable cost.
Main Idea-This is the perfect product for a boy looking to go far in life. It reduces travel time and widens options of where to travel. Anyone interested should by a Ford Car.
Place and Time- The Youth's Companion and American Boy in May and June of 1924. Appears through out America.
Prior Knowledge- During this time, a large aspect of business is the amount of advertising that goes into a product. The automobile was a new invention. Everyone wanted to have one, and they were being sold at an affordable rate. To increase amount of people interested, businesses wanted to widen their customers.
Audience-The intended audience is American through out. Specifically targeted in this add is the young business man.
Reason-This was intended to advertise the new and sought after product. It would change transportation and open people up to new opportunity for a reasonable cost.
Main Idea-This is the perfect product for a boy looking to go far in life. It reduces travel time and widens options of where to travel. Anyone interested should by a Ford Car.