How is Popular Culture in the 1920s Different than the Previous Decade?
The previous decade was full of intense reforms and progressivism. After World War I was concluded, America had become restless and the youth generation rebelling against the norms of society.
The increase in wages and increase in leisure time has led to popular cultures and entertainment to dramatically increase during this decade. Overall, a sense of prosperity was established.
The increase in wages and increase in leisure time has led to popular cultures and entertainment to dramatically increase during this decade. Overall, a sense of prosperity was established.
The Automobile
With the development of Henry Ford's Model-T car with a combustible engine, the Twenties were an integral time of improved transportation and boosted economy. The automobile was a way for the youth to express their rebellious attitude. In addition to this, families can drive to distant parts of the country and automobiles play an important role in commuting to work.
Along with the transportation upgrade, the invention of the automobile also triggered a new industry that created new jobs. From automobile assembly to fueling stations, the influx of jobs and industrialization in America has made the country a powerhouse.
Henry Ford had also developed the idea of the assembly line. This allowed for increased efficiency in production and introduced mass production.
Along with the transportation upgrade, the invention of the automobile also triggered a new industry that created new jobs. From automobile assembly to fueling stations, the influx of jobs and industrialization in America has made the country a powerhouse.
Henry Ford had also developed the idea of the assembly line. This allowed for increased efficiency in production and introduced mass production.
Radio and Movies
The radio rose to fame during this time period as the news and entertainment were in high demand. In 1926, NBC was founded, and CBS followed a year after, both of the stations reported on the news. The radio was a way to distribute information and ideas to the nation. This form of mass media, in return, united the nation and increased connectivity.
The movies were the most popular forms of leisure for the Americans during the 1920s. Stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, and Gloria Swanson arose from this decade. In 1927, movies began to incorporate sound into films. The first example of this is The Jazz Singers. Immediately following this accomplishment was the first animated sound film, the iconic Steamboat Willy.
The movies were the most popular forms of leisure for the Americans during the 1920s. Stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, and Gloria Swanson arose from this decade. In 1927, movies began to incorporate sound into films. The first example of this is The Jazz Singers. Immediately following this accomplishment was the first animated sound film, the iconic Steamboat Willy.
The Airplane
During World War I, the airplane was utilized but was frowned upon as it was faulty and did more harm than good, so it was discarded. In the 20s, however, the airplane gained popularity as a form of entertainment and transportation.
Carnivals and fairs instilled airplanes into their acts as people would dance the Charleston on top of the airplane and perform tricks. This in turn entertained the audience of people with increased leisure time during the Roaring Twenties.
Air-mail was also possible with the airplane. This was a means to transport mail via the airplane, creating a faster means of transportating mail. People would also fly airplanes to reach farther places just like the automobile. As this method was gaining popularity, even the upper-middle class could afford plane flights.
Charles A. Lindbergh was a hero that arose from the Wright Brother's invention. He was the first person to fly a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Lindbergh had gained international fame and was honored in many countries. Nicknames such as "Lucky Lindy" emphasized his imact on the airplane period.
Carnivals and fairs instilled airplanes into their acts as people would dance the Charleston on top of the airplane and perform tricks. This in turn entertained the audience of people with increased leisure time during the Roaring Twenties.
Air-mail was also possible with the airplane. This was a means to transport mail via the airplane, creating a faster means of transportating mail. People would also fly airplanes to reach farther places just like the automobile. As this method was gaining popularity, even the upper-middle class could afford plane flights.
Charles A. Lindbergh was a hero that arose from the Wright Brother's invention. He was the first person to fly a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Lindbergh had gained international fame and was honored in many countries. Nicknames such as "Lucky Lindy" emphasized his imact on the airplane period.
Advertisements
The purpose of advertising had changed dramatically since the Progressive Era. It changed from announcing the existence of a product to persuading a potential customer that they needed and deserved the product. Product loyalty and consumerism arose from this era.
General circulation magazines dropped the themes of reform from the Progressive Era and adopted consumerism into their themes. Ladies' Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post were a must in homes at this time and was a result of the change in their themes.
Coca-cola serves as a prime example in advertisement change. In the 1880s, this soda was advertised as a "medicine" to cure headaches. In the Roaring Twenties, however, it was advertised as a "fun food" and pulled more customers in.
General circulation magazines dropped the themes of reform from the Progressive Era and adopted consumerism into their themes. Ladies' Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post were a must in homes at this time and was a result of the change in their themes.
Coca-cola serves as a prime example in advertisement change. In the 1880s, this soda was advertised as a "medicine" to cure headaches. In the Roaring Twenties, however, it was advertised as a "fun food" and pulled more customers in.
Professional Sports
The previous topics discussed led way to the growing popularity of professional sports. From the presense of sports pages in daily newspapers to the popularity of radio broadcasts for sports, sports were a popular pasttime for the Americans in the 1920s. Newspapers gave the people a relief that they needed after the war. Athletes became heroes and were from various sports. For example, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in baseball, Red Grange in football, Helen Wills in tennis, Jack Dempsey in Boxing, and Gertrude Ederle in swimming became commonplace names in America.
Vocabulary
Prosperity - a successful, thriving condition
Mass Production - the means of production or manufacture of goods in large quantities (esp. by machinery)
Mass Media - any means of communication reaching a large populus of people
Consumerism - protection of the consumers from misleading or dangerous products
Mass Production - the means of production or manufacture of goods in large quantities (esp. by machinery)
Mass Media - any means of communication reaching a large populus of people
Consumerism - protection of the consumers from misleading or dangerous products
Using the Past
The popular culture from the 1920s has still been present in society today. From the advertisement appeal to the popularity of professional sports, the 1920s has contributed to the American life greatly. This was all due to the increased leisure time and increased economy that has held its place after World War I and World War II that allows Americans to explore the popular culture still known today.
APPARTS Analysis
Author: Underwood Typewriter Company
Place and Time: The Underwood Headquarters were in New York City, NY and the Number 5 typewriter was built in 1900
Prior Knowledge: The usefulness of advertisements during the 1920s were not exaggerated as the No. 5 Underwood sold two million units in 1920 through the "modern" use of advertisements
Audience: The general population; mainly the consumers
Reason: The purpose of this advertisement was to sell the typewriter to the consumer population.
The Main Idea: In the 1920s, advertisements had changed their tactics on selling products from informing people that the product exists to appealing to the consumer's pathos. With the five reasons to buy Underwood's No. 5 Typewriter, it was a success.
Significance: This is a very important source that highlights the era of advertisements in America. It set a template for future advertisements as to how to sell the product to the consumer.
Place and Time: The Underwood Headquarters were in New York City, NY and the Number 5 typewriter was built in 1900
Prior Knowledge: The usefulness of advertisements during the 1920s were not exaggerated as the No. 5 Underwood sold two million units in 1920 through the "modern" use of advertisements
Audience: The general population; mainly the consumers
Reason: The purpose of this advertisement was to sell the typewriter to the consumer population.
The Main Idea: In the 1920s, advertisements had changed their tactics on selling products from informing people that the product exists to appealing to the consumer's pathos. With the five reasons to buy Underwood's No. 5 Typewriter, it was a success.
Significance: This is a very important source that highlights the era of advertisements in America. It set a template for future advertisements as to how to sell the product to the consumer.