Popular Culture of the 1920s
Essential Question: How is popular culture in the 20's different that the previous decade?
The 1920's was a great shift in American culture. From advertising, movies and film production, automobiles and planes, radios and new music, and shifts in the lives of Americans. The 1920's was the largest turning point from the old age to the new age.
Vocabulary
Mass Media- any of the means of communication, as television or newspapers, that reach very large numbers of people.
Consumerism- The theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable; also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods. Its suits the interests of the consumers.
Prosperity- The state of being prosperous, successful, and wealth.
Mass Production- Production of large quantities of something. Assembly line. It produces more in less time.
Consumerism- The theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable; also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods. Its suits the interests of the consumers.
Prosperity- The state of being prosperous, successful, and wealth.
Mass Production- Production of large quantities of something. Assembly line. It produces more in less time.
Key Concepts-
- How did the automobile change life in the 20's?
- What was the impact of radio and movies on life in the 20's?
- How did the airplane change society in the 20's and what impact did Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic have on society?
- How did advertising change how things were sold in the 1920's?
- Why were the 1920's known as the "Golden Age of Sports?
Advertising
Today's advertisements trace its origins back to the industrial expansion starting in the 1880's. With the explosion of mass production, lowered prices, and a soaring economy, items were more available and common for people. People were able to purchase more. Transportation helped to aid in the national markets and delivering productions nationwide. Before the first World War, advertising had been limited and was simply announced. No publications, billboards, or commercials aided in advertisement. After the war, Advertisement changed. Printings in magazines because less expensive and magazines focused more on advertising than reforms during the Progressive era. Companies published advertisement pages in magazines and newspapers nationwide and attracted a fairly large audience. The increase in audience helped in mass production. Eventually in the 20's, companies turned to celebrities to promote their products for sale. Companies also placed more emphasis on products being sold and used propaganda to make a larger profit. In the 1920's, the consumption rate of America skyrocketed. People were now able to get their hand on products and were intrigued by the various advertisements.
Coca-Cola®
Coca-Cola was one company that drastically their advertising in 40 years.
Automobiles
The 1920's brought one of the most important inventions that changed the lives of Americans- the automobile. The first automobile company, Ford Motor Company, was founded by the famous Henry Ford. Ford invented the first affordable and easily accessible car, the Model-T. Ford's Model-T was the second automobile invented after Dudgeon's steam engine automobile. The invention of the Model-T influenced the transportation industry. Automobiles helped both industries and other Americas. In industry, the automobile has helped create mass production of these vehicles. More jobs were created. Automobiles have also helped other Americans because it improved transportation. People were able to move further from the central city. Young people found excitement and adventure in the automobiles. Nearly every family owned an automobile. The automobile sparked the economy because it brought in revenue and jobs. The automobile was one of the most influential and most important invention created in the 1920's. It helped both the economy and the lives of Americans.
Airplane
Airplanes prior to the 1920's:
- December 17th, 1903- The Wright brothers were the first men to fly an airplane.
- First airplanes were not the safest.
- Intrigued all kinds of people. Both poor and rich.
- Airplanes using in World War I for attacks and reconnaissance.
- Used in shows and stunts.
Airplanes during the 1920's:
- Air-Mail: Easily transported mail much quicker.
- Airplanes used for business
- Transportation for people. Although, it was fairly costly so only the upper-class was actually able to experience flights.
- Charles Lindbergh- First crossed the Atlantic Ocean by himself in and airplane. Eventually developed into international flights. Cut travel across seas to much less time.
- The Air-plane was also one of the most famous inventions during the 20's although it did not caught on as strongly as the automobile or radio.
Radio
Radios became a large hit in the 1920's. With technological improvements the original 1897 radio became a large craze during this time period. Radios improved in sound clarity and radio stations were formed. The first public radio broadcasting station was opened in Pittsburgh in 1922. More and more radio stations popped up as thousands of listeners gathered around the radio every night. Radio became a mass market.
Radios were a very convenient way of gathering news, information, and ideas. Radios at first only focused on news and world affair. Within a few years, the radio expanded to include information regarding concerts, sermons, and other interesting events. How influential was the radio? Besides the automobile, the radios was also one of the most important inventions created during the 20's. Not only was it a means of entertainment and leisure time, but it brought America together and further advanced communication.
Movies
Early movie productions took place in by Paramount in Astoria on Long Island and others took place in New Jersey. During the 1920's, however, the West Coast became the hot spot of film productions. Hollywood became the show of film. Most films now filmed in Hollywood.
Films became a major source of entertainment. Films exploded the nation in the 1920's. The 20's was one of the largest decades in movie-making. Over 800 films were made per year. Films were also more pronounced and had better quality. Sound, lighting, the cast, and the crew were able to generate old films to be more entertaining and well done. Movies were better polishing. Crews were also better organized to put together better production. Movie dramas included documentaries, swashbucklers, historical extravaganzas, and melodramas. Other genres included comedies, romances, and mysteries. People were fascinated by the filming industry. Hollywood was the source of the film-making industry. Film-production was big business for America.
Sports
Sports flourished during the 20's. The increase in popularity was due to both publicity and promotion. Media helped promote sports. Some of the most popular sports included baseball, tennis, golf, swimming, and boxing. Sports became very popularized during the 1920's. Baseball became a huge legend. It was the most popular sport during the 20's. Babe Ruth was the most famous baseball play and the Yankee stadium is one of America's oldest baseball field.
Other Aspects of Pop Culture
Fashion- Flapper style of clothing. Clothing was less stuffy. It was more comfortable.
Toys- Toys include Teddy Bears, Velocipedes, Tinker Toys, Gyroscopes, and Magic Lanterns.
Homes- Various designs in self-built home. More uniqueness and much larger.
Music- Jazz was the most popular music of the era. This became known as the Jazz age. Duke Ellington and Al Jolson were some of the best known jazz musicians. The most popular dance of the time was known as the Charleston.
Toys- Toys include Teddy Bears, Velocipedes, Tinker Toys, Gyroscopes, and Magic Lanterns.
Homes- Various designs in self-built home. More uniqueness and much larger.
Music- Jazz was the most popular music of the era. This became known as the Jazz age. Duke Ellington and Al Jolson were some of the best known jazz musicians. The most popular dance of the time was known as the Charleston.
Old Culture
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New Culture
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Summary
Culture in the 1920's shifted from folk culture to popular culture. Advances in technology, communication, knowledge, and ability created a new culture. Local culture shifted to more of a mass culture. America was leaving its past culture and becoming more modernized. Many of today's knowledge and technology such as radios and automobiles. America was advancing from its past.
- How did the automobile change life in the 20's? The automobile changed American life because it sparked the economy, increased production, improved industry, expanded cities, and improved American life altogether. It created jobs which lowered unemployment and helped the economy. Mass productions of the automobiles occurred. During the 20's, nearly every American family owned an automobile and moved further from the city. Thanks to Henry Ford, the automobile changed America.
- What was the impact of radio and movies on life in the 20's? Radios and movies improved communication. People gained knowledge on what was occurring in America. People received news from radios and understood more about life through movies. Documentaries also helped improve American knowledge.
- How did the airplane change society in the 20's and what impact did Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic have on society? Airplanes improved transportation and mail. Mail was sent quicker. The airplane also showed just how advanced America was becoming,.
- How did advertising change how things were sold in the 1920's? Advertising increased production. Consumption rates increased because people had better access to them. People saw things in advertisements in magazines, newspapers, and on the radio. The more people saw, the more people wanted to buy them.
- Why were the 1920's known as the "Golden Age of Sports? The 1920's was the explosion of sports because of further advances in techniques and advertising. Science was used to increase ability in sports. Baseball became and American hit. Sports became a big part in American culture and it still is today.