Technological Advancements
In the 1920’s there was a rapid advancement in technology with the development of many new inventions and ideas.
During the Roaring Twenties, the automobile became increasingly popular and by the end of the decade, it had firmly established itself as the most popular form of transport. The rapidly growing automobile industry was led by the Ford Motor Company with 15 million of Henry Ford’s Model-T mass produced cars sold by 1927. By the end of the decade there was almost one car per family in the United States. New and improved models were constantly being released to meet the demands of the enuthiastic public. Roads which had been previously designed for horse transport had to be redesigned and rebuilt to accomodate for the increasing load of automobile transport. The 20's saw a great technological advancement in transportation, not just to do with automobiles but also with the introduction of news road rules and signs as well as methods of controlling traffic like traffic lights. Workers no longer needed to live near their workplaces and homemakers could run errands more easily. The overall increase in efficiency and productivity left people with more time for entertainment and recreation.
New technology allowed movies to have both sound and colour and movies became a popular form of entertainment. During the 20's, the movie industry in Hollywood grew rapidly and cinemas showing the films became more numerous too. During the decade, the industry was dominated by silent movies which featured stars such as Charlie Chaplin. The movies were mostly comedies and were made to make people laugh, after the terror of World War Two. The early silent movies were often accompanied by live piano or organ music. In 1923, the first film to contain a synchronised sound track that was photographically recorded and printed onto the side of the strip of motion picture film, was made. However it wasn't until the end of the decade until talking pictures really gained popularity and finally replaced the silent era of movies.
Another great technological advancement was the commercial radio which was invented before the 1920’s but only really took off after WW2. The commercial radio became an important part of life, providing news, entertainment and new ideas to society.The public became overcame by a radio craze and manufacturers were overwhelmed by the demand as customers queued to complete order form after dealers had run out. Between 1923 and 1930, 60% of American families purchased radios and by the end of the decade, over 10 million people owned a radio. Radio instantly became a national obcession. Families gathered around the radio for night time entertainment. Many people would stay up listening to concerts, sermons, news and sports. Those without radios gathered around crystal sets in public places. The invention of radio entertained, allowed listeners to keep up with news and events and allowed listeners to experience new ideas and opinions on matters that had never been publicised to a national degree.
Uses of airplanes apart from as a weapon in war, for example air mail was invented too. Airplanes also started performing stunts at fairs. Another new invention was the automatic vending machine which dispensed soft drink. Other inventions and technological advancements from the decade around the world include: aerosol sprays, antibiotics, colour television, frozen food, hair dryer, video phone and quartz time keeping.
During the Roaring Twenties, the automobile became increasingly popular and by the end of the decade, it had firmly established itself as the most popular form of transport. The rapidly growing automobile industry was led by the Ford Motor Company with 15 million of Henry Ford’s Model-T mass produced cars sold by 1927. By the end of the decade there was almost one car per family in the United States. New and improved models were constantly being released to meet the demands of the enuthiastic public. Roads which had been previously designed for horse transport had to be redesigned and rebuilt to accomodate for the increasing load of automobile transport. The 20's saw a great technological advancement in transportation, not just to do with automobiles but also with the introduction of news road rules and signs as well as methods of controlling traffic like traffic lights. Workers no longer needed to live near their workplaces and homemakers could run errands more easily. The overall increase in efficiency and productivity left people with more time for entertainment and recreation.
New technology allowed movies to have both sound and colour and movies became a popular form of entertainment. During the 20's, the movie industry in Hollywood grew rapidly and cinemas showing the films became more numerous too. During the decade, the industry was dominated by silent movies which featured stars such as Charlie Chaplin. The movies were mostly comedies and were made to make people laugh, after the terror of World War Two. The early silent movies were often accompanied by live piano or organ music. In 1923, the first film to contain a synchronised sound track that was photographically recorded and printed onto the side of the strip of motion picture film, was made. However it wasn't until the end of the decade until talking pictures really gained popularity and finally replaced the silent era of movies.
Another great technological advancement was the commercial radio which was invented before the 1920’s but only really took off after WW2. The commercial radio became an important part of life, providing news, entertainment and new ideas to society.The public became overcame by a radio craze and manufacturers were overwhelmed by the demand as customers queued to complete order form after dealers had run out. Between 1923 and 1930, 60% of American families purchased radios and by the end of the decade, over 10 million people owned a radio. Radio instantly became a national obcession. Families gathered around the radio for night time entertainment. Many people would stay up listening to concerts, sermons, news and sports. Those without radios gathered around crystal sets in public places. The invention of radio entertained, allowed listeners to keep up with news and events and allowed listeners to experience new ideas and opinions on matters that had never been publicised to a national degree.
Uses of airplanes apart from as a weapon in war, for example air mail was invented too. Airplanes also started performing stunts at fairs. Another new invention was the automatic vending machine which dispensed soft drink. Other inventions and technological advancements from the decade around the world include: aerosol sprays, antibiotics, colour television, frozen food, hair dryer, video phone and quartz time keeping.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Photos: linked to the websites where they are from
Information: http://www.angelfire.com/co/pscst/tech.html, http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpmech.htm, http://www.1920-30.com/, http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1920s.html
~ Karen Gan