America began a new era in its history between 1895 and 1917 known as the Progressive Era. There was a new wave of social, political and economic variations. Looking back 100 years to 1910, you can see major transformations in America, many of which had their birth during the Progressive Era. With the comparison of prices, structures, health and people over the last 100 years, we can only speculate the wonders and major changes in store for America over the next 100 years.
The following are 25 examples of items as they were in 1910 and as they are now.
There were 45 states in the U. S. in 1910 and in 2010 there are 50 states.
Purchasing a dozen eggs in 1910 cost 34 cents and in 2010 a dozen eggs cost $1.82.
The tallest man made structure in the world in 1910 was the Eiffel Tower, at 1,063 feet tall. In 2010 it is the Burj Khalifa building, at 2,727 feet tall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
First-Class stamps were 2 cents in 1910, and in 2010 they are 44 cents.
In America in 1910 there were 6.4 million farms and in 2010 were are only about 2 million farms.
The life expectancy in 1910 was age 47 and in 2010 it averages about age 79.
In 1910, wearing fur trim, capes or coats was the only acceptable method to dress and in 2010, it is totally unacceptable to wear real fur pieces.
Bring home a pound of bacon cost 25 cents in 1910 and now in 2010 that pound is $3.67.
In 1910 Miami had 5,500 people, in 2010 the city proper population is about 420,000 people.
A gallon of milk was 34 cents in 1910 and a gallon is $3.19 in 2010.
Age 65 and older was 11% of the U. S. population in 1910 and it is 37% in 2010.
The numbers of murders committed across America in 1910 were about 237 and in 2010 there were about 17,000 murders.
In 1910 five pounds of sugar cost 30 cents and in 2010 five pounds runs $3.20.
The speed limit in most areas was 10 to 15 m.p.h. in 1910 and now speeds average 55 to 80 m.p.h. in 2010.
Approximately 95% of babies were born at home in 1910 and in 2010 only about 5% of births are outside an hospital environment.
The U. S. population in 1910 was about 90 million and in 2010 the population is about 308 million people.
In 1910 the leading causes of death were pneumonia and influenza while in 2010 the leading two causes are cancers and heart disease.
About 100,000 vehicles were in use in 1910 and about 250 million in use in 2010 in America.
Entertainment in 1910 in the home would be someone playing a musical instrument, mostly a piano and in 2010 entertainment is from CDs, DVD movies, television, radio, Internet, and video games.
The U. S. National Debt in 1910 was $1.15 million dollars and in May 2010 the debt is $12,948,162,318,646.39.
A laborer might make about $500 to $700 a year in 1910 and a worker in 2010 averages about $15,000 to $16,000.
About 156,000 students in America graduated from high school in 1910 and in 2010 the number is 3.3 million.
The most popular baby names in 1910 were John and Mary and in 2010 the names are Emily and Jacob.
In 1910 people didn’t wash their hair but every 3 to 4 weeks and in 2010, many wash their hair daily or every other day.
Sources:
Census
American Data
Facts on America
Decade 1910
