Urban Modernism and Consumerism

New Entertainment

Hero Worship

Radio

Movies

-KDKA sent out the first commercial radio broadcast with the result of the presidential election of 1920

-first silent movie produced by Thomas Edison called the Train Robbery

• Adoration for a hero or a person regarded as a hero.

-60% of American families owned a radio by the end of the 1920's

-popular because they were seen as a way for Americans to escape the problems they were facing in real life

-united American families across the country by tuning them all in to the same news at the same time

-silent movies accompanied by live music

-caused tensions between modern and old American

-post war economy hike- many Americans had money to spend on leisure activities

-movies remained in high demand even through Great Depression

Babe Ruth

Charles Lindbergh

Charlie Chaplin

- famous 1920's motion picture actor, director, producer, and writer

-built his own movie studio and began producing short feature length films

-produced movies that were relatable in the Great Depression along with comedies that were entertaining for the crowd

Appliances and Inventions

An American professional baseball outfielder and pitcher who played 22 seasons in MLB. He established multiple batting records and was one of the first five players to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

An American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist. He rose to fame as a result of his Orteig Prize-winning solo non-stop flight on May 20-21, 1927, making him the first person in history to be in New York one day and Paris the next. He was not only a U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve officer, but awarded the Medal of Honor for this exploit.

-many household conveniences produced such as toasters, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, waffle irons, refrigerators, and electric sewing machines

-saved time for those who could afford it

-practical in the middle class for those who wanted to save time but didn't have servants

Consumerism

Post Civil War: End of agricultural economy

1860-1900: Industrial Boom & Urban Migration

1900-1920: Industrial-based economy

1920: Consumer-based society

Automobiles

Fads/ Recreational Activities

- Henry Ford & Ford Motor Company

- Vanadium Steel Discovery

- "Tin Lizzie", "Flivver"

- "A vision to create a car that was

simple, affordable, and versatile--

A car for the great multitude"

- 15 Million by 1927

- Federal Highway Act 1921

- Gas stations & motels

1. Increasing leisure time

2. Entertainment

3. Advertising

4. Instant Gratification

5. "Buy now, pay later"

Advertising

• hired movie stars and sports figures to persuade Americans to buy all types of products
• Coffee, tobacco, food, household products and drinks

• gain their attention and support

National Media

• Equal rights for woman and the right to vote

• spending extra money on fun things

H.L. Mencken

• Radio vs. Print
• Ad Revenue
• Commercial
• Radio Programs
• Tabloid Papers
• Newspaper Chains

Urban Modernism and Consumerism

An educated American journalist, essayist, magazine editor, and a critic of American life and culture. He is regarded as one of the most influential American writers of the first half of the twentieth century, serving important roles in major newspaper companies.

Kelsey McCarthy

Grace Mogren

Renee Vartabedian

Claudia Curry

Urban Modernism & Consumerism