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The 1910s marked a critical point in modern economic history. In the 1900s decade, American and European were not all that different. Land transport at the turn of the 20 century was primarily trains for long distance travel and horse for shirt distances. Automobiles existed, but they were primarily play things for the rich and well-to-do. America had the largest industrial base in the world, but was not greatly larger than the other major industrial powers like Britain and Germany. And even though American workers earned more than European workers, American manufacturers were out competing European countries, These higher wages was the greatest factor driving European emigration to America. It was at this time that Henry Ford introduced the Model-T Ford. It was very basic car, but could be purchased by workers and farmers. It introduced an industrial boom that propelled American industry to unprecedented levels. And the United States not only hugely surpassed major European industrial nations, but began to approach the industrial production of all of Europe. This development would have a powerful impact on the history of the 20th century. But it also affected life styles. European workers could not afford cars. Workers if they had some success might bicycle to work. American workers drove to work. Children were also affected. More than any other country American children had conveyances like bikes and trikes. There were a variety of these conveyances, including Irish mails, scooters and during winter sleds. Here there were gender differences. Based on the phtographic record, boys were more likely to have them than girls, but more American girls enjoyed them than girls in any other country. We are not sure about the gender disparity, but we suspect that it was because boys were more interested in them.
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