Figure 1.--The economy was booming during the Roaring Twenties which was a period of unprecedented prosperity. Here a large group of people wait to board a bus in Chicago around 1925. i ecall my mon expalininging how she walked several miles a day because she did not have nickle (5 cents) for the bus fare.

The inter-War Era was sparated by two decades that could not be more different. The Roaring 20s of the 1920s and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Much more has bee written about the Great Depression than the Roaring 20s. This means in aan era where there is concern about slow growth, a decade with one of the most impressive and vigoros record of growth and expansion is largely ignored, if not vilified. What is most celebrated in popular culture is big cars, the Charleston, short skirts, Hollywood, prohibition, and gangsters,but actually there were enormous econpmic advances. One economist identifies it as 'the first truly modern decade'. Dramatic economic developments occurred during the decade which propelled industry forward as never before. Agriculture suffered, but it was a stunning decade for industry. Not only did established industries expand, but important new industries appeared almost instanenously after the War. Barnstorming led to an importanntnew industry. Aviation emerged from the War as an exciting new industry in which America led the world. Work by the World War I beligerants on wirelesscommunicatuin for milirary purpses opened the way for a whole new modern industry--commercial radio. This was part of two widespread and very important developoments. First, rapidly expanding electric generating and utility networks led to new development consumer labor saving home appliances and of lighting as well as heating appraoches for bith homes and undustry. This was a trend dengun un thev1910s, but exploded in the Roaring Twentikes. Second, commercial radio and to a lesser extent the movies began to end rural isolation. Here another factor wa both local and long-distance telephoning, although here it was more of a New Deal achievement in the 1930s. One of the most important development was the adoption of the automobile ass part of the American life style. And Americans did not just want basic black Tin Lizzies. They wanted style and peformance and the Big Three in Detrout gave them just that. And Amerucan cities began to change Suburbs had been growing even in the late-19th century. But they were tied to rail or trolley lines. The aitomobile opened vast new areas to suburban develooment. And America began to build highways with improved surfaces to meet the needs of both car and increasingly important truck owners. Recreation also began to change and become an imporant part of the economy. Traveling during summer vacations, Hollywood movies, and professional sports became to shifted from minor activiries to important industries. And the headline grabbing personages reflected these changes, not obly movie stats but people like Babe Ruth--the Sultan of Swat and Charles Lindbergh--the Lone Eagle. Other important changes were innovations in business organization and manufacturing technology. The Federal Reserve System created in 1913 began tomplay an increasingly imprtant role. The United States was an important economic force before Wirld War I, but in the 20s powered to a dominant position in international trade and global industry.

Created: 5:23 PM 8/7/2020
Last updated: 5:23 PM 8/7/2020