Britain in the

The 1930’s was a decade when people experienced hardship after the more prosperous 1920’s.

As people discovered more about science there were new inventions such as the radio. Most households had one radio and families would gather around the big “console” in their living rooms, sometimes spending hours listening to variety and comedy shows.

In the 1930’s food was cheap and more and more houses had electric power. People also benefitted from cheap motor transport.

Some people in Britain lived in towns and villages and in new suburban ‘semi’s. Other people in lived in growing cities.

There were new factories in Britain where workers assembled cars and planes. These new buildings were made out of glass and concrete.

The 1930’s was a decade when the steam-driven industries of the Victorian era such as coal, steel, shipbuilding and textiles became less profitable and other factories (like Woolworth’s) were more popular.

More and more people owned cars and people were excited by new advances in aviation.

In 1930, Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 19.5 days.

In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic in 15 hours and 18 minutes.

In 1936, a world altitude record of m was set saw a world record for non-stop distance flying of km, the first flight over Everest and the first around the world solo flight.

Throughout the 1930’s the United States shared their new inventions with the rest of the world. Clarence J. Birdseye Clarence J. Birdseye discovered “quick-freezing” and a new convenience food called ‘frozen peas’ were enjoyed! Wallace Carothers Wallace Carothers, a chemist, invented a new artificial fibre known as nylon. It was first used for women’s stockings.

In 1926, the BBC was established as a public corporation and 2 million radio licenses were issued. By 1939 this figure more than quadrupled and 34 million people could hear a radio. Popular programmes were variety, dance music and sport.

During the 1930’s a new style of popular music called “swing” became popular. Big bands filled dance halls with new dances and sounds.

The cinema became even more popular.

In the 1930’s having a “smart appearance” was in fashion. Men wore jackets and hats, scarves and cloth caps.

Fashions were tailored, close fitting clothes were made to give a slim, elegant line. High street chain stores made inexpensive, mass-produced clothes so that more people could afford them. People also had hand made clothes. Women wore hats and gloves and changed their clothes for morning, afternoon and evening as well as for town and country wear.

Designers had a challenge with new materials such as chrome, or rayon. These were the first artificial fibres. New household appliances were designed because of the new electric inventions.

People listened to radio broadcasts and cinema newsreels to get information.

Cricket, football and boxing were popular sports People did the football “pools” for entertainment and to try to win money.

How was life in the 1930’s different to life today? How do you think the 1930’s were similar to the 2010’s?

Click on the images to find links to websites that could help you find out!