1. Life in the Early 20th Century
Background and context for Our Town

2. Technology The U.S. becomes a leader in industry and invention.
New technologies included: electricity, flight, gasoline engines, etc.
However, these aren’t available to everyone for a while
Automation changed agriculture practices.
More foods could be preserved and served out of season.
Technology changed the way people got around, too.

3. Transportation Early in the 20th century, horses are still used
For long trips, trains are used
As the century progresses, other ways of getting around are created:
Automobiles
Electric railways
Airplanes

4. Work Life New technologies brought changes to the workplace
Henry Ford introduced moving assembly lines
Gas- and electric-powered machines sped up labor
Good working conditions became more important.
The idea of Saturday as a day off and a national weekend became more accepted and common

5. Entertainment People able to buy more
Radio—information and entertainment
Driving for fun
Sports (baseball and football popular)
Outdoor music
Drug stores and Ice-cream parlors

6. Home Life New technology began improving home life as well.
Washing machines
Vacuum cleaners
Early central heating
However, not everyone had these newer things.
In the early 1900s, most homes still used kerosene and an outhouse, for instance.
People started buying some things from department stores and catalogs
Women were the main consumers, as they had been making these products before

7. New England Towns
Three in five Americans lived in a town having a population of less than 2,500
Large immigrant populations coming in to the country
People expected to be honest, hard working, God fearing

8. Small Town Life
Milkmen, ice men (summer), mailmen, and garbage men went from house to house on a daily basis.
Doctors and dentists made house calls
Social stigma for those who gambled or drank
Gossip was a form of social control

9. Daily Life for Men Men were head of the household and society
Before the “weekend” was popularized, most men worked six days a week.
Daily hours usually between hours
Weekly pay would be around $12

10. Daily Life for Women
Most states forbade women to have property in their own name
More women were finding work outside of their homes
Most still stayed at home, however.
They were responsible for cooking, cleaning, childcare, etc.
New technology and buying pre- made goods did allow for some leisure time.

11. Mortality Life expectancy for white Americans was 48 years
Life expectancy was 33 years for African Americans
In 1900 there was a fifty-fifty chance that a family of four would have a child die before the age of 5.