Technological Advancements during the 1920's
The Automobile:
During the Roaring 20th, America was introduced to a brand new industrial revolution. The most important invention born during this period, that had the biggest lasting impact on American life, was the automobile. This revolutionary brand new method of transportation brought about a new system of industry, centered around assembly-line methods and mass-production techniques. By the end of the decade, there was an average of nearly one automobile per American family, and their production soon replaced the railroad industry as the key promoter of economic growth.
Henry Ford, the father of the assembly line, was more than any other man responsible for putting American on wheels. he created the cheap, rugged but reliable Model T and from the established his own immense personal empire. By the end of the 1920's the number of Model T's in the nation was 20 million.
"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently".
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it".
"Quality means doing it right when no one is looking".
-Henry Ford
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it".
"Quality means doing it right when no one is looking".
-Henry Ford
The impact of the automobile industry on american life was tremendous. It was a major reason for the nations prosperity as it bolstered the economy and made millions of jobs available. New supporting industries emerged including rubber, glass, and fabric companies . This caused the standard of living to rise to new levels. New industries began to flourish during the 1920's while old ones began to dwindle. The petroleum industry developed rapidly during this time while the railroad octopus was hit hard by the competition from automobiles. Automobiles held liberate women from their dependence on men and break down the divisions between classes. It also brought convince, pleasure,and excitement into peoples lives.
Airplanes:
- The gasoline engine provided the means required for humans to be able to fly. The world was plunged into the air age in 1903 when two bicycle repairmen made the first flight . After many failed attempts Orville and Wilbur Wright made history when they stayed airborne for 12 seconds and 120 feet on a feeble engine plane.
- After the successful use of airplanes during World War I, private companies began to operate passenger lines with airmail contracts. In 1920 the first transcontinental airmail route was established from New York to San Francisco.
- Another milestone event for aviation occurred in 1927 when Charles A. Lindbergh, amazed the world by being the first to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. He piloted a single engine plane from new York to Paris in 33 hours. His stint dramatized and popularized flying, while giving a boost to the aviation industry.
- As a result of the new means of transportation, the floundering rail road industry took another hard hit through the loss of passengers and mail. Also the world was introduced to a deadly new type of warfare. At the same time, the airplane ability to traverse oceans was making isolationism a thing of the past.
The Radio:
- Another invention born during the 1920's that transformed American Society was the Radio. Guglielmo Marconi invented the wireless telegraphy in the 1890's that was later used during World War I for long range communication. This evolved in to the voice carrying radio which broadcast live events to American households for the first time.
- The first commercial radio station went on the air in 1920 and broadcast music to a few thousand people. By the end of the decade, there were over 800 stations broadcasting to over 10 million radios
- While the earliest radio programs only were able to reach local audiences, the technological advancement during the 20's made long distance broadcasting possible. Also, advertising on the radio allowed business opportunity to reach out to the public.
- The National Broadcasting Company (NBC)in 1924 and the Colombian broadcasting System (CBS) in 1927 provided networks of radio stations that enabled people across the country to listen to news broadcasts, sporting events, political debates, soap operas and quiz shows. This not only changed the face of entertainment in america but also tied the nation together.
Motion Picture:
The Motion Picture, invented by Tomas Edison was gaining popularity in America as early as the 1890's. But it truly emerged in to American society in 1903, when the first story sequence reached the screens, The Great Train Robbery. Motion picture was extensively used during the war to spit out anti German propaganda. This use of the technology of films aided momentously in selling war bonds and raising morale. A new captivating industry was born and Holley wood became the movie capital of the world. Color films and talkies were being to be produced as early as 1927. One of the earliest Movie Stars was Al Johnson, salary was larger than the president. By 1929 over 80 million tickets of the latest Hollywood movies were sold each week.