February 13, 2010

Just Yesterday...


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The year is 1909.
One hundred and one years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1909 :
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The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles
Of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year ..

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000
per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '

Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school..

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.!
Plus one more sad thought; 95 percent of the taxes we have now did
not exist in 1909


Hmmm... wonder what life will be like in 2110!

I got this from my friend Kellie. She got it in an email, so if you find some of this information false, don't blame us. :) We both love history stuff and just thought it was a little something fun.
Enjoy your weekend!

3 comments:

O Mom said...

amazing!

Runner Mom said...

No sweet tea??? Mercy!!!WHat on earth did we southerners drink???

Happy valentine's day!!
Hugs!
Susan

Amber said...

So crazy to think about.

And seriously? No ice tea? Heavens.