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What were the daily lives of people like in the early 1910s, specifically my great-grandparents' generation?

Life expectancy was significantly lower in the early 1910s.

For instance, a woman like your great-grandmother, born in 1908, could expect to live until roughly 54 years of age.

Only about 14% of households had a telephone, making communication challenging and dependent on letters or in-person visits.

The average wage was around $0.22 per hour, and the average annual income was about $750, which is equivalent to around $21,000 today.

Most households did not own a car, and only about 8% of the population had a driver's license.

Around 20% of working-age women were in the workforce in 1900.

Your great-grandmother, if she worked, would likely have been a stay-at-home mother or worked in positions such as teaching, clerical work, or domestic labor.

Many homes were heated with coal or wood, which created soot and smoke, making cities hazy and dirty.

In 1910, fewer than 15% of homes had flush toilets, which means many people still used outhouses.

Indoor plumbing and electricity were not yet universally available.

In fact, in 1910, about 65% of urban homes and only 10% of rural homes had access to electricity.

Illiteracy rates were still relatively high.

About 10% of the population over age 10 was illiterate.

Fashion for women in the early 1910s featured high collars, long skirts, and large hats.

Men typically wore suits, hats, and neckties in public.

In 1910, the average marriage age for women was about 21, and for men, it was around 24.

Divorce was less common and more stigmatized than it is today.

A photograph from the early 1910s required a lengthy exposure time, leading to stiff and formal poses.

Leisure activities in the 1910s often revolved around the community, and might include activities like attending dances, theater performances, and sporting events.

The education system was not as standardized as it is now.

Children typically only attended school until eighth grade, if they attended school at all.

Technological innovations such as the assembly line, telegraph, and phonograph were transforming the way people lived, learned, and communicated.

The period between 1900-1920 is often referred to as the Progressive Era, partly due to the numerous reforms and advancements in industries, health, and worker's rights.

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was a significant event that aimed to protect consumers from harmful or mislabeled food and drugs.

Immigration played a crucial role in this era, with millions of people from Europe and Asia moving to the U.S.

in search of better opportunities.

World War I had a significant impact on society, resulting in shortages, rationing, and increased patriotism and nationalism.

By 1917, the U.S.

entered the war and sent troops to fight in Europe.

The early 1910s was a transformative time when many social, economical, and technological advancements were shaping the world and the daily lives of people like your great-grandparents.

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