Jazz Age Economy:
By the late 1920s, the average hourly wage had nearly tripled from the previous decade to nearly 70 cents an hour. Businesses were booming, working conditions were improving and leisure-time was much more accessible. The stock market was growing exponentially creating vast amounts of wealth for large numbers of people. As wages went higher, strangely, prices went lower. In 1924, you could buy the new Ford Model T for just over $300.00. The average family income jumped to almost $15,000.00 a year. Many people now suddenly had "disposable income." To put things in perspective, $1 in 1923 had about the same buying power as $13.59 in 2013. So, $1 million in '23 would equal about $13,594,102.21 in 2013. In 1921, there were only 21 people in the United States who earned $1 million or more a year. By 1924, that number had jumped to 75 people. By 1926, there were 207, and in 1927 the number skyrocketed to 15,000 (at least one of which was earning $1 billion per year). About 4,000 of those people lived within a few blocks of each other on Park Avenue in New York City.
The people from long-standing wealthy families ("old money") resented the rise in the wealth of the lower classes, and used the term "nouveau riche" to refer to them pejoratively (as an insult). There were serious social conflicts as this "new money" began buying houses in "old money" neighborhoods and sending their children to the best private schools.
Unfortunately, that kind of growth was unsustainable. The stock market crashed in 1929 starting off the Great Depression which devastated the U.S. economy.
The people from long-standing wealthy families ("old money") resented the rise in the wealth of the lower classes, and used the term "nouveau riche" to refer to them pejoratively (as an insult). There were serious social conflicts as this "new money" began buying houses in "old money" neighborhoods and sending their children to the best private schools.
Unfortunately, that kind of growth was unsustainable. The stock market crashed in 1929 starting off the Great Depression which devastated the U.S. economy.
Jazz Age (1920s) Popular Music:
Again, pay attention to the rhythm, instruments, and tone; but also pay attention to the lyrics (especially the lyrics starting at about 2:24 of "Runnin' Wild" -- they really offer a glimpse into the Jazz Age attitude).
Ben Pollack -- Everybody's Doin' It
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Paul Whiteman -- Charleston
George Gershwin -- Rhapsody in Blue
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Joe Grey -- Runnin' Wild
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Jazz Age Fashion:
No more chin-to-wrist-to-ankle coverage. Bobbed hair, knickerbockers, and disinterested expressions all say something about the changing social norms.
Jazz Age Art/Culture/Technology:
ART DECO, ILLUSTRATION STYLE, DADA, AND CUBISM:
If humans don't look human, what do they look like? If a gas station looks like a church, then a church looks like a gas station. If a toaster looks like art, then art looks like a toaster.
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TRANSPORTATION, BUT NOT JUST FOR TRANSPORTATION:
Long, sleek, curvy and futuristic. Your vehicle isn't just a vehicle anymore, it's a reflection of your personality, your style, beauty, and fun.
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CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT: Thrill seeking, pleasure seeking, and movies (as well as prohibition-inspired alcoholism and organized crime) -- outright rebellion was never more socially acceptable.
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