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What was it like living in the Decades of the 1900's?

1920's
Popular Culture 1920's
Due to the new technology available allowing movies to have both sound and color, the movie industry in Hollywood grew fast, as did the number of Cinemas showing the films. In 1919, laws were passed for the Prohibition of the consumption and even possession of alcohol, making it illegal. Due to these laws, the Decade provided some of the best known gangsters a means to create vast wealth by opening illegal bars called speakeasies that would provide alcoholic drinks for the people that patronized these establishments. The most well known gangster of the time was possibly Al Capone.
The other great change in people's lives came from an invention and technology developed prior to the twenties. After World War I, the birth of commercial radio helped the radio to became a significant part of life providing news and entertainment to the masses in their homes.
Toys
1920's Toys
Some of the children's toys that could be found during the Roaring Twenties and other decades. Toys include Teddy Bears, Velocipedes, Tinker Toys, Gyroscopes, and Magic Lanterns.

1930's
In 1930 average new house cost $7,145.00 and by 1939 was $3,800.00
In 1930 the average income per year was $1,970.00 and by 1939 was $1,730.00
In 1930 a gallon of gas was 10 cents and by 1939 was 10 cents
In 1930 the average cost of new car was $640.00 and by 1939 was $700.00
A few more prices from the 30's.
Firestone Tyre 1932 from $3.69, Single Vision Glasses 1938 $3.85, Complete Modern 10 piece bedroom Suite $79.85,
Steak 1938 1LB 20 cents, New Emerson Bedroom Radio 1938 $9.95, History of Radio, Shaefer Pens 1933 from $3.35,
Plymouth Roadking Car 1938 $685, Emmerson 5 tube bedroom radio $9.95, Howard Deluxe Quality silk lined hat $2.85,
Cotton Chiffon Volle Girls Frock $2.98
Toys
1930's Toys
Balsa Wood Toy Kits, Flossy Flirt Doll, Electric Train Sets



1940's

In 1940 a new house cost $3,920.00 and by 1949 was $7,450.00
In 1940 the average income per year was $1,725.00 and by 1949 was $2,950.00
In 1940 a gallon of gas was 11 cents and by 1949 was 17 cents
In 1940 the average cost of new car was $850.00 and by 1949 was $1,420.00
A few more prices from the 40's and how much things cost
100 aspirin 76 cents, Philco Refrigerator $239.00, Pork Loin Roast per pound 45 cents, Nylon Hose 20 cents,
New Emerson Bedroom Radio 1938 $19.65, Men's Suits from $24.50, Portable electric heater $42.50, Ford Super Deluxe Sedan Coupe $1395, Sealey Mattress $38.00
Toys
1940's Toys
Some of the children's toys that could be found that reflected World War II with Model Plane Kits and Army Doctor/Nurses Kit.



1950's

In 1950 a new house cost $8,450.00 and by 1959 was $12,400.00
In 1950 the average income per year was $3,210.00 and by 1959 was $5,010.00
In 1950 a gallon of gas was 18 cents and by 1959 was 25 cents
In 1950 the average cost of new car was $1,510.00 and by 1959 was $2,200.00 More Cars and Car Prices
Toys
1950's Toys
Children's offered a much wider range following the boom in babies born, but toys were very much gender designed with dolls, prams, dressmaking for girls toys and Cowboys and Indians, cars and construction sets for boys.

1960s
In 1960 a new house cost $12,700.00 and by 1969 was $15,500.00
In 1960 the average income per year was $5,315.00 and by 1969 was $8,540.00
In 1960 a gallon of gas was 25 cents and by 1969 was 35 cents
In 1960 the average cost of new car was $2,600.00 and by 1969 was $3,270.00
A few more prices from the 60's.
Volkswagen beetle $1,769 From Car Prices in the 60's Ford Mustang 2 door hardtop $2368,
Misses Swinging Shifts Skirts $5.00, Oxford men's Shoes $12.95 1960 Men's Pocket Watch $9.44
Automatic Can Opener $8.88 Automatic Electric Blanket $9.94 Oranges 89 cents for 2 dozen
Oven ready Turkeys 39 cents per pound From Price of Food 60's Modern Walnut Bookcase $29.97
Coal $14.95 ton
Toys
1960's Toys
The popular toys of the decade were anything space related due to mans race to the moon, Barbie, GI Joe plus showing a heavy influence from children's TV shows and pop music and culture.

1970's
In 1970 a new house cost $23,400.00 and by 1979 was $58,500.00
In 1970 the average income per year was $9,350.00 and by 1979 was $17,550.00
In 1970 a gallon of gas was 36 cents and by 1979 was 86 cents
In 1970 the average cost of new car was $3,900.00 and by 1979 was $5,770.00
A few more prices from the '70's
Datsun 210 $3,869, Dodge Colt $4,785, Warm Leather Lined Boots $39.99, Car 8 Track Stereo Tape Player $38.99
CB Radio $147, Medium Eggs 25 cents per dozen, Miracle Whip $1.09, King Size Bean Bag Chair $19.99
Porcelain Kitchen Sink $9.88, Quartz Alarm Clock $12.97
Toys
1970's Toys
The popular toys at of the decade were The New Digital Based Toys and Computers including Simon and the development of the Atari computer and gaming system. Other Popular toys also included Hot Wheels For Boys and Barbie For Girls, with space, music and pop culture toys also popular.



1980's

In 1980 a new house cost $68,714.00 and by 1989 was $120,00.00
In 1980 the average income per year was $19,170.00 and by 1989 was $27,210.00
In 1980 a gallon of gas was $1.19 and by 1989 was 97 cents
In 1980 the average cost of new car was $7,210.00 and by 1989 was $15,400.00
A few more prices from the 80's
Camero Coupe $7,571, Pontiac Grand AM $9,965, Nike Air Force Basketball Shoes $54.90, Tailored Style Silk Blouse $15.99
Amiga 500 with Color Monitor $849, Hands Free Operating Car Phone $788, Leg O Lamb $2.19 per pound
Milk 85 cents 1/2 gallon, Bunk Beds with Mattress $148, Chrome Sling Chair $76.00, Cheer Laundry Detergent $1.59
Toys
1980's Toys
The popular toys at of the decade also signaled the age of the video game in arcades, Games Machines and PC's the most popular games being Space Invaders and Pac Man plus talking dolls were all the rage and at the end of the decade. Sony Walkmans, Talking Alf, Star War Figures, Pound Puppies, My Little Pony and Mr and Mr's Potato Head.

1990's
In 1990 a new house cost $123,000.00 and by 1999 was $131,700.00
In 1990 the average income per year was $28,970.00 and by 1999 was $40,810.00
In 1990 a gallon of gas was $1.34 and by 1999 was $1.22
In 1990 the average cost of new car was $16,000.00 and by 1999 was $21,100.00
A few more prices from the 90's
Ford Mustang Convertible $14,289.00, Plymouth Voyager $15,999, Leather Bomber Jacket $99.99, Levi Denim Jeans $34.99
Super Nintendo $159.00, Mobile Phones $325.00, Pork Chops $1.98, Solid Pine Armoire $539.00, Lazy Boy Recliner$260.00
Snowboard $199.00
Toys
1990's Toys
Technology also had a major impact on Popular 1990s Toys with computer gaming systems and the games available increasing in price with vastly improved graphics and gaming capabilities. Plus talking dolls, bears and other similar toys caused queues over the peak Christmas Period with parents searching for available stock.