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On the date

Tuesday, January 20, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Street Photographer · Sound

The cold January wind whistles past the newsstand, nearly drowning out the tinny hum of "Whispering" drifting from a nearby shop window. I adjust my lens to capture a woman in a beaded silk shift and a tight cloche hat, her heels clicking rhythmically against the icy pavement. Tucked under her arm is a brand new Raggedy Andy, its red yarn hair a shock of color against the gray city slush. A vendor tries to upsell me on a miracle hair dryer, but I tell him that’s pure applesauce and keep my eye on the frame.

Memories from that day

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Best-selling Sheet Music

Whispering

John Schonberger

The must-have

Raggedy Andy

Slang

Slang of the decade

General

applesaucebaloneycheaterscrush

Flapper

bee's kneescat's pajamasgiggle watershebahotsy-totsy

Gangster

big cheesebump offstool pigeongatfall guy

Catchphrases of 1920

  • Return to normalcy

Tech Check

Commercial Radio Stations (KDKA), Hair Dryer & Band-Aid.

Style of 1920

Silhouette: Straight and drop-waisted (Flapper)

Material: Beaded silk and rayon

  • Bobbed hair
  • Cloche hats
  • T-strap heels

Cost of Living (1920)

Loaf of Bread

$0.11

Gallon of Gas

$0.30

Average Home

$6,296

New Car

$575

Meanwhile

  • Post-WWI RecessionSevere deflation and collapse of agricultural prices.

Time Elapsed

38,853 days ago

(106 years, 163 days)