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On the date

Saturday, January 24, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Teenager · Sight

I just cranked up the new hair dryer until my bobbed locks stood stiff as a board, all so I’d look like the cat's pajamas for the dance tonight. My brother’s in the parlor fussing with the dial on that new KDKA station trying to catch a signal through the static, but I’m too busy fumbling with a Band-Aid over the blister I got from my T-strap heels. Under the harsh glow of the streetlamps, the beaded silk of my drop-waist dress shimmers like those silver coins they’re rioting over in Berlin. I checked the headlines, but honestly, all that talk is just baloney when there’s jazz to be found.

Memories from that day

No memories yet. Add yours if you remember this day.

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

38,849 days ago

(106 years, 159 days)