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On the date

Wednesday, February 18, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Street Photographer · Sight

The cold February light hits the beaded silk of a flapper’s shift as she ducks into a shop, her bobbed hair perfectly sculpted by that loud, heavy electric hair dryer I saw in the window. I thumb the shutter of my Leica, catching her silhouette against a newsstand blaring headlines about President Wilson and his cabinet squabbles. Over the hiss of the street, someone’s new crystal set is picking up a tinny tune from KDKA, drowning out the rough talk of a fella who looks like he’s ready to bump off a rival. I stumble over the curb, grateful for the fresh Band-Aid on my thumb, and focus on a pair of T-strap heels clicking rhythmically against the slush.

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

PERTINAX SAYS REPLY IS FRANK; But Couched in Moderate Language, Not Like ThatUsed by Wilson.WILSON "POSTSCRIPT" FACTHe Reaffirms It, Asking if ItWas Added After Lansing's Exit.

Read in The New York Times →

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

38,824 days ago

(106 years, 134 days)