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On the date

Sunday, July 18, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Anxious Local · Sound

The neighbor’s new KDKA wireless box is screeching again, a ghostly whistle competing with the sweet lilt of "Whispering" drifting from the parlor. I nearly dropped my market basket hearing that the grocer wants it all for just one loaf; paying **$0.11** for a bit of flour and yeast feels like a real squeeze when every penny is being swallowed by the high cost of this modern life. It’s enough to give a man a headache, and I’ve got a terrible crush on the idea of just disappearing into a quiet cinema. Between the roar of those new airplane engines overhead and the chatter about the yacht races, I can’t hear myself think over the clatter of T-strap heels on the hot pavement.

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

38,673 days ago

(105 years, 348 days)