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On the date

Sunday, September 19, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Anxious Local · Sound

The radio hums with that new song "Whispering," but the melody is drowned out by the agonizing screech of the tracks as I scour the paper for news of **THE SUBWAY CIRCUIT.** I’m shaking like a leaf because bread is up to eleven cents a loaf, and honestly, even a drop of "giggle water" is becoming too expensive for a regular fellow to afford. My nerves are frayed by the constant crackle of the airwaves and the clatter of these T-strap heels on the pavement outside. Between the rising cost of gas and the terrifying noise of this new age, it feels like the whole world is spinning faster than a motorized hair dryer.

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

38,610 days ago

(105 years, 285 days)