Happy Birthday Canada. what a difference a century makes
The year was 1920, "One hundred years ago." What a difference a century makes!
Here is some statistics from the 1920s:
The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
One product that Canada exported in large quantities to the United States was illegal alcohol
Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only.
Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub.
The telephone had become a standard household appliance.
Telephone lines were shared by many neighbours, which meant anyone could listen in on your conversation
Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in 1919 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year.
A dentist earned $2,500 per year.
A veterinarian between $1,500 and 4,000 per year. And, a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND government as "substandard."
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women washed their hair once a month and, used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason.
The five leading causes of death were:
- Pneumonia and influenza
- Tuberculosis
- Diarrhea
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Newfoundland was not part of Canada
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.
There was neither Mother's Day nor Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were available over counter at local drugstores.
Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, and bowels, and is a perfect guardian of health!" (Shocking?)
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
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