CANADA IN THE 1920S

THE AGE OF INVENTION

PROSPERITY AND CHANGE

After the devastation and economic slump that hit Canada directly after WWI, times began to look up!

By 1923-24 the post-war economic slump was beginning to lift and Canadian wheat, manufactured goods and natural resources - iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper were in high demand again

Pulp and paper industry was supplying the large American market

Automobile began to grow

GOOD TIMES

People began to move into cities and got jobs in the service industry (transportation, finance, public administration, hospitality);

Wages rose for most people, many could buy things on creditdisposable income grew

GOOD TIMES

Stocks (portions of a company purchased by the public) were being bought as peoples’ confidence in the economy increased;

This led to a stock market boom;

GOOD TIMES

Canadians felt very safe financially.

Life was good and Canadians lived it up by spending money on new inventions that made life EASIER and more FUN!

INVENTIONS, LUXURY, LEISURE &

FUN!

Sliced Bread

•Prior to sliced bread, people cut their own uneven slices of bread – oh my!

After many attempts, Otto Frederick Rohwedder was finally successful with a reliable machine to slice bread

In the late 1920s, Wonder Bread bought his machine, and few new things have been as good as sliced bread!

TOASTER

Due to the success of sliced bread, the toaster became exceedingly popular!

It was an extravagant item that was frequently placed in the middle of the kitchen table for display

The invention of the first successful bubble gum is credited to Walter Diemer in 1928

He hit upon a formula that was less sticky and more flexible than other chewing gum characteristics that allowed a chewer to make bubbles.

Pink dye was used for the gum because pink was the only colour available at the Chewing Gum Company.

Bubble Gum

At the beginning of the 20s only 25% of Canadians owned a phone

During the decade telephone technology improved rapidly (i.e. the earpiece was attached to the mouthpiece)

Telephones became much more affordable and by the end of the decade 75% of Canadians owned a phone

How did this change Canadian society?

Telephone

The automobile had revolutionized society

They enabled people from long distances to easily visit each other

They allowed for people to travel and visit new places – vacations!

Created huge industry/jobs for Canadians

Automobile

Radio made the world seem smaller

It provided inexpensive entertainment to Canadians and it ended isolation

It brought families together and created unity

Music, sports and advertisements became very popular because of the radio.

RADIO

Hockey Night in Canada was one of the first Canadian radio programs

It proved to be a traditional Canadian past time since the beginning of its time

Hockey Night in Canada

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PEPSI COLA

Double Mint Gum

IN CLASS ASSIGNMENT

Read over Slang Terms handout

In groups (assigned by Ms. N) you will:

Select a 1920s invention from the handout Create a 10 – 30 second radio ad promoting your

product Use at least 5 of the slang terms in your

advertisement Refer to Slang of the Era handout

Presentations will occur at the end of today's class

Good luck and HAVE FUN!