Dave Sarabia
Writhing intensive
Brenda Varda
Mar/16 /2012
Nineteen Twenties
1920 a colorful age, an age where women can have a toke and feel
rebellious. It was an age where architecture flipped its lens and took a whole
new design. An age where cars, the period revolutionized its meaning and its
industry. A whole new age in art had evolved, the Roaring Twenties.
The “ jazz age” some might call it, was a period of great opportunity
and success. Even with great potential this particular age gave birth to debt.
Consumerism plays a big role in this country. The country that can not get
enough. The plethora of people that owe money or are in debt of today’s world,
was influenced by the 20’s.
Automobiles played a big role in the consumerism back in 1920. It
was actually because of the automobile, “The American economy's phenomenal
growth rate.. ” (Cliffs Notes) was risen. More cars equal more people. More
people, more demand is needed. The year between1920 to 1929, the number of
cars on the street had tripled. With the help of Ford’s concept of mass
production, the demand is meet. Therefore more parts: mirrors, bumpers, more
plastic, metal, rubber, etc. this results to copious amounts of people purchasing
cars with loans and credit. Which can lead to high amounts of interest resulting
a high chance of debt.
Adverting is also another department that took a hit in the time. The
techniques used in posters and tabloids influenced many consumers in buying
products. This was the start of graphic designers. They were expert sales men
of the time. They have created trends and demand had escalated. Demand of
supply had been shifting. Therefore different designs for posters, signs,
billboards are being produced, “ Supply exceeded demand. Dynamic design
therefore became an essential means of persuading customers to buy a
particular product.” ( Duncan 150). 1920 took design in to a new perspective in
consumerism. Tabliods, magazines posters all influenced many consumers to
feel good about purchasing a certain product. Acrroding to Wiki Answers, Coca-
Cola was advertised with its unique design to be sold as a medicine. Because of
this, it had influenced storekeppers to buy their product. Now Coca- Cola is one
of U.S’s biggest advertising product.
Fashion took a big change in this time period. It had influenced
women to be more expressive. Fashion had also affected women’s roles in
society. If one were to wear a particular designers outfit, that gives her a status.
Because of how fashion changed, it gave many young females a sense of
freedom. “Women “bobbed”, or cut their hair short to fit under the popular
hats..” (Tirocchi Sisters). Because fashion had changed the roles of women,
more women want to buy beauty products to match their dresses. At the same
time they want to look more presentable. They would go to jewelery stores and
purchas a certain stone to match their outfit. In the 1920’s more women want to
look more appealing. With the new fashion that hit the tweites, sports wear was
a new target for designers. They took some of the designs from Romans, the
“tunic”. This short skirt with angled folds gave a more freedom / agresive look.
After coming back from World War 1, women wanted to show their place as
equals to their husbands. Therefore keeping up with fashion, buying certain
products give them an appeal of freedom and class.
The states had benefited much from the 20’s, but also had suffered.
From 1920-21 the country suffered from a quick recession right after World War
Gradually the economy had suffered causing many to be in debt. Prices where
being dropped tremendously, “..Model T that sold for $850 in 1908 sold for $290
in 1924.” (Cliffs Notes). This took a big hit in the economy, causing workers to
lose their jobs.
This time period had its glory moments where women started to
express their individuality, automobiles became identities, produced various jobs.
with the development in technology and the high demand, consumerism took a
toll in the economy. The color decade produced a credit system that caused
debt. With the illusion of confusing want from need, this results to more supply,
more demand, more loans, more debt, The Roaring Twenties.
Bibliography
1. Duncan, Alastair. Art Deco. New York: Thames and Hudson
2. CliffsNotes.com. A New Society: Economic & Social Change. 16 Mar 2012
3. Morrison McClinton, Katharine. Art Deco A Guide For Collectors. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, inc
4. Wiki.answers.com. Answers : How did the 1920's change and influence America's Culture in ways that still exist today?
5. Tirocchi Sisters, . "514 Broadway." Fashion in the 1920. DressMakers Project, 2003. Web. 23 Mar 2012.
