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James Lucas@JamesLucasIT · Feb 13, 2025

Life in America 50 to 100+ years ago 🧵 1. A genuinely happy looking family, 1959

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Summary

A visual history thread showcasing American life from the 1890s to 1950s, featuring family photos, urban landscapes, beaches, and consumer culture, highlighting how affordable living and community spaces were during this era compared to today.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

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    Life in America 50 to 100+ years ago 🧵 1. A genuinely happy looking family, 1959

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    2. In 1947, a housewife poses with a week's worth of groceries, which cost her just $12.50. With this budget, she managed to feed herself, her husband, their four-year-old twins, and even the family cat. Adjusted for inflation, that $12.50 would be about $166 in 2025.

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    3. Teenagers at a party in Tulsa, 1947

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    4. San Francisco, 1906

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    5. Baltimore, 1946 The white marble steps of Baltimore were once the city's trademark. Homeowners took pride in scrubbing them daily, ensuring they stayed bright. Over time, countless footsteps carved smooth grooves into the stone, marking the passage of generations.

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    6. Manhattan Waterfront, 1930s

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    7. A man browses for books in the old Public library of Cincinnati, demolished in 1955. After the demolition, the site was paved and turned into a parking lot. Currently, it is occupied by an office building and a parking garage.

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    8. Chicago during the 1930s

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    9. The crowded beach of Atlantic City, 1908

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    10. American automobile leap show, 1922

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    11. St. Louis, Missouri in 1904

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    12. Driving in New York City, 1911

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    13. Afternoon walk in Saratoga Springs, New York, 1915

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    14. Los Angeles, 1930s

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    15. The 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois

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    16. Detroit, 1920s

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    17. Listening to the radio on the beach, 1940s

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    18. Fifth Avenue, New York City, 1929

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    19. The first-ever Miss America pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921.

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    20. Average American family in 1954 The typical factory worker lived in a detached home and owned a private car, all on the wages of a single Ford factory job.

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