Trystan Casey
The 1920s saw a revolution in communications, with the telephone, phonograph, radio, and movies becoming ubiquitous parts of daily life. Radio, in particular, went from being virtually non-existent at the beginning of the decade to a pervasive feature of American life. This decade also witnessed the birth of broadcast networks, marking the advent of mass media. The electrification of cities during this period fueled a competitive power market, incentivizing utilities to expand their reach and capture new territories and customers. While the availability of electricity varied across regions, it is estimated that by 1925, approximately 50% of homes had access to electricity, with urban areas leading the way. Electric lighting, first introduced in the 1870s, had become common in middle-class and more expensive homes built after 1890, while poorer sections of towns gained access later in the 1920s. The 1920s also saw the introduction of flexible armored cable for electrical installation, enhancing safety and protecting wires from damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common electrified items in the 1920s | Radios, toasters, vacuum cleaners, irons, curling irons, coffee pots, floor lamps, fans, electric stoves, and ovens |
| First electrified | Cities |
| Power source | Coal, hydropower |
| Power market | Competitive |
| Wiring | Knob and tube wiring, flexible armored cable |
| Sockets, switch handles, and fuse blocks | Made of wood |
| Lighting | Arc lamps, incandescent light bulbs |
| Rural electrification | Varied, with rural homes in mining areas having electricity by 1915 |
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What You'll Learn
Electric lighting
In the 1920s, most new fixtures had "keyless sockets", controlled by a wall switch rather than at the light itself. However, some fixtures still had pull chains. Electric lighting was also becoming more efficient, with the development of the high-pressure mercury-vapor lamp and the low-pressure sodium-vapor lamp. These new lamps were especially suitable for street lighting and became widely used in the 1930s.
The design of light fixtures in the 1920s was influenced by Art Moderne, a European design trend that broke with the past and sometimes incorporated organic forms. Moorish, Spanish, and Egyptian motifs were also popular, with sailing ships and birds as recurring themes. At the same time, more conservative Americans were embracing retro designs, inspired by romantic chateaus and thatched cottages. Light fixtures were marketed not just on the basis of their utility, but also their style and health benefits.
While electric lighting was becoming more common in the 1920s, there were still many rural areas without access to electricity. In addition, appliances were expensive, so most people would not have had a lot of them.
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Rural vs urban access
In the 1920s, electricity was becoming more common in cities and towns, but it was less accessible in rural areas. Urban areas had been electrified since the late 19th century, and by the 1920s, almost all cities and towns in America had electricity for homes and businesses. However, there were still significant gaps in rural electrification, with many farms and remote communities lacking access to electricity.
The main reason for this disparity was economic. Power companies were reluctant to expand into rural areas due to the sparse population and the distance between residences. The cost of building substations and power transmission lines from urban to rural areas seemed prohibitive, despite studies showing that electricity improved rural productivity and quality of life. Utilities corporations chose to invest in urban systems instead, as they could take advantage of economies of scale in power generation and distribution, making it more affordable and accessible for urban customers.
In the 1920s, the power market was highly competitive, and utilities had an incentive to expand quickly to claim territory and customers. However, rural areas presented a challenge due to their lower population density and greater distance from power plants. Utilities estimated that it would cost a significant amount to build transmission lines to farms, and most companies were unwilling to bear the cost. As a result, electrification proceeded at a much slower pace in rural areas compared to cities.
Some rural communities did gain access to electricity during this time. For example, in 1923, the National Electric Light Association experimentally provided power to twenty farm homes, and in 1925, the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company conducted a successful power transmission experiment with a farm near Pauls Valley. Additionally, rural areas with industries like mining had electricity earlier, as it was necessary for their operations. However, these cases were exceptions rather than the norm, and most rural residents in the 1920s continued to rely on candles, oil lamps, and wood or coal for lighting and heating.
It wasn't until the establishment of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in 1935 that significant progress was made in bridging the rural-urban gap in electrification. The REA, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his New Deal, provided loans to electric cooperatives and helped negotiate terms with utilities to bring electricity to rural areas. With the REA's support, rural cooperatives were able to build power systems and bring electricity to their communities, improving productivity and raising living standards. By the end of World War II, roughly half of American farms had electricity, and by the 1950s, farms had nearly caught up to cities in access to electricity.
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Radio and broadcast networks
Radio broadcasting in the 1920s was a novel phenomenon that brought news and entertainment into people's homes across America. The first radio broadcast took place in 1920 on station KDKA in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of a new era in mass communication.
Initially, radio receivers were not widely owned, and the early broadcasts had a limited reach. However, as word spread, there was a surge in demand for radio receivers, and people lined up for hours to purchase them. This led to a rapid increase in the number of radio stations, with 600 stations operating nationwide by 1922. The popularity of radio continued to grow, and between 1923 and 1930, 60% of American families bought radios, gathering around the device to listen to nightly entertainment broadcasts.
The radio shows of the 1920s captivated audiences and created the first national celebrities. One of the most popular shows was "Amos 'n' Andy", which became so famous that NBC instructed its affiliates not to interrupt its broadcast unless it was a matter of national importance. The show was initially 15 minutes long and later expanded to 30 minutes, with movie theatres even stopping films to air the programme.
The advent of radio also introduced a new advertising medium. The first radio commercial aired on August 22, 1922, and by the end of the decade, radio had firmly established itself as a platform for advertising. This commercialisation of radio led to airtime being sold in set blocks, with daytime shows typically lasting 15 minutes and prime-time shows lasting 30 minutes.
The 1920s also witnessed the emergence of radio networks, with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) being the first such network. By the beginning of 1927, NBC had two networks, the Red and the Blue, totalling 25 stations, and their reach continued to expand. Radio stations like KYW in Chicago played a pivotal role in community-building, offering diverse programming that catered to the interests and needs of their listeners.
Radio in the 1920s was more than just entertainment; it was a powerful tool that influenced culture, society, and politics. Commentators debated its potential impact on citizenship, education, and global communication. Radio's accessibility and reach made it a force to be reckoned with, and it played a significant role in shaping the decade and the years to come.
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Electrified appliances
The electrification of homes in the 1920s was dependent on various factors, including location and the availability of electrical power. While some urban areas had access to electricity, many rural areas did not have electricity until later decades. However, the 1920s did see significant progress in the electrification of cities and the development of electric appliances.
The electric industry, which now powers many aspects of modern life, originated from the desire for better lighting. Initially, people relied on candles, oil lamps, or gas lamps, which had their drawbacks, including heat, smoke, and the need for regular maintenance. The introduction of electric lighting in the 19th century, first with arc lamps and then incandescent light bulbs, marked a significant step towards brighter and more accessible lighting.
The 1920s witnessed the electrification of cities, with power companies competing to expand their territory and customer base. This competition drove down costs and made electricity more affordable for households. However, it is important to note that even within cities, the availability of electricity varied, with middle-class and more expensive homes more likely to have access.
The development and availability of electric appliances gradually picked up during the 1920s. These appliances changed how housekeeping and cooking were done and often became luxury items. Some of the earliest electric inventions included vacuum sweepers, toasters, and laundry irons. Toasters, for example, evolved from open constructions to those encased in sculptural deco shells. Other appliances like electric percolators and waffle irons drew inspiration from historical designs.
The market for electric appliances experienced a downturn during the Great Depression, but it rebounded after World War II. The post-war period saw an "electric revolution," with inventors creating innovative and multipurpose appliances. For example, the "Perc-o-Toaster" could make coffee, toast, and waffles, while a clothes iron could be fitted with a hair-curling iron attachment. The availability of electricity and the emergence of new appliances significantly impacted daily life, with brand names like Hoover and Frigidaire becoming part of everyday vocabulary.
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Power sources
The 1920s saw a revolution in communications, with the telephone, phonograph, radio, and movies becoming ubiquitous parts of daily life. Radio went from being virtually non-existent at the beginning of the decade to a pervasive feature of American life. Broadcast networks were born in the 1920s, creating mass media.
In the early 1920s, most people did not have electricity in their homes and had to rely on candles or oil and gas lamps for lighting. Battery-powered radios were common, but AC radios were a rarity until 1927-1928. By 1925, it is estimated that 50% of homes had some electricity, but this was largely in urban areas, with big rural gaps where electricity was not available for another decade. In rural areas with mining, electricity in homes was more common by 1915.
Electricity was initially a novelty for the wealthy, but utility companies soon discovered ways to take advantage of economies of scale in power generation and distribution, making it more affordable and accessible. In the 1920s, cities were being electrified, and the power market was much more competitive, with utilities having an incentive to expand quickly to claim territory and customers.
The main source of electricity generation in the US in 1920 was coal, which accounted for about 50% of the nation's electricity. Hydropower was also a significant source of electricity, with the 37 MW Tesla-Westinghouse Niagara hydroelectric plant (1896) marking the beginning of the modern electric industry in the US.
In the 1920s, flexible armored cable became commonplace, offering some protection from wire damage. Knob and tube wiring, where hot wires and neutral wires were run separately and insulated using rubberized cloth, was also used in the early 1920s, although this type of insulation degraded over time.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1920s, 35% of all homes and 48% of urban homes had electricity in the US.
Demand for electricity in the US increased in the 1920s, with the percentage of homes with electricity rising from 10% in 1910 to 67% in 1930. This increase in demand was driven by the electrification of homes and the rise of consumer goods, leading to a surge in the demand for electrical appliances.
Electricity had numerous benefits for farmers in rural areas in the 1920s. It boosted productivity for dairy farmers through the use of electric milking parlors and refrigerated storage tanks, and improved egg production at poultry farms with electric heat lamps and watering systems. Electric lighting substituted kerosene lamps, improving illumination and reducing smoke inhalation, while electric washing machines saved time spent on housework.
Coal generated about 50% of electricity in the US in 1920, with hydropower also being used for generation.
