“The Rise of

Automobiles”

Raul Dutra
U.S History
1920’s decade
 U.S economy in the 1920’s
• Most Americans were unconcerned about the dark side of life. They were too busy
enjoying the prosperity of the 1920s. American industry had expanded during the
Great War, making weapons, uniforms, equipment etc. This expansion continued
after the war, helped by America's massive reserves of raw materials and by high
tariffs (import duties on foreign goods). Tariffs made foreign goods dearer, so
American goods were bought. Some industries were also given subsidies (cash
support), which increased their profits. So there was a boom economic expansion).
• The greatest boom was in consumer goods, e.g. cars, refrigerators, radios,
cookers, telephones etc. Ordinary people were encouraged through advertising to
buy these goods and many could now afford what had been luxuries before the
war. One reason was that they earned slightly higher wages because of the boom.
Another reason was that the growth of hire purchase meant that people could
spread the cost over months and even years. But the main reason was that goods
had become cheaper, e.g. 1908 the average cost of a car was $850 1925 the
average cost of a car was $290.This was because of "mass production" methods
used to produce many consumer goods. Assembly lines were built in factories and
each worker concentrated on one small job only. The most famous example of this
method was Henry Ford's factory which was fully automated (many of the jobs
done by machines). Because of mass production and automation one Model T car
was produced every ten seconds.
 Why Were Cars A Symbol?
• The impressive leather coaching and customized interiors
radiated luxury and prosperity. The relative ease of operation
and reliability meant freedom. Beneath their hoods many of the
cars exhibited impressively large engines, delivering speed
and excitement.
• The automobile was arguably the most important catalyst for
social change in the 1920's, liberating Americans from often
restrictive home or neighborhood situations. Many women
used the cars to save time in their daily domestic chores -- in
turn giving them more free time, in which they could educate
themselves, or find a job. The younger generations loved the
car as an escape from the chaperones. A juvenile court judge
criticized the auto as a "house of prostitution on wheels," due
to the relatively large quantity of "inappropriate" sex occurring
in the car. Businessmen, possessing a faster, more personal
form of transportation, could live farther from the city and
subway stops. Consequently the suburb lifestyle began in
places like Queens and the Bronx. Rural Americans loved the
car as a ride to town and the social circles.
• Automobiles had existed before the Twenties, but were
expensive, unreliable, and generally only toys for the rich.
What made the auto so influential in the 1920's was its
increased availability and dependability. Scientific
management and the assembly line increased factory
productivity and decreased cost, making the auto more
affordable. By 1930 every 1.3 households owned a car, versus
44 households in 1910. Henry Ford was largely responsible for
this movement, pioneering efficient production methods and
striving to produce a reliable and practical car for the masses.
His legendary Model-T, produced between 1913 and 1927,
was sold as low as $290 (+-$2,900 today). Its successor, the
Model-A, sold for as little as $460 ($4,600). There was a
movement in America to make Henry Ford president.
 Some people still wanted
more…
• However, there was also a
large high-priced auto market.
The Coolidge Prosperity fueled
the prices of such monsters as
the Locomobile Model 48, for
$13,000($130,000), and the
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom, “Locomobile model”
selling between $17-
18,000(180,000). These
luxurious cars undoubtedly
functioned as status symbols,
transporting the occupants in a
style that cannot be found
today.

Rolls-Royce Phantom
 Some 1920’s Cars
1924 1925
Ford Franklin
coupe sedan

1926 Ford
Model T 1928
roadster Chevrolet
sedan
 Bibliography
• http://americanhistory.si.edu/ONTHEMOV
E/themes/story_78_4.html
• http://www.huffenglish.com/gatsby/automo
biles.html
• www.wikipedia.org
Thanks to Chuck Berry for his
music…