Marie-Hélène de Rothschild

Marie-Hélène Naila Stephanie Josina de Rothschild was a French socialite who became a doyenne of Parisian high-society and was a member of the prominent Rothschild banking family of France.

Hollywood influence on mass-market fashion

Following the 1932 film Letty Lynton, Macy’s sold over 50,000 affordable department store versions of the movie's iconic dress, made from inexpensive rayon and cotton.

Depression-era clothing and household costs

During the Great Depression, a typical practical dress for women cost $4.50, and mothers often managed to feed a family of six on just five dollars a week.

Radio ownership growth in the 1920s

Radio ownership soared in the 1920s, with over 10 million households owning a radio by 1929, bringing popular music directly into the home. Before this rapid growth, zero radios were produced in the United States in 1921.

String band performances at community events

String band musicians often played at dances, fairs, and festivals to earn a living, sometimes performing for little or no pay just to gain a regional reputation. Common ensemble instruments included fiddles, banjos, guitars, mandolins, and harmonicas.

Automobile travel grew rapidly after 1920

By the late 1920s, car sales reached 23 million, and Americans were traveling five times further by car than by train. This shift gave families freedom to choose their own schedules, contrasting with the fixed, rushed nature of railway timetables.

Cars offered safety for Black travelers

During the 1930s, Black Americans frequently used cars to travel to avoid the discrimination and humiliation encountered on public transportation. To help plan these trips, they used the Negro Motorist Green Book, starting in 1936, to find safe places to stop for food and lodging.

Rapid Expansion of Home Electricity

While only about 35 percent of homes had electricity in 1920, by 1930 that number climbed to approximately 68 percent, with urban areas reaching over 84 percent.

High Cost of Domestic Appliances

A new washing machine could cost between $60 and $200, which was significant given that a typical factory worker might earn only $100 per month.

Feeding a family for five dollars weekly

During the 1930s, a careful mother could feed a family of six for five dollars a week. She often stretched meat with gravies, potatoes, and homemade bread, or made a single pot roast last for an entire week.

Staple foods and their prices

Buttermilk was a staple beverage for many families; creameries often gave it away for free, and families sometimes used it for everything from drinking to baking. By 1932, a bag of flour cost 16 cents and a loaf of bread sold for 5 to 10 cents.

Cost of footwear in 1920

In January 1920, a man's pair of shoes cost approximately $11.50, and a woman's pair cost $14.00.

Income and food habits in the 1930s

During the mid-1930s, families of wage earners and clerical workers earned an average of $1,524 per year, though half lived on $1,458 or less. To save money, many stretched meals with homemade bread or used 25 cents worth of round steak to make a filling stew for the entire family.