Wow! The amazing ways the world has changed in 100 years

A lot has changed since our grandparents’ day – for better and for worse.

When it comes to humanity, it’s all too easy to fixate on the negative: the suffering we have inflicted; the damage we have caused. But humanity has also achieved so many wonderful things.

This fascinating list, recently published by Del Tura community magazine The Tower, is being shared far and wide right now on Facebook – and for good reason. It’s a beautiful little reminder of the enormous changes that have transformed the world into a whole new place.

Just imagine where we’ll be another 100 years from now!

The year is 1915 – Just 101 years ago

• The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
• Fuel for cars was only sold in drug stores.
• Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
• Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
• The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
• The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
• A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000.00 per year.
• A dentist could make $2500.00 per year.
• A veterinarian could make between $1500 and $4000 per year.
• A mechanical engineer could make about $5000 per year.
• More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
• Ninety percent of all doctors had no college education. Instead, they attended so-call medical schools, many of which are condemned in the press and the government as “substandard”.
• Sugar costs four cents a pound.
• Egg were fourteen cents for a dozen.
• Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
• Most women only washed their hair once a month. They used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
• Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
• The five leading causes of death were: Pneumonia and influenza, Tuberculosis, Diarrhea, Heart Disease and Stroke.
• The American flag had 45 stars.
• The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30.
• Crossword puzzles, canned beer and iced tea hadn’t been invented yet.
• There was neither a Mother’s day nor a Father’s day.
• Two out of every 10 adults could not read or write.
• Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
• Marijuana, heroin and morphine were all available over the counter at local drugstores. Back then pharmacists said “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, bowels and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!”
• Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
• And last, there were about 230 reported murders in the entire United States.

Which of these changes are you most grateful for? Which surprises you the most?