Creativity Juice for Writing … 100 Years Ago

Authors and Writers look for ideas to create “juice” for their writing. Consider looking back to look forward. What was happening 50 years ago? 100 years ago?  In the good old days … will how good were they? Would you like to revert back to them? Here’s what was happening across a broad spectrum in 1915 …

SpaldingGuideWomen1915

  • The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

  • Fuel for the car was sold in drug stores only. 

  • Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

  • Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

  • There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

  • 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 per year; dentist $2,500 per year; a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year; and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

  • Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! … Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard.”

  • More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.

  • Sugar cost four cents a pound.

  • Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

  • Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

  • Most women only washed their hair once a month, and 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:
    1. Pneumonia and influenza
    2. Tuberculosis
    3. Diarrhea
    4. Heart disease
    5. 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 couldn’t read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

  • Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. And, back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, Regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!”

  • Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

  • There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE United States!

In 2015 … think of this … you could forward a link to this post from there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD – all in a matter of seconds! How cool is that?

Here’s to all the fantasy and sci-fi writers out there–take what they are writing and just imagine what a world would be like with all the gizmos, gadgets and scenes they create. Remember Star Trek: The Next Generation and Captain Jean Luc Picard would switch from his tablet reading to a print book… long, long before eBooks bubbled up. Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years. Scary and Awesome. How cool is that?

And most of those other “hot” things in 1915, they are a pass for me (except for low prices on everything, but let’s be real) … what about you? What do you wish were brought back from the good old days?

 

 Ashography Event PhotographyJudith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two and 1/2 day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURoadio. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

 If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.

If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.