What Was the Impact of Automobiles in the 1920s?
The advent of the automobile in the 1920s had an incredible impact on nearly every facet of American life. The growth of the automobile industry led to a number of important developments in the economic sphere, with many different industrial spin-offs. The invention of the automobile also led to a number of different changes in American life in terms of social structures and freedoms.
Though the technology had existed for some time, automobiles did not become widespread in the United States until the 1920s. According to the U.S. History website, this was primarily thanks to Henry Ford, whose pioneering work allowed more people the ability to purchase the mass-produced vehicles than ever before. In addition to the changes brought about by the influx of people driving automobiles, the new jobs created by the automobile industry also had an impact on the national economy. Ford’s decision to increase the wages of his workers allowed them to purchase vehicles themselves and further compounded the impact of automobiles in America.
The popularity of automobiles reverberated throughout the economy in other ways, as it created the need for a number of other smaller industries. Different types of metals, glasses and plastics all became necessary in larger quantities than ever before. This created an economic boom in manufacturing industries throughout the nation. Additionally, automobiles allowed the American public to travel to new places more efficiently and cheaply than ever before.
