Table of Contents Editorial Topic How is the 1920s changing in regards to consumerism and the way Americans spend their leisure time? And P.3 Scoop 1 Are new advertising tactics good for America, or a way to brainwash Americans into buying things they don’t need? P.4 Scoop 2 Is mass production lowering the quality of Americans products, or is it good for US consumers? P.5-6 Scoop 3 Will radio and movies give Americans access to new information, or make Americans lazy, mindless zombies? P.7-8 Scoop 4 Is buying on credit good or bad for America? P.9-10
The Savvy Consumer’s Editorial How is the 1920s changing in regards to consumerism and the way Americans spend their leisure time? Is consumerism in
the 1920s changing the way americans spend their leisure time? We think yes as a group. At first, the U.S. had to advertise for consumerism. Some examples of that were promoting the involvement in World War 1 or influencing community activities for public life. They marketed their product ideas and sales, which were not as dependant on price or technological improvements. After a while, the radio was a new way to broadcast news and products. Huge audiences would tune in to national news. The sponsors grew, and soon enough the radio was a new way to broadcast news, elections, sports, music, comedy, stories, weather, contests, advertised products, and drama. People started traveling more often too. Henry Ford’s invention of the conveyer-belt made the building of cars much faster and cheaper. The prices went down for cars in the 1920s and at least half of all families owned a car. Credit helped boost jobs in the economy for americans as well as it allowed people to buy almost anything they wanted. Everybody was consuming. It also helped the stock market grow honestly to what it is today. That’s why we think consumerism was good for America.
Brainwashing America? Are new advertising tactics good for America or a way to brainwash Americans into buying things they don’t need? By Greta Vande Lune
In the 1920’s, the consumer rate was going up. New advertising tactics were a way to brainwash americans into buying things they don’t need rather than being good for america. Makers of products repeated such promises, in the process they helped create a new consumer culture. There was mass production of new products. It prompted U.S. involvement In World War One. They made signs about not being a good citizen unless you supported the war. First they started out with using tv ads and radio stations, then they started using billboard then later on used blimps for sky messages. Advertisers used appealings words to get the buyers interest they spur the prospect to immediate action. “National oats, makes kids husky” “cut your cost buy a ford” Psychology of selling is not so dependant on price but appealing the U.S. citizens. They boosted clients sales appealing to those anxieties. They convinced people they too can be like the famous people and do all the stuff they do. Merits of a product are not as important to its success as its image. Never focus on product itself but on the brand. “smoking=heroism of U.S. troops In Europe” advertisers aggressively marketed the products of a newly electrified life. Experts studied psycology to determine which messages
My article ties into credit, they are making consumers buy more expensive products not worrying about price because they now have credit. Consumers can now buy more products that make them happy and feel famous. Many consumers could not afford all the goods they wanted. Installment buying made it possible for americans to buy goods on credit. Credit made it seem the good times would go forever. Although, it did help consumers in ways with some products they needed to be bought to help them. Consumers only bought it though because of the advertisers words when really if no one said anything they wouldn't have done anything.
Above is a pictue of human being evolving from a monkey to a human to a scan code, because of consumerism in America.
Mass Production Is mass production lowering the quality of American products, or is it good for US consumers? By Harold Warr
Henry ford created the assembly line. The assembly line cut in half the time it takes to produce a car. it also reduced injury to production works . mass production cut the cost of cars from $950 in 1908 to under $290 in 1926 . Mass production benefits consumers because consumers have faster access to cars because there are more cars available . since mass production cut the cost of cars from $950 in 1908 to under $290 in 1926 , more people can afford to purchase a car . greater spending improver the economy overall . when people mailed money , they spend more money and everyone benefits.
Tuned In? Will radios and movies give Americans access to new information, or make Americans lazy, mindless zombies? By Deegan Lund
Have you been to the golden palace to see The Jazz Singer? Have you listened to the latest soap opera on your local radio station? If you answered yes, then you are one of the millions of Americans who are turning to radios and movies as an escape from reality. Americans are experiencing more unprecedented prosperity and it’s high time they get to enjoy themselves. Radios and movies not only provide Americans with entertainment, but they also will give Americans access to new information. Radio programs gave out information that came from all around the world. Bringing common american culture to people throughout the country. Specific radio stations were made for groups such as farmers, immigrants and minorities. Radios had become America's ears to the world. U.S. political candidates voices could reach people who the candidates themselves couldn't reach in person. Information was distributed faster than newspaper or people. Audiences for music, theater and sports were all limited before radios.
Now they could be listened to all around the country People all around the world were receiving the same information just from radios. Radios became “a window into another lifestyle.� Radios distributed things such as music, common mass culture, sunday sermons, talks on child care, stories, entertainment shows, a way to advertise products, sports reports, sports games, comedy, plays, closing pieces, stories, and weather forecasts. Radios and movies have helped distribute news and information all over the United States. Some information that helped throuout daily life and some was just for enjoyment.
Catch the Credit Fever! Was credit good or bad for America? By Sasha Merkle
Have you been having sweet dreams of buying that new ice box? Maybe the latest and greatest radio? Are you worried about whether or not you can afford to buy the latest consumer products? Have no fear, credit it here! More Americans are buying on credit than ever before. Believe it or not, buying on credit is good for America. First what is credit? Buying on credit is when you buy something with borrowed money and pay whoever you borrowed money from back over a period of time (usually years). Credit was great for the economy. After world war 1, the U.S. was basically broke since they had spent tons of money on the war. All of a sudden, business started to boom because people found a new way to spend their money. Credit boosted the jobs in the U.S. Since people were buying more and more, more people were being hired to produce these things. The housing industry grew too. People would use credit to buy a big fancy house and then over time pay the bank back and live in a big fancy house. Credit was good for the people of the U.S. too. There was finally a way for people to buy things they needed, even if they didn’t have as much money as was on the price tag. People started buying things they didn’t even need: 200 dollar overstuffed living room suites, electric washing machines, automobiles, fur coats, diamond rings, etc. Just to make some money off of it, people would sell these luxurious items and make big money. Americans were becoming millionaires. By the end of the 1920s about 15% of all retail sales were on installment plans which had been purchased using
I’m sure by now, you have also read about all of the reasons why credit is bad. Credit certainly does affect the stock market, however since the stock market is booming there should be no reason to be concerned. Credit affects the stock market because instead of buying stocks with cash, the buyer can invest 10 to 20 percent of the price with credit and borrow the rest from the stockbroker. The catch is, if the prices of the stock fall below the amount of the loan, the broker can make you repay the loan immediately in cash. Also, as more and more people were investing in stocks, the stocks became more expensive. But, compared to all the plus sides of credit, there really is nothing to be afraid of. Don’t be afraid of credit. Don’t be afraid to invest. Buying on credit is good for America’s economy and people and you should go out and purchase the latest and greatest inventions of the 1920s!
Above: Window shoppers can now afford the products they see in the window because of credit.