technological advancements/consumerism

What were scientific management, the assembly line, and “planned obsolescence”?

• Scientific management: increased factory efficiency using time studies.

• Assembly line: sped up production (pioneered by Henry Ford).

• Planned obsolescence: designing products to wear out so consumers buy more.

What were the transformed working conditions in the late 1920s?

• Shorter hours and better wages for many industrial workers.

• More leisure time for entertainment and consumer spending.

• Rise of unions and improved safety standards.

Why was the Model T the perfect symbol for the 1920s and what was its impact on society?

• Affordable car that symbolized mass production and freedom.

• Boosted industries like steel, rubber, and oil.

• Transformed American mobility and suburban growth.

How did installment buying help the nation’s economy in the 1920s?

• Allowed consumers to buy goods on credit and pay later.

• Increased demand for new products.

• Also led to growing consumer debt and later economic risk.