1900s Everyday Life

Home
1900s Everyday Life

What life was really like in the early to mid 1900s by people who were there News and comment on ‘Join me in the 1900s’.

a website on what life was really like in the UK in the early to mid 20th century by people who were there

16/09/2023

I am pleased to say that my idea of writing occasional posts on aspects of my website has generated a lot of interest. So here is the second of such posts which is still in the series about people’s use of phones over time. Episode 1 was on candlestick phones, and this episode, Episode 2, is on red public phone boxes that our parents – and maybe you – will have used.
[S1:E2] Red public phone boxes worked on the ‘Button A Button B’ system and could be found on the streets in the mid-20th century. You can see from the picture how they got their name. There is more about what they were and how people used them on https://www.1900s.org.uk/1940s50s-public-phones.htm

01/08/2023

I have responded by private message to all sorts of queries which have generated a lot of thank you messages in return, but I am told that I don’t showcase my expertise widely enough. So I am trying out the idea of writing occasional posts on aspects of it. The first of such posts is below: Series 1 will be on people’s use of phones over time, and Episode 1 is on candlestick phones. Whether or not I shall continue with these posts will depend on how they are received, but if you have any other ideas on ways of publicising what I do, I should be pleased if you would message me. Just to remind you, for the sort of help that I give from my existing database, there is no charge.
[S1:E1] Candlestick Phones that our great grandparents, might have used
Candlestick phones could be found in the homes of the wealthier classes and in public places during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can see from the drawing how they got their name. There is more about what they were, how people used them and their advantages and disadvantages on https://www.1900s.org.uk/1920s1940s-candlestick-phones.htm

30/05/2023

I have recently updated the page on old Sainsburys shops which may interest you. www.1900s.org.uk/1940s50s-sainsburys.htm

01/05/2023

I hope you enjoy your May Day. I wonder if it was more fun when I was a child nearly 80 years ago. The photos show the crowning of the school May Queen and dancing round the maypole in the playground, but I have more photos including those from earlier in the last century – see www.1900s.org.uk/1900s-may-day.htm

14/08/2022

The Polio virus has been found in sewage from London recently. It is an extremely nasty disease which could maim for life and which most people alive today won’t remember. I remember it from the 1940s – see 1900s.org.uk/1940s50s-polio.htm

26/06/2022

In view of the price rises of fuel, I thought you might like to know more about when our gas came from coal, of which the UK still has plenty – see www.1900s.org.uk/1900s-1960s-gasometers.htm. The gas was stored in huge containers called gasometers.

01/05/2022

May Day at school in the 1940s, when May Day was celebrated the old way. Read about dancing round the may pole and being crowned May Queen, described by someone who really was crowned the school May Queen. www.1900s.org.uk/1940s-edgware-school-mayday.htm .

27/02/2022

I’ve managed to get hold of images of more clothes showing the WW2 utility mark. Here is one of them. For more, see www.1900s.org.uk/1940s50s-utility-merchandise.htm .

12/02/2022

Have you seen this mark on old clothes, shoes or furniture etc? It was called a utility mark and meant that the item satisfied austerity requirements in manufacture in WW2. If you see it I would appreciate a photo showing what it’s on. It would be for a page on my website www.1900s.org.uk/1940s50s-utility-merchandise.htm. PS I don’t take photos from the internet for copyright reasons.

09/01/2022

With coronavirus infections in London at 1 in 10, I thought you might be interested in this www.1900s.org.uk/pandemic-deaths.htm

06/12/2021

This WW2 poster of kissing through gas masks reminds me of touching elbows in the pandemic.

Address

Website

https://www.1900s.org.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when 1900s Everyday Life posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum?

Country:

City: