35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era

Trista - January 26, 2025

The 1900s was a century marked by radical social changes, political revolutions, and cultural renaissances. Throughout the century, numerous cultural movements emerged, some of which have faded from popular memory. While certain trends have become iconic, there were many lesser-known but equally significant shifts in art, fashion, music, and lifestyle that played pivotal roles in shaping the social and cultural landscape of the time. Here, we explore 35 forgotten or under-appreciated trends that offer a deeper look into the human experience of the 20th century.

35. Automats: The Fast Food of the Future (1900s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era

An automat with cakes and pies at 977 Eighth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City in 1936. Source: Berenice Abbott / Wikipedia Public Domain

Automats were self-service restaurants where patrons inserted coins into machines to retrieve freshly made meals. Originating in Germany in the 1890s, they became a major part of urban American dining in the early 1900s, especially in cities like New York and Philadelphia. These mechanical cafeterias thrived until the 1960s, when fast food chains outpaced them. Today, their influence lives on in vending machines and self-service kiosks.

34. The Esperanto Craze (1900s-1910s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
It has 28 letters, but unlike the English alphabet, it doesn’t have any “c,” “q,” “w,” “x,” or “y.” Instead, it uses unique characters like “ĉ,” “ĝ,” “ĥ,” “ĵ,” “ŝ,” and “ŭ.” Source: Wikimedia Commons

Esperanto, a constructed international language, was introduced by L. L. Zamenhof 1887 and gained a devoted following in the early 20th century. Enthusiasts believed it could promote world peace by bridging linguistic divides. While Esperanto never became a global lingua franca, it still has an active community, particularly online. Its ideals of universal communication influenced later movements promoting linguistic unity and artificial languages.

33. Radium Craze and Glow-in-the-Dark Fads (1900s-1920s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Examples of radium-infused clocks from the 1900s. Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Before its dangers were fully understood, radium was marketed as a miracle element. In the early 1900s, it was infused into beauty creams, water, and even candy. Glow-in-the-dark watches, painted with radium, became popular accessories. The tragic health consequences, particularly for factory workers, led to stricter safety regulations and a reevaluation of blind faith in new technologies.

32. Hand-Tinted Photographs (1900s-1930s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
In the early days of photography, some photographers used tinted photos as a way to enhance the mood or emotion of an image, not just add color. Source: Ephemera Obscura

Before color photography became mainstream, black-and-white photos were hand-tinted with dyes to add realism and artistic flair. Popular in the early 1900s, this painstaking process turned photography into a unique blend of art and documentation. Though largely replaced by modern color photography, hand-tinting still has a niche following among art and photography enthusiasts.

31. The Rise of Home Economics Classes (1900-1970s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
A home economics class at Ann Arbor High School in April, 1956. Source: Ann Arbor District Library

Home economics classes were a significant part of American education throughout the 20th century. They taught practical life skills like cooking, sewing, and budgeting. These classes aimed to prepare young women for domestic life, focusing on self-sufficiency and responsibility. In the 1970s, however, they began to lose popularity as attitudes toward gender roles and education evolved.

30. Silent Film Stardom (1910s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Charlie Chaplin (left) stars with Harry Myers (center) in the film City Lights in 1931. Chaplin also directed the silent film. Source: 1931 United Artists Corporation, from a Private Collection

The 1910s marked the golden age of silent films, where actors like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford became international superstars. The lack of sound in movies led to exaggerated facial expressions and body language, creating a unique performance art form. Silent film stardom helped shape the modern concept of celebrity and laid the foundation for Hollywood as a cultural powerhouse.

29. The Birth of Modern Jazz (1910s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band performing in Chicago, Illinois, in 1923. Joe Oliver’s band was one of the first to feature Louis Armstrong as a cornet player in 1922. Source: Pictorial Press / Alamy

In the 1910s, jazz music emerged in New Orleans, with its vibrant rhythms, improvisation, and syncopated beats transforming American music. This genre’s rise coincided with the rapid urbanization of American cities and became a cornerstone of the cultural development of the 1920s. Jazz set the stage for the Jazz Age, influencing everything from fashion to dance and marking a pivotal shift in both music and societal norms during the era.

28. Women’s Sports Leagues and Social Clubs (1910s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Women ready to play tennis on May 31, 1922. Women’s tennis gained immense popularity, largely thanks to stars like Suzanne Lenglen and Helen Wills. Source: National Women’s History Museum

Women’s sports leagues and social clubs started to rise as women gained more visibility in the workforce and public life during the 1910s. While the century’s early years were still heavily influenced by traditional gender roles, these clubs represented an early push toward gender equality in athletics and recreation, marking the beginning of organized women’s sports in the U.S.

27. Victory Gardens (1910s-1940s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Group members of a women’s volunteer service in Flushing proudly march into their Victory Garden. Bettman / Getty Images

During both World Wars, citizens were encouraged to plant Victory Gardens to supplement food rations, reduce strain on commercial food supplies, and boost morale on the home front. These homegrown gardens, full of vegetables and fruits, helped communities stay self-sufficient during times of scarcity. Although the movement declined after the wars, it inspired modern urban gardening trends and contributed to the rise of sustainable agriculture efforts in later decades.

26. Flapper Fashion and the Birth of the Modern Woman (1920s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Mack Swain and Ruth Taylor in the 1928 version of the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Source: IMDb

The rise of the flapper style in the Jazz Age, marked by shorter skirts, bobbed hair, and bold makeup, symbolized women’s growing independence. This cultural movement pushed boundaries in fashion and societal norms, challenging traditional views of femininity. Flappers embodied a new era of freedom and self-expression, breaking away from the past and influencing the course of modern women’s rights and style.

25. The Forgotten Slang of the 1920s

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Sloppy Joe’s Bar in downtown Chicago after the repeal of Prohibition on December 5, 1933. Source: CSU Archives / Courtesy Everett

The Roaring Twenties gave birth to a unique slang used by rebellious young women called flappers. Phrases like “the cat’s pajamas” (something excellent) and “bee’s knees” (outstanding) became popular in social conversations. Giggle water was slang for alcohol, while zozzled meant you were drunk. The term the real McCoy, meaning genuine, is still used today! Though the slang faded by the 1930s, some phrases have endured, appearing in nostalgic pop culture and reflecting the free-spirited, rebellious energy of the Jazz Age.

24. Lindy Hop and Swing Dance Explosion (1920s-1940s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
The Lindy Hop, a high-energy swing dance that emerged in Harlem in the late 1920s, was named after Charles Lindbergh’s famous 1927 transatlantic flight. Source: Medium

Emerging in Harlem during the late 1920s, the Lindy Hop combined the syncopated rhythms of jazz music with energetic, acrobatic dance moves. This high-energy dance form quickly gained popularity, spreading through the United States during the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. Although swing dancing faded with the rise of rock and roll, it has experienced a revival through modern swing dance clubs, festivals, and competitions, preserving its vibrant legacy.

23. The Golden Age of Hollywood and Glamour Films (1930s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind. When the film premiered in 1939, it became the longest-running film in theaters at the time, playing for over four years in some locations. Source: MGM

In the 1930s, Hollywood’s golden age soared, with stars like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Joan Crawford captivating audiences worldwide. The glamour of the silver screen influenced fashion and beauty trends and the public’s perceptions of fame and romance. This era set the stage for modern celebrity culture, shaping how we view stardom and its impact on society’s ideals of style and allure.

22. The Forgotten World’s Fairs (1930s-1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
An image from the fascinating 1939 World Fair in New York. Source: Margaret Bourke-White The LIFE Picture Collection / Shutterstock

While the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair remains famous, numerous other expos in the 1900s left a lasting impact on society. The 1939 New York World’s Fair, with its theme “The World of Tomorrow,” introduced groundbreaking innovations such as television and futuristic superhighways. Although these events faded by the late 20th century, their spirit of technological optimism influenced future innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, inspiring ongoing advances in technology and design.

21. Zoot Suit Riots and the Pachucas (1940s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Although Mexican-American teens made this cultural fashion, they eventually became popular with all youth, including this group of black teenagers in zoot suits in 1942. Source: Wikipedia

During the 1940s, Mexican-American youths known as Pachucos and Pachucas popularized flamboyant “zoot suits” featuring oversized coats, wide lapels, and pegged trousers. This bold style was viewed as rebellious, which heightened racial tensions and culminated in the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles. The suppression of fashion became a symbol of cultural resistance, influencing later Chicano movements and shaping Latino identity in America.

20. Rosie the Riveter and Women in the Workforce During WWII (1940s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Between 1940 and 1945, the percentage of women in the U.S. workforce rose from 27% to nearly 37%, with almost one in four married women working outside the home by 1945. Source: National Memorial to the Women on the Home Front Foundation

With millions of men serving in the military during World War II, women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, taking on roles traditionally held by men. “Rosie the Riveter,” symbolized by the iconic “We Can Do It!” poster, represented women’s strength, independence, and contribution to the war effort. This cultural shift helped lay the groundwork for the women’s rights movements in the following decades.

19. Cold War Duck and Cover Drills (1950s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Bert the Turtle was a cartoon character created by the U.S. government to teach children how to protect themselves from nuclear blasts. While the effectiveness of these drills was debated, they became a defining feature of 1950s American school life. Source: Bettmann / Getty Images

In the 1950s, American schoolchildren practiced “duck and cover” drills to prepare for potential nuclear attacks, following growing fears of Cold War tensions. These drills, often depicted with a cartoon turtle named Bert, aimed to teach kids to protect themselves in case of an emergency. While ineffective against an actual nuclear attack, they symbolized the deep fears of the time and shaped a generation’s outlook on global conflict.

18. The British Teddy Boy Movement (1950s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Young men gather around for a Best Dressed Teddy Boy Competition at Nottingham, England, in 1956. Source: The Vintage News

In the early 1950s, British youth known as Teddy Boys embraced Edwardian-style suits with long jackets, slim ties, and draped trousers, heavily inspired by rock and roll music. This fashion-forward movement, which rejected post-war austerity, was one of Britain’s first notable youth subcultures. The Teddy Boys’ style laid the groundwork for later rock-inspired fashion trends, influencing the following generations and shaping youth culture in the decades to come.

17. Beatnik Coffeehouses (1950s-1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Coffee shops became informal stages for spontaneous Beat performances. In this 1959 photograph, a woman passionately recites poetry during a late-night gathering at a Greenwich Village café. Source: Bettmann / Getty Images

Before the rise of the hippie movement, the Beatniks of the 1950s were known for their love of poetry, existentialism, and jazz music. These intellectuals gathered in coffeehouses to discuss social issues, art, and philosophy. Cities like San Francisco and NewYork became hubs for this scene, which eventually laid the foundation for later countercultural movements, including the 1960s counterculture. Today’s coffeehouse culture owes much to this rebellious trend.

16. Googie Architecture: The Space Age Aesthetic (1950s-1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
There is a classic Google sign that still stands at the Elm Road Drive-In Theatre in Warren, Ohio. Source: Parametric Architecture

Emerging in the 1940s and booming in the 1950s, Googie architecture was inspired by the Space Age, featuring bold angles, neon signs, and futuristic motifs. This style, common in diners, motels, and coffee shops, symbolized America’s optimism about the future. Though many buildings were demolished, some remain nostalgic mid-century design relics.

15. Sock Hop Dances (1950s-1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
These youngsters “get hep” to the sounds of the jukebox at “The Haven,” a juvenile nightclub in Washington, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1944. Source: AP Photo

Sock hop dances were a popular social activity for teens in the 1950s and early 1960s. Held in school gyms, they encouraged energetic dancing to the latest rock ‘n’ roll hits, with dancers often removing their shoes to protect the gym floors. The sock hop became a rite of passage for young people, fostering a sense of community and a love for dance.

14. The Rise of Tiki Culture (1950s-1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
A 2017 Los Angeles exhibit known as “The Art of Tiki” explored the rise of Tiki culture in America. Source: Reuters / CodeCarvings Picard

Inspired by Polynesian aesthetics, tiki bars and décor swept through mid-century America, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s. These bars, often featuring tropical drinks and exotic décor, became symbols of escapism and leisure. Though later criticized for cultural appropriation, tiki culture had a lasting influence on cocktail mixology and exotic-themed entertainment, with elements still present in modern bar scenes and parties today.

13. Drive-In Theaters: America’s Outdoor Cinema Boom (1950s-1970s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
The first drive-in movie theater opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey, created by Richard Hollingshead. It showed Wives Beware (1932) and could hold 400 cars, charging 25 cents per car and per person for admission. Source: Drive-In Movie Theaters – Life in America / Recollection Road / YouTube

First opening in 1933, drive-in theaters exploded in popularity during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s offering families and young couples a novel, car-based way to watch films under the stars. While they declined with the rise of multiplexes and home entertainment, the nostalgic appeal of drive-ins saw a brief resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they provided a socially distant and safe alternative for moviegoers craving an old-fashioned experience.

12. Tupperware Parties (1950s-1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Tupperware was invented by Earl Silas Tupper in 1946. He created the airtight, durable plastic containers inspired by paint can lids, revolutionizing food storage. However, it was Brownie Wise, a marketing genius, who made Tupperware famous through home parties. Source: CNN

In the mid-20th century, Tupperware parties became a major social and commercial trend. Women would host home parties to sell Tupperware products, demonstrating their usefulness in food storage. These gatherings were more than just sales events—they served as a form of socializing, empowering women to become entrepreneurs and reshaping the idea of direct selling in American culture.

11. The Flower Children Movement (1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Janis Joplin embraced the free-spirited “flower child” lifestyle of the 1960s, often wearing psychedelic prints, feathers, and beads. She symbolized the era’s counterculture with her rebellious attitude, love of freedom, and soulful, electrifying music. Source: Getty Images

The Flower Children, also known as hippies, embraced peace, love, and non-conformity during the 1960s. With their distinct fashion, including tie-dye shirts and long hair, they were part of a larger countercultural movement focused on rejecting societal norms and promoting environmentalism. The Flower Children helped shape attitudes about social justice, human rights, and alternative lifestyles that continue influencing modern-day activism.

10. The Rise of the Mod Subculture (1960s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Mod women in 1960s London revolutionized fashion with their bold, androgynous styles, mini skirts, and geometric prints. Source: Byron’s Muse

In the early 1960s, the Mod subculture emerged in London. It was characterized by sharp, tailored suits, a love of modern jazz, and an affinity for Vespa scooters. Mods rebelled against the conservative culture of the time and embraced a chic, fashion-forward aesthetic. The movement, which emphasized individual style and sophistication, influenced both music (with bands like The Who) and fashion throughout the decade.

9. The Popularity of CB Radio Culture (1970s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
In Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Burt Reynolds’ character, Bandit, uses a CB radio to communicate with his partner, Cledus (the Snowman). Source: Universal Pictures

In the 1970s, Citizens Band (CB) radios became a major communication tool, especially among truckers, offering a way to stay connected while on the road. The CB radio culture introduced a unique lexicon of slang, like “Roger that,” “breaker breaker,” and “over and out,” fostering a sense of community and anonymity. It became so mainstream that it influenced music, movies, and television shows like Smokey and the Bandit. However, the CB craze faded in the early 1980s as mobile phones emerged.

8. Roller Disco Craze (1970s-1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Roller Boogie (1979) is a disco-era roller skating film that was a mix of funky dance moves and music. The movie starred Linda Blair and featured a killer soundtrack that made roller skating a mainstream craze during the late ’70s! Source: TCM

The roller disco craze combined the vibrant energy of disco music with roller skating, turning roller rinks into social hotspots in the 1970s. The fusion of flashing lights, funky music, and skate moves brought a sense of freedom and fun to the nightlife scene. The trend was immortalized in movies like Roller Boogie but faded by the 1980s, only to resurface occasionally in pop culture.

7. The Rise of Fitness Culture (1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Jane Fonda’s workout videos not only helped popularize aerobics in the 1980s but also sparked a fashion trend. Women everywhere sported high-waisted leotards, leg warmers, and headbands, making Fonda’s fitness style as iconic as her workout routines. Source: Getty Images

The 1980s saw a boom in fitness culture, thanks to the popularity of aerobics classes, home workout videos like Jane Fonda’s exercise tapes, and fitness-focused fashion (think neon leotards and leg warmers). This era ushered in the era of health consciousness, with gyms and fitness centers becoming mainstream, influencing future trends in body image and wellness.

6. The Advent of the Personal Computer (1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple Inc. and was instrumental in the creation of several groundbreaking products like the iPhone, is pictured with the Apple Lisa computer in 1983. Source: Ted Thai / The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty Images

The 1980s marked the dawn of the personal computer revolution. Computers became more affordable and accessible to the general public, and iconic machines like the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh entered homes and offices. This era laid the foundation for the digital age, radically changing how people worked, communicated, and interacted with technology.

5. MTV and the Music Video Era (1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
“Video Killed the Radio Star” was performed by The Buggles, a British new wave band. The song was released in 1979 and became a major hit, famously known as the first music video ever played on MTV when the channel launched in 1981. Source: UMG

Launched in 1981, MTV revolutionized the music industry by introducing the music video concept as a major form of entertainment. Iconic music videos, from Michael Jackson’s Thriller to Madonna’s Like a Virgin, became cultural touchstones, blending fashion, dance, and music into an all-encompassing pop culture phenomenon. MTV helped define the aesthetics and trends of the 1980s.

4. The Rise of Hip-Hop and Street Culture (1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
The group Run D.M.C. consisted of Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell. Here they are at the Montreux Rock Festival in 1987 Source: Getty Images

Hip-hop emerged as a cultural force in the 1980s, initially starting as a musical genre before expanding into fashion, art, and dance. The early pioneers, such as Run D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Grandmaster Flash, made an impact in music and so in style, with oversized clothing, gold chains, and graffiti becoming defining elements of street culture. Hip-hop shaped the cultural landscape for decades to come.

3. Video Game Boom (1980s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
In the 1980s, Nintendo became a household name, but not just for its video games! The company’s mascot, Mario, was originally a carpenter, not a plumber. His profession was changed to make him fit better with the Super Mario Bros. setting. Source: Reddit / DualCay0te

The 1980s saw the explosion of video game arcades and the rise of iconic games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Gaming became a huge part of youth culture, influencing everything from social interactions to popular media. The decade also saw the birth of gaming as a significant commercial industry, setting the stage for its dominance in the 1990s and beyond.

2. The Y2K Panic (Late 1990s)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
In preparation for the Y2K bug, Best Buy released a statement advising customers to turn off their computers to prevent potential issues as the year 2000 approached. Source: BestBuy

As the year 2000 approached, widespread concern grew over the potential failure of computer systems. The Y2K panic was fueled by the fear that many systems, which used two digits for years, would interpret “00” as 1900 instead of 2000, causing massive glitches. While the crisis proved less severe than anticipated, it prompted significant upgrades in global technology infrastructure, spurring software, hardware, and system protocol changes to prevent widespread disruptions.

1. The Lost Art of Letter Writing (1990s-Present)

35 Unknown Cultural Trends of the 1900s That Defined an Era
You’ve Got Mail (1998) is a romantic comedy about two business rivals, played by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, who unknowingly fall in love with each other through anonymous email exchanges. Set in New York City, the film explores themes of love, technology, and personal connections in the digital age. Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Before emails and instant messaging, letter writing was a cherished form of communication. People poured their hearts into long-form correspondence, from love letters to pen-pal exchanges. The decline of letter writing in the digital age marks a shift in personal communication. However, the resurgence of handwritten letters among nostalgia-seekers shows that some traditions never truly die.

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