Archival Anecdotes: Hear the 1920s roar

The 1920s are known as being a revolutionary time of growth and modernization, but to be honest I never really understand why. (This is when I note that I am trained as an anthropologist, not a historian.)

I was somewhat surprised to find the answer was both simple and complex: war.

World War I was an unprecedented event, no one had every seen anything like it. In an effort to articulate the vast impact this global war had on their lives, folks called it The Great War.

Worldwide, traditioaanal markets and modes of wealth were upended. While men went to battle, women found themselves working, living and playing in a man's world.

The nation's involvement in the war resulted in the loss of an estimated 116,515 men who served. Incidentally, more than half of those losses were due to the Spanish Flu (63,114). Despite victory, after the war many Americans adopted a sense of national isolation.

This led to a great proliferation of art, music and fashion made by Americans. After all, Paris was no longer the center of global fashion. Soon novel innovations like short hair and (relatively) short skirts became part of the emerging American culture. It was the sort of style that young women could coordinate with their new sense of freedom and femininity.

Fashion wasn't the only facet of American life that changed abruptly in the 1920s. Music brought the 1920s to life.

It had long been common for families to gather around the radio and listen to a program. Now they had the opportunity to enjoy a few songs as well.

According to the Eddy County Museum accession records, the Joe Gaffrey family used the Edison phonograph pictured at left and 21 recorded cylinders during the 1920s. This fully-functioning phonograph has been played during museum events in past years.

Each cylinder played one song, which was often recorded by a vocal ensemble accompanied with orchestral instruments. The collection boasts classics such as "Red Wing," "Rings on my Finger," "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," "Five Foot Two" and "Ground Hog Day at Pumpkin Center."

While I have yet to listen to these tracks, I am sure they brought many hours of joy to families all across the country.