Radio and Fashion: Cultural Changes in the 1920s

What is the difference between an action that drives cultural change and one that is a symptom of a cultural change? 


PART I: Radios- Technology as a Driver of Cultural Change

1) A Brief History of Broadcast Radio- Link to article here.

2) Charles "Doc" Herrold, teacher and radio pioneer from San Jose, CA


Credit: PBS

3) "Future Pastimes: Breaking the News to Her Papa -by Radio." Herbert Johnson, 1922


Credit: Digital History and the LOC

The radio inspired both wonder and fear. What is a present day equivalent?


PART II: Fashion- Style as an Expression of Cultural Change

1) "Masculine women! Feminine men!" words by Edgar Leslie, music by James Monaco, 1925

2) Lady Sybil, Downton Abbey, Season 1, Episode 4 

Interview with Caroline McCall, Costumer of Downton Abbey

 


 

from "Three Sonnets" by Edna St. Vincent Millay, 1930

I know my mind and I have made my choice;
Not from your temper does my doom depend;
Love me or love me not, you have no voice
In this, which is my portion to the end.
Your presence and your favours, the full part
That you could give, you now can take away:
What lies between your beauty and my heart
Not even you can trouble or betray.
Mistake me not -unto my inmost core
I do desire your kiss upon my mouth;
They have not craved a cup of water more
That bleach upon the deserts of the south;
Here might you bless me; what you cannot do
Is bow me down, that have been loved by you.



Is it possible that some actions, in fact most actions, are both drivers and symptoms of cultural change?

Post Script...


Is this really 1926? Where? Who? @HistoryInPics