He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
As our understanding of the world evolves, our perspectives on what is considered acceptable behavior also change. In the early 1900s, it was not expected for individuals to engage in household recycling, as showcased in this article on celebrities repeating outfits at significant events. In contrast, nowadays, it is seen as surprising if someone fails to separate their garbage. Conversely, certain actions that are widely accepted today would have been seen as horrifying a hundred years ago.
Take a look at this collection to discover the ordinary events that would have shocked people in the past century.
Reading in bed is a widely practiced habit believed to help people fall asleep; it is commonly done by many individuals nowadays.
In the 19th century, reading in bed was seen as a risky action with potential dangers. It was described as "little less than tempting God, to sport with the most awful danger and calamity which can affect ourselves and others."
Reading at night faced criticism due to the occurrence of house fires caused by the candles providing the light!
Women were not allowed to wear items of clothing considered to be for men for many centuries.
The first pants for women, called Freedom-Alls, were introduced in 1918. However, until the mid-20th century, it was socially unacceptable for women to wear anything other than skirts or dresses.
This one is still frowned upon, as teenage drivers are more likely to drive while under the influence or text at the wheel.
About 100 years back, the act of a 17-year-old driving a car was considered scandalous for another reason: taking the wheel signaled dishonorable intentions.
In 1903, when Thomas Edison electrocuted an elephant, the concept of using electricity to power homes caused understandable horror among many people.
It’s hard to imagine, but just 100 years ago hard drugs like heroin and cocaine were not only legal but actively encouraged.
Heroin was prescribed by doctors and used in cough syrups, while Sigmund Freud utilized cocaine to address depression and indigestion.
In the 18th century, these tasty fruits became known as "poison apples" when several nobles experienced lead poisoning from consuming them on pewter plates.
Tomatoes had a bad reputation for a while, with even the 19th-century poet Ralph Waldo Emerson describing them as "objects of much terror."
During the early 20th century, the introduction of cars faced criticism due to their expensive nature.
Many people did not believe that cars were a good substitute for the reliable horse and carriage, which never required tire replacements.
in 1903, the Boston Globe published an article titled ‘Colors That Will Drive the Brain to Madness.’
The article contained phrases like ""purple is the most dangerous color there is" and "dead purple will kill you eventually."
People used to consume radithor, a patent medicine made by distilling water with radioactive material, before understanding the full extent of the harm it could cause to the human body.
Eben Beyers, a well-known American steel magnate, passed away in 1932 due to radiation poisoning. An article titled 'The Radium Water Worked Fine Until His Jaw Came Off' was published in the Wall Street Journal.
In the early 1900s, it was unusual for individuals to engage in more than one weekly washing routine.
Water was frequently in short supply, and it wasn't until the introduction of indoor plumbing that individuals started washing themselves daily.
During the late 1800s, it was commonly seen as inappropriate for a woman to engage in the activity of cycling.
An article was published in 1895 by the New York World which listed a comprehensive set of guidelines for women riding bikes, such as the advice "Don’t refuse assistance up a hill."
The average life expectancy for an American man was 48.3 years in 1900. Presently, it has increased to 76.3 years.
It is becoming increasingly common for individuals to live past the age of one hundred as life expectancy continues to rise.
Until the mid-1900s, smoking was allowed in various places including restaurants, bars, and airplanes. There were no restrictions on where smokers could indulge in their habit.
Nowadays, the majority of places have banned indoor smoking, which would have been surprising to most people 100 years ago.
Nowadays, nearly everyone utilizes some type of public transportation, particularly due to the worldwide initiative to adopt eco-friendly methods of transportation from point A to point B.
In the past, trains and buses were not as widely favored. As stated in a 1912 editorial from the Chicago Sunday Tribune, the stability handles found in subway carriages "a frightful strain upon internal organs."
A hundred years ago, tattoos were associated with crime and underground society. If a woman had a tattoo, it meant she was either a prostitute or part of the circus.
Nowadays, tattoos have become widely accepted in society, and research has indicated that a greater number of women are choosing to get tattoos compared to men.
See also: The future of fitness: How tech is revolutionizing your workouts and health
15 ordinary things that were scandalous 100 years ago
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LIFESTYLE History
As our understanding of the world evolves, our perspectives on what is considered acceptable behavior also change. In the early 1900s, it was not expected for individuals to engage in household recycling, as showcased in this article on celebrities repeating outfits at significant events. In contrast, nowadays, it is seen as surprising if someone fails to separate their garbage. Conversely, certain actions that are widely accepted today would have been seen as horrifying a hundred years ago.
Take a look at this collection to discover the ordinary events that would have shocked people in the past century.