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automotive
This allowed for the family to get around, ultimately allowing for errands and other tasks to come easier. -
Chrome, metal, and glass infiltrated homes
Sleek, modern, and curved homes. These helped with the overall look of a home and helped with socialization. -
Pianos
They provided entertainment for the family before TVs and radios came out. It gave them more to do in their free time. -
indoor plumbing
Made it easier and more efficient so families could have things like bathrooms in their houses. I am sure that helped a tremendous amount in the winter and during storms! -
electricity
Electricity helped the family with a lot of things, but mainly they could use electric to light their houses. -
television
Drew families out of the kitchen and into the living room for more "family togetherness". -
laundry equipment
Families no longer needed to do laundry outside the old fashioned way of a wash bucket and did not need to be taken out to be hung to dry anymore (saved time and energy). -
Swanson TV Dinner
This was a full meal that only took 25 minutes to cook and only $1 to buy. It "allowed them to eat in a modular way rather than taking portions from bowls and platters that were passed around the table" (Goldsmith 40). It also made things more efficient for the typical housewife that had many other tasks to juggle. -
fondue pots and barbecue pits outside
These were more items that made the family meals more diverse and out of the ordinary. They also helped with family togetherness by bringing the family close for a meal that is different than what they might have been used to. -
computers, cell phones, and the internet became more advanced
These advancements helped with keeping adults and especially kids occupied. In some cases, they made things more efficient, but also drew the family apart. That is because with these things, family members can be individual and entertain themselves. -
standard microwave oven, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher
These were updated to a more convenient form. Functions became much easier to operate, so they are just adding to the convenience for the family. Mothers and wives around this time began working more, so when they would get home, they could throw something in the microwave for the family. It was the same way with the other improved appliances. -
proliferation of laptops
This allowed for families and more specifically, working adults to complete they work more efficiently by being able to move around with a computer.