More People

By 1910, American cities are in the early stages of a great transformation, though few people can foresee this at the time. The automobile, just arrived, will displace the horse-drawn carriage at lightning speed.

Things change rapidly. In 1900, there are only 8,000 cars registered in the entire country. Just 10 years later, there are half a million. Nothing grows that quickly, but automobiles somehow manage the feat.

Increased noise and growing traffic problems will be initially ignored. People can now go anywhere they want, anytime they want. All they need is a car, gasoline, and a good road. These will all come.
Urban autos, 1910

  Early Adopters
The photo at top left shows the first auto in Philadelphia. Just 15 years, the same street is alive with autos (other two photos). Most photos of autos from this period are taken in the city, where cameras are common. But autos quickly spread to rural areas as well, despite the muddy roads.

Urban life, 1910

  Genteel, but Exciting
New York indulges the new fascination with speed by opening a new 'speedway' track along the Harlem River. This is reserved for carriages only, and seems to be intended mainly for gentry to display themselves. Electric indoor lighting is now available almost everywhere (top right). Many factories, office buildings and even steamships have their own steam-powered generators. Shopping is becoming increasingly popular, with fleets of streetcars to help people get around.


Urban unrest, 1910

  The Price of Change
Not all the new changes in urban life are good. The working class does not share in most benefits, and begins demonstrating for better conditions. Philadelphia is hit by a strike against the streetcar company in 1910, demanding higher wages and a 10-hour limit on the workday. Management brings in strike-breakers from New York and Boston, and the unrest widens into a general strike. Police are needed to protect property.