1909

What Was Happening in 1909

Blériot flew the Channel, Peary claimed the Pole, and the world grew smaller by the day.

Born in

By the Numbers in 1909

World Population

UK Life Expectancy

48.4 years

US Life Expectancy

49.0 years

Gold Price (per oz)

$20.64

Dow Jones Index

87

US National Debt

Sovereign Nations

51

How Much Did Things Cost in 1909?

ItemUKUS
Average house price£175$3,200
Average salary£62$500
Pint of milk1½d
Loaf of bread3d
Dozen eggs10d18¢

Technology and Inventions in 1909

Louis Blériot flew across the English Channel in 37 minutes. The first commercial Bakelite products appeared. Instant coffee was commercially introduced. The first newsreel service began, bringing world events to cinema audiences.

  • Louis Blériot flies across the English Channel
  • First commercial Bakelite products manufactured
  • Instant coffee introduced commercially by George Washington Coffee Company
  • First purpose-built newsreel service launched by Pathé

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More About 1909

What Was Happening — A journey through the years