1911

What Was Happening in 1911

Pageantry and peril — a lavish coronation, a triangle fire, and the race to the South Pole.

Born in

By the Numbers in 1911

World Population

UK Life Expectancy

48.7 years

US Life Expectancy

49.4 years

Gold Price (per oz)

$20.65

Dow Jones Index

87

US National Debt

Sovereign Nations

52

How Much Did Things Cost in 1911?

ItemUKUS
Average house price£260$3,250
Average salary£72$580
Pint of milk2d
Loaf of bread2½d
Dozen eggs1s 2d33¢
Pint of beer2d

Technology and Inventions in 1911

Automobiles were becoming more reliable and affordable. The first airmail was carried in India. Refrigeration was beginning to change food storage, and the self-starter for cars was being developed by Charles Kettering at General Motors.

  • Roald Amundsen's team reached the South Pole using cutting-edge sledging equipment
  • Charles Kettering invented the electric starter motor for automobiles
  • The first official airmail flight took place in Allahabad, India
  • Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconductivity

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More About 1911

What Was Happening — A journey through the years