1937

What Was Happening in 1937

The Hindenburg explodes, Guernica burns, and Snow White dwarfs the competition at the box office.

Born in

By the Numbers in 1937

World Population

UK Life Expectancy

51.6 years

US Life Expectancy

52.9 years

Gold Price (per oz)

$30.67

Dow Jones Index

87

US National Debt

Sovereign Nations

56

How Much Did Things Cost in 1937?

ItemUKUS
Average house price£560$4,200
Average salary£195$1,268
Pint of milk2d$0.06
Loaf of bread4d$0.09
Dozen eggs1s$0.34
Pint of beer5d$0.15
Cinema ticket7d$0.25

Technology and Inventions in 1937

The jet engine age began with Frank Whittle's first successful test run. Television was becoming a reality in Britain, with the BBC covering the coronation. The Golden Gate Bridge opened, and commercial pressurised aircraft cabins were being developed. Nylon was patented by DuPont.

  • Frank Whittle successfully tests the first jet engine at Rugby, England
  • The Golden Gate Bridge opens in San Francisco after four years of construction
  • DuPont patents nylon, the first fully synthetic commercial fibre
  • The BBC televises the coronation procession of King George VI

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More About 1937

What Was Happening — A journey through the years