By the Numbers in 1973
World Population
—
UK Life Expectancy
56.4 years
US Life Expectancy
56.9 years
Gold Price (per oz)
$209.21
Dow Jones Index
876
US National Debt
—
Sovereign Nations
135
How Much Did Things Cost in 1973?
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £9,942 | $32,500 |
| Average salary | £2,200 | $10,800 |
| Pint of milk | 5p | $0.37 |
| Loaf of bread | 12p | $0.27 |
| Dozen eggs | 30p | $0.78 |
| Pint of beer | 15p | $0.80 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 38p | $0.39 |
| Cinema ticket | 40p | $1.75 |
Technology and Inventions in 1973
Xerox PARC developed the Alto, an experimental personal computer with a graphical user interface, though it never reached consumers. The Ethernet networking concept was invented at Xerox PARC. Concorde made its first transatlantic crossing, and barcodes were being standardised for retail use.
- ● Xerox PARC develops the Alto personal computer prototype
- ● Ethernet invented by Robert Metcalfe at Xerox PARC
- ● Motorola demonstrates the first handheld mobile phone prototype
- ● The Universal Product Code (barcode) is standardised for retail
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