What It Was Like To Be Filthy Rich 100 Years Ago

In the 1920s, the Western world experienced an era of economic prosperity and socio-cultural shift. While the so-called "Roaring Twenties" were felt in many parts of the West, they were especially evident in — and most commonly associated with — the United States. The way the Roaring Twenties has been represented in popular culture, particularly in prominent literary works such as "The Great Gatsby," has created a nigh-indelible image of liveliness, materialism, and excess during this time of significant industrial and technological advancement. Being bookended by the First World War and the Great Depression only served to highlight the optimism in this era. The U.S.'s gross national product was on the rise, unemployment was at an all-time low, and entertainment and media experienced massi