financial cycle

Long before air conditioning, telephones, gramophones, radios, and electricity became common, the early evening hours after work typically were also when those who were fortunate enough to own homes found their interiors the hottest. The front porch and a coold breeze was the only respite from the stifling conditions.

Once homes were electrified, one could own ceiling fans. Shortly thereafter came the radio - offering far more amusement than one got exchanging pleasantries with passing neighbors.

Then came the automobile; owners simply added another room to their homes, only this one was mobile. Moreover, automobiles were so exciting that from the end of the First World War until the late seveties, just bringing home the latest model drew reactions from the neighbors, who wer consumed with such envy that they too rushed out to replace their family automobile.

When room air conditioners and television started their era right after the Second World War,
keeping the windows open at night became unecessary; and there went the neighborhood. We'd
made the final passage from the front porch days, but that did'nt make people any less gregarious. It just meant that the evening entertainment was better inside the home - and with
air-conditioning, it was more comfortable too.

You may not have thought if it this way ----------------------------

Ed Wallace has received the Gerald R Loeb Award for business journalism --Sunday October 25, 2009 www.star-telegram.com Produced by Classified Advertising H