In the news1923–1927
Currency restabilization fueled economic recovery by 1927
Following the restabilization of the currency in late 1923, Germany secured 800 million gold marks in foreign loans by 1927, which helped industrial production return to 1913 levels.
Getting around
Rural goods transport by horse carriages
Despite the growth of automobiles and trucks, horse-drawn carriages remained the dominant method for transporting goods in rural areas.
At the table
Daily shopping and dishwashing routines
Because food could not be kept fresh without refrigerators, working-class housewives shopped daily for small amounts, spending at least an hour each day comparing prices. Dishes were washed in two basins pulled from under the kitchen table, using soda instead of soap and drying them with care, as there was no running warm water.
What people wore
Popular Boys' Clothing Styles
The sailor suit was the single most popular outfit for boys during this period, reflecting the Imperial German Navy's expansion. Younger boys also typically wore knickerbockers, which are trousers gathered just below the knee, often paired with short jackets.
Music
Itinerant German street bands
Itinerant German bands, often consisting of brass and woodwind players, traveled globally and performed in streets or at kur (spa) resorts for a weekly wage.
Daily life
Manual Housework and Modern Kitchens
Working-class households often lacked running warm water, requiring labor-intensive dishwashing using two basins, soda instead of soap, and drying by hand. In contrast, revolutionary designs like the Frankfurt kitchen introduced gas or electric stoves and hot water heaters to modernize and rationalize housework.