Princess Elisabeth Helene, Margravine of Meissen

What people wore

Everyday and Festive Rural Dress

While festive rural attire often included traditional pieces like buckled shoes, white stockings, and specific vests, ordinary people's everyday clothes were made of durable fabrics meant to be easily washed. Poorer children in particular sometimes had to go without shoes entirely.

Getting around

Railways dominated long-distance travel by 1914

By 1914, Germany had one of the world's densest railway networks, which by then far outperformed road transport in both speed and cost for long-distance travel. Express trains reached speeds of 90 to 100 kilometers per hour, allowing travel from Berlin to Munich in a significantly reduced time compared to previous eras.

At the table

Alcohol Consumption Among Children

In many households, children drank beer as part of their daily diet, with some reports noting that even 12-year-olds consumed a glass of beer. In rural areas, children were sometimes given diluted wine, which was believed to help them grow and develop facial hair.

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

Crowded urban living conditions

Many urban families lived in crowded tenements called Mietskasernen, where up to six people often shared a single room that served as a kitchen, living area, and bedroom. Toilet facilities were typically located in the courtyard or on an intermediate floor.

What it cost

Household costs and coffee prices

At the turn of the century, a simple wooden chair cost around 3.75 Mark, which was less than the price of one kilogram of coffee at 4.15 Mark.