The numerous items we take for granted in our daily lives were once “luxury” items available only to the super wealthy. A few years ago we toured an historic “mansion” in Iowa – owned by a businessman in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The living space, while ornate, was on par with many of today’s modern, large homes owned by today’s middle class.
Some of the space was taken up by a staffed kitchen (with wood burning stove) which uniquely had hot water from a wood burning water heater. Refrigeration? That was an entirely separate outdoor building assembled from massive rocks and baled hay – in to which they stored ice from a nearby frozen river to keep food cold in the summer. There was also a separate, small building for laundry – where staff did the laundry by hand. And of course, there were living spaces for household staff.
Transportation was by horse drawn cart, and eventually, a nearby railroad.
One of the household members died – of what today is 100% treatable.
Yet with all this, their lives were similar to those of how most middle class live today – with hot water, modern plumbing, refrigerators, freezers and home laundry – and gas or electric stoves in our kitchen.
Most of the US lives a life today that was considered exquisite luxury 100 to 150 years ago.
