Out of the ashes of World War 1, a new world emerged. This new era in history manifested itself in different ways throughout the globe but in almost every nation, society changed in the wake of the most devastating war humanity had endured up until that point. Even before the war, industrial revolutions were speeding up the economies of most major countries, fundamentally changing their economic systems. In America, kicking off with the 1920's a consumer based society began to take hold. Throughout the next 30 years, the modern consumer society matured through a process of trials and tribulations. By the 1950's, it had evolved into the system that we know today.
             On the heels of a short depression directly proceeding the war, American society experienced the boom of the 20's. Industry grew in leaps and bounds as new technologies became part of the American experience. With an average 33% increase in salaries, Americans found themselves with a disposable income and they were buying up these new products at a tremendous rate. The home, which in years past had been responsible for producing much of its own goods became consumer based, relying on industry to supply more and more of its necessities. With radio, a national media was created to support this system. While many saw radio's primary function as entertainment, it was advertising that paid the bills and kept stations on the air. It can be argued that the primary function of radio (and later television) was in fact to advertise products, thereby propelling the new consumer economy. But the new mass media did more than advertise and entertain; it created a national culture did!
             not exist before the 1920's. Syndication meant that from coast to coast, people were listening to the same thing. The growing movie industry worked in the same fashion. No matter who nor where, all American's began to laugh at the same
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