The textbook referred to the 1920's as the "roaring twenties". During this time period there was an "explosion of image and sound making machinery that came to dominate" a great deal of American life. The movies, radio, journalism, advertising, and the recording industry experienced drastic changes during the 1920's. These major changes justify the name the "roaring twenties". The newly established mass culture set a new "norm" for society. The media established new national standards for our culture- dress, language, sounds, habit, and social behavior. However, some Americans felt that these changes were appalling. These people believed a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferred gradual development to abrupt change.
             The early movie industry consisted of short movies and was always either Westerns, slapstick comedies, melodramas or travelogues. However, the movie industry experienced an intense change. Large studios began dominating the business with longer and more expensive feature films. These movies generally had sexual themes, celebrated youth, athleticism and the liberating power of consumer goods. This might not have caused such a tumult if not for the youth of America. These young people looked at these movies and mimicked things about them; dresses, hairstyles, manner of speech, and even how to kiss. Many Americans worried about the effect these movies had on traditional sexual morality. Several states established censorship boards to screen movies prior to their release.
             Radios also became popular during the 1920's. In 1923 about 600,000 Americans bought radios. The programs included live music, the playing of phonograph records, talks led by college professors, church services, and news and weather reports. There were nearly 600 licensed stations across the country. Radio broadcasting brought together a national community of listeners, however wirele
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