Rare Things from the Past That Are Common Now
In the 21st century, many everyday items—like tea, air travel, and mobile phones—were once expensive luxuries for the wealthy. Over time, technological advancements, mass production, and societal changes made these innovations affordable for the average person.
This list highlights 12 such items, exploring their journey from exclusivity to accessibility and how they have shaped the conveniences we often take for granted today.
Tea
In the 18th century, tea was a luxury taxed at 119%, making it affordable only for the elite. The high cost led to smuggling and iconic events like the Boston Tea Party.
The 1784 Commutation Act drastically reduced taxes, bringing tea prices down and making it accessible to everyone. Today, tea is a daily staple enjoyed by millions, particularly in tea-loving countries such as the UK, where it’s considered a cultural treasure.
Cars
Early automobiles, like the Ford Model B, were priced at $2,000—equivalent to $70,000 today. This exclusivity ended in 1908 with the Ford Model T, the first budget-friendly car costing just $850 ($27,000 today).
Mass production revolutionized transportation, making personal vehicles attainable for the average family and shaping modern life.
Radios
In the 1920s, radios cost up to $3,150 in today’s money, making them a luxury. Cheaper crystal radios offered a budget option, but sound quality was poor.
By the 1930s, mass production reduced prices dramatically to $35 ($645 today). By mid-decade, radios were common in homes and cars, symbolizing the “Golden Age of Radio.”
TVs
Early TVs like the RCA TRK-12 were exorbitant at $13,600 in today’s value. The post-war boom of the 1950s brought down costs, with 17-inch black-and-white models priced at $189 ($2,215 today).
By the 1990s, nearly every American home had a TV, and today, high-quality models are priced affordably, averaging $383 globally in 2024.
Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners were once a luxury, with models like the Hoover Model 150 costing $1,750 in today’s money in the 1930s. This meant most households relied on brooms for cleaning.
By the 1970s, models like the Singer Deluxe cost $388 in today’s value, making them far more affordable. Today, vacuum cleaners, including advanced robot versions, are accessible to nearly everyone, revolutionizing how we maintain clean and comfortable living spaces.
Air Travel
In the 1940s, air travel was prohibitively expensive, with a round trip from Boston to LA costing $5,280 in today’s money. High prices and long flight times made flying a privilege for the wealthy.
Deregulation in 1978 brought fierce competition and drastically reduced ticket prices. Today, low-cost airlines and frequent deals make air travel accessible to millions, allowing people worldwide to connect easily, explore, and conduct business affordably.
Personal Computers
The first personal computer, the IBM 610, debuted in 1957 with a staggering price of $617,000 in today’s money. By the 1980s, costs had significantly dropped, with the Sinclair ZX80 priced at $536 in today’s value, making it one of the first accessible home computers.
Today, personal computers, laptops, and smartphones are affordable and widely available. They are now an essential tool for education, work, and entertainment for people around the globe.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones started as an elite status symbol, with Motorola’s DynaTAC 8000X costing $12,100 in today’s value in 1984. This changed with the 1999 release of Nokia’s 3210, priced at $293 in today’s money.
It combines affordability, compact design, and user-friendly features, including the iconic Snake game. Nokia’s innovation brought mobile phones into the mainstream, paving the way for the smartphone revolution and the widespread accessibility we enjoy today.
Digital Cameras
The first digital camera, the Kodak DCS 100, was priced at $46,300 in today’s money, making it a tool for professionals. The Apple QuickTake in 1994 marked a turning point, and by the 2000s, digital cameras became affordable.
The iPhone revolutionized photography, making high-quality cameras a feature of everyday smartphones.
Laser Printers
HP’s first LaserJet printer, launched in 1984, cost $10,600 in today’s money, limiting it to offices and wealthy individuals. Throughout the 1990s, prices steadily dropped, and by 2000, laser printers became affordable household items.
Today, laser printers are priced as low as $120, offering quick, high-quality printing for homes, schools, and businesses. This innovation has made printing accessible and convenient for nearly everyone around the world.
Internet Access
In its early days, the Internet was costly, slow, and primarily available to wealthy institutions or individuals. By the 2000s, advances in technology and increased competition lowered prices, making high-speed internet widely accessible.
Now, the Internet is an essential utility used by billions worldwide for communication, information, and entertainment. Its widespread availability continues to connect people, transform industries, and drive the global economy forward.
Explore “50 Photos From ‘Historyfeels’ That Might Teach You More About Past“ to uncover more intriguing milestones that shaped the world we know today.
Air Conditioning
Once considered a luxury, air conditioning was initially limited to wealthy households, theaters, and upscale businesses. Early units were costly and inefficient, making them rare in homes until the mid-20th century.
Advances in technology and mass production brought prices down, and by the 1970s, window units became more common in middle-class homes. Air conditioning nowadays is a standard feature in homes, offices, and vehicles, providing comfort and improving quality of life globally.
If you want to discover more fascinating insights about everyday conveniences, check out “30 Interesting Facts About Everyday Objects.”