Mobility.......

A brief history of american mobility.

Begining with the industrial revolution (which drew agrarians to the cities), really exploding with the post World War II baby boom generation, GI bill, housing and employment exponential growth, and the creation of the interstate highway system, we have become nomadic, haven't we?

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Wow, a two sentence paragraph. What a mouthful! Let me explain. The U.S. (well, once it wasn't even called the U.S., but that's another story.) began as a rural, agrarian society. Most of it's geographical area was either uncharted forest or farmland. Cities and manufacturing areas were centered either near the oceans (on the coast), or on large rivers, to ease the transport of goods for commerce. Any society based in agriculture has little movement. Families stay in an area for generations. There is no reason to relocate.

The mechanization and production of goods called the "Industrial Revolution" began to elicit a small amount of movement as people began to relocate to a fixed "job" not related to their land and property. That movement, coupled with the relocation of people westward (the pioneers) seeking new land and better lives escalated the sense of mobility among americans. The country was still rooted in agriculture and community, however. Most people spent their whole life in the town of their birth.

World War II really altered the american landscape. The entire country geared up its industrial capabilities to meet the war demands for goods and services. Whole segments of the american population (male & female) were pulled from their hometowns and sent elsewhere. The war ended, and after four years, social activity in the U.S. returned with a vengeance. Families were reunited, couples married, and many children were born.

Hence the "baby boomers" (of which I am one). The economics of the 1950's saw a demand for employment as the nation's industrial might turned toward the consumer and away from war. Those employed needed housing, automobiles and services.

By the 1950's, the nation was leaving it's agrarian roots behind. The heartland of the nation was still agricultural, but blue and white collar jobs were on the rise. Most Dads (and a few Moms) were "going to work" in an environment away from home, perhaps even away from the generational "hometown".

This expansion and movement mandated the creation of the Interstate Highway System by the federal government, which ensures fast and direct access to most geographical areas in the U.S. This, coupled with the reemergence of an american car for every family ripped away any sense of "hometown" that most of us would have. The suburbs were born. Totally manufactured, these areas were neither urban manufacturing centers of commerce, nor rural centers of agriculture: they were bedroom communities, havens to leave and return to, after work, daily. The american working man and his family were separating from their roots.

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