Thread: Inflation Calculator

I was actually searching the adjusted for inflation cost of a phone call in 1899 (50 cents a minute for a call placed in LA going to SF). Then I realized that the inflation calculator might be useful for razor prices that we either see in an old add or which we try get some idea of what someone actually paid for... say for a razor made in 1860. Probably add to this a quick search about annual income...so if interested: Tom's Home Page
The guy has a copyright for the calculator.

I have done that before, it is fasinating to me! I thought I was the only one who did that lol

You have to realize that technology makes a big difference. Many things that cost a mint years ago cost next to nothing these days even comparing them toe to toe. So you can't just look at the price of a razor in say 1910 prices as compared to 2015 prices. Thing don't increase at a linear rate. Many other factors through variables into the mix.

I love the "frequently asked questions": What if I don't trust the government inflation figures?

Well then, use the medical industry inflation figures data set. God knows *they* have no reason to lie to us...!



James.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You have to realize that technology makes a big difference. Many things that cost a mint years ago cost next to nothing these days even comparing them toe to toe. So you can't just look at the price of a razor in say 1910 prices as compared to 2015 prices. Thing don't increase at a linear rate. Many other factors through variables into the mix.

Roger that, there are so many variables that it is impossible to bring the reality of a given moment in time forward to the present...the inflation calculator seems like an information multiplier, enough to get you to ponder...
you can put the variables wherever you want.

Back in the day before we had a phone (early 50s) the whole family would trundle down to the post office to call my grandparents In ohio
Just once a year, was 10 cents per min..
when we finally got phone service,we had party lines,anyone remember those?

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Back in the day before we had a phone (early 50s) the whole family would trundle down to the post office to call my grandparents In ohio
Just once a year, was 10 cents per min..
when we finally got phone service,we had party lines,anyone remember those?

Definitely remember party lines, with each household having a special ring....and I recall the untoward eavesdropping! Black phones heavy as hell. I'll have to do a search on the history of telephones. Those black phones, while heavy, were ergonomically superior to anything since. Of course I can't prove that
When I was a whippersnapper, there were still some phone booths around that were beautifully crafted wood (memory can be a little tricky) and a mouthpiece that was separate and stationary from the handheld listening part. Do you remember those? This is the earliest phone I remember my family having: Thermoplastic Northern Electric model 302, the workhorse

I had a four way party line in the late 70's. My ring was 3 rings repeated. I could get 4-way gab fest with my neighbors.

Geezers' Inflation Calculator.. After 10 years of fairly comfortable retirement...the saving's ability to pay the necessities shrinks fast.

~Richard

Originally Posted by jmercer

I had a four way party line in the late 70's. My ring was 3 rings repeated. I could get 4-way gab fest with my neighbors.

So you rang people who lived next door to you, sounds like an archaic version of a group of teenagers sitting next to each other on a bench face booking each other.