Out with the new, in with the old
Would you sit on a flagpole? 10 American fads from the early 20th Century
Image: Ali Bakhtiari
The early 20th century was a wild time in America, and the fads that swept across the nation were just as colorful and curious as the era itself. The world was changing for sure and teens had to find new ways to have fun and adapt to the evolving times. From that came some of the weirdest trends, and today we’re taking a look back at ten of the most popular fads that shaped the first half of the 20th century. You might even remember a few of these yourself, or perhaps you’ve heard stories from the "good old days." Let’s dive into these blasts from the past!
1
Dance marathons
Image: Ardian Lumi
Dancing has always been a praised activity for having some fun and passing the time. It’s simple and requires nothing but a music-playing device. So, back in the ‘20s, people felt the need to find a new twist for this basic entertainment and so they thought making dance marathons was a great idea.
How did they work? The concept was as simple as dancing: Couples would compete to see who could dance the longest all for a shot at cash prizes. But we’re not talking hours here—the contest could last for days! Audiences watched in fascination (and a bit of morbid curiosity, we might add) as exhausted dancers pushed their bodies to the limit. Remember, this was a time when missing out on a chance for quick money and a bit of fun was not a possibility!
2
Flagpole sitting
Image: Jonathan Simcoe
We don’t know if he was trying to break a record or if he just needed some alone time, but after Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly climbed atop a flagpole in 1924 and stayed there for over 13 hours, a new fad was born: flagpole sitting.
And speaking of basic trends, this is exactly as you read it: People all over America were climbing up and sitting on flagpoles to see how long they could stay up there. We can all agree that these people were after entertainment and a bit of competition. And it got so serious the record eventually stretched to an astonishing 49 days!
By the 1930s, though, the thrill wore off and the fad faded, but the absurdity of it all remains—and earned it a spot on this list!
3
Stickball and stoopball
Image: Jeremy Stewardson
Sports today are no longer just about playing the game. For most of them, you need a lot of equipment, which is rather expensive, especially if you’re going to use it in the streets with your friends from the block.
Back in the ‘20s, baseball equipment was hard to come by. As a result, American kids in crowded urban areas came up with their own inventive versions of the game: stickball and stoopball. The fun behind this trend? Using whatever they had on hand to play: Broomsticks for bats, rubber balls, and parked cars or stoops as bases. The games required nothing more than creativity and a few friends. And no one can deny—the 1920s were indeed a creative time!
4
Johnny on a pony
Image: freestocks
This is a trend that started in the 1940s, and the names used for this game are simply hilarious: "Strong horses, weak donkeys," "Hunch, Cuddy, Hunch," just to name a few.
Johnny on a Pony, or Buck Buck, was a rough-and-tumble game in which one team bent over to form a "horse" while the other team took turns jumping on their backs, trying to knock them over .
You may think this was innocent, but not quite—it was chaotic, sometimes painful, and, more often than not, left participants in a pile of tangled limbs.
Kids do not care for those things, but the game’s physical nature made it exhilarating and dangerous at the same time. That’s why, eventually, concerned parents and schools stepped in and banned it—one too many injuries to keep it going!
5
Drive-In movie theaters
Image: Tim Mossholder
Movie theaters are great, but drive-in movie theaters are even better—they were the ultimate fusion of America’s love for cars and entertainment.
The first official drive-in theater opened in 1933, and it was an alternative for families to a fun and affordable night out under the night sky, watching a movie from the comfort of their car . No wonder this quickly became a beloved American pastime. And you can already imagine whose favorite this was: Teens and young couples, who enjoyed the privacy of their cars while watching the latest films of the time.
The trend slowly faded as film rentals became more popular, and later with the rise of streaming platforms. However, keep an eye out for this one, because it’s definitely making a comeback!
6
Miniature golf
Image: Will Porada
Some may argue that the fad behind miniature golf never actually died, and that’s partially true. But let’s go back to the time it first appeared and all the craze that erupted around it.
It wasn’t until Garnet Carter opened his "Tom Thumb" golf course in 1927 that miniature golf became a true sensation . Located in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Carter’s course wasn’t just about putting greens; it also featured miniature goblins, gnomes, and other fun obstacles for players.
We don’t know if he knew this would be so successful, but Carter went all in: He patented the design, and it hit the jackpot—miniature golf became a nationwide success.
7
Hood ornaments
Image: Clem Onojeghuo
Funny thing about the past: You didn’t always need to be extravagant to be trendy—sometimes, just a tiny ornament on your car was enough.
In the 1920s and ‘30s, no car was complete without a stylish hood ornament adorning its radiator . At first, these ornaments were designed to check on the engine temperature. But they soon evolved into artistic expressions of each brand to showcase wealth and personality.
We all recognize the winged goddess or the jaguar jumping out of the car, right?
However, this trend didn’t last long. As car designs modernized and safety became a concern, hood ornaments became less common, and eventually, all but disappeared. If you see a car with one of these today, you can bet it’s worth more than one can get in a lifetime!
8
Kilroy was here
Image: Richard Cohrs
There are two generations: One is looking for Waldo, and the other is looking for Kilroy. Which one do you belong to? Now, if you’re wondering who Kilroy is, let us tell you.
Kilroy was a doodle, and the complete drawing consisted of Kilroy and a message that read "Kilroy Was Here." This graffiti popped up just about everywhere during World War II.
The doodle, featuring a bald, long-nosed figure peeking over a wall, was a symbol of American presence and humor. It’s said that Kilroy was originally the work of James J. Kilroy, a shipyard inspector who scrawled it on equipment he inspected.
But that was just the beginning—the drawing spread to every corner of the globe. Have you ever come across one?
9
Swing dancing
Image: Clarisse Meyer
Few things are as time-sensitive and culturally reflective of an era, don’t you think? In the early 20th century, specifically during the 1920s and 1930s, the dance that dominated every dance floor was swing . And it makes perfect sense—this was the Jazz Age, so swing dancing perfectly matched the exuberance of that music!
Dances like the Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Jitterbug took over dance halls, with young people spinning, jumping, and flipping to the infectious rhythm of big bands.
Older generations sometimes frowned upon the flashy, intimate dance styles, but that only made them more appealing to rebellious youth. Some things never change!
10
Stamp collecting
Image: Tolga deniz Aran
Philately is the collection of stamps or the study of them, and it became a fad across the United States during the 1920s and the ‘30s. Why? Here is the reason.
Stamps offered people a way to explore history, geography, and art. They were everyday items, easy to access, and nobody could escape them. For example, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was an avid stamp collector. Not that he needed them to learn about history or art—it was just a way to have fun.
Contrary to other trends we have discussed, schools encouraged this hobby, because it was both educational and enjoyable. Collecting stuff is a never-ending trend; there are all kinds of collections today and stamp collections today are almost invaluable!
