Original vacuum cleaner. © Science Museum

Tools, Devices, Appliances

Early 20th century central Europe, like much of the world, did not provide many opportunities for women. They were expected to become wives and mothers and as such they performed majority of the domestic duties (Freidenreich, 2002). There were several inventions in that time period designed to make such duties easier. One of the first vacuum cleaners, patented in 1901, was horse-drawn and was so large it required a long hose going from the street to the building to be cleaned. Several patents and years later a more portable vacuum was developed (Bellis, n. d.). A few of the other inventions of the time included the dishwasher (1872), invented by Josephine Cochran, the telephone (1876), electric washing machine (1901), and the typewriter (1875) (Timeline, 2001-2016). Reception of these new technologies was not always with positive or swift acceptance. The book Female, Jewish, and Educated : The Lives of Central European University Women depicts several women’s experiences such as Frieda Gotthelft Sichel, German economist, who was born in 1889. She describes the cutting-edge changes made to her childhood home:

All the most modern conveniences, such as hot and cold running water in the main bedroom, which emptied into a bucket under the basin, caused quite a sensation. Gas light soon replaced paraffin lamps and at the turn of the century the house was modernised even more by the installation of electricity throughout. . . . I clearly remember the sensation when a telephone with an adjustable mouthpiece was installed on a wall of the passage. As the telephone number, 641, indicates we must have been amongst the earliest subscribers to this means of communication (Freidenreich, 2002 p. 20).

Henrietta Magnus Necheles, German physician, noted her middle-class neighbors’ unfavorable reaction to her family keeping up with the times, “Vacuum cleaners and steam heat were considered unhealthy, just like electric lighting. When we had electric lights put in people were very upset, they regarded my father as extravagant and money wasting” (Freidenreich, 2002, p. 20).

Austrian Culture

Middle class women in early 1900’s central Europe were brought up in strict environments where manners were instilled and parents were to be respected. They were also expected to show “restraint in behavior at all times, but especially in public places”. Discussion about money was improper and keeping up appearances and social engagements was of utmost importance (Freidenreich, 2002, p. 19).

Much of the Austrian population was comprised of working class and farmers, but Vienna was a large cultural hub (Austria, 2016). Free time was spent going to cafes to “chat, eat, read, work, play, gamble, and discuss” (Coffeehouse Culture, n. d.). Also the middle class would go to museums, art galleries, and theaters. Traditional food includes wiener schnitzel, torte, apple strudel, dumplings, and goulash.

German Culture

During this time period, the turn of the 20th century, Germany was experience great change. Women were becoming more visible in the social and political arena and gained the right to vote in 1919 with the formation of Germany’s new constitution. Unfortunately, these changes did not last due to the Nazi presence at the time. The roles of women actually made a drastic reversal and once again, they were expected to be back in the home taking care of their husbands and children. Once Hitler was officially in power, he placed many harsh restrictions on women in the workforce. He believed that women had a biological place which was to produce offspring and take care of men. (Zagula, 1991, p. 56).