It was the late 1860s, the war that devastated our nation from within and changed how most Americans felt about what it means to be an American, and with the end of this devastating war came progress. reconstruction was being debated upon and the nation as a whole was changing but there was one constant that every worker needed, and what would help hold our nation together in common interest; ENTERTAINMENT!
This was an opportune time for all the old leisure pastimes and new ones to spring up and make a difference in the nation's culture and this was the moment when one of the greatest widely believed American pastimes would get its largest growth burst! If you haven't figured it out, I’m talking about Baseball of course. It wasn't the only way someone could spend their free time happily, but baseball was one of the pillars of national entertainment, and still holds ground today! Though it is unclear when baseball began, but before 1860s it was for the most part a game for gentlemen, a small leisurely activity for after working hours. During the 1860s and definitely after the civil war it began to rise. What began as small sandlot games to pass the time grew into forms of entertainment, whether you played it, or simply wanted to watch. Set regulations and rules began to form, and organized matches between separate teams began to take place. most workers only had 66 working hours a week that would leave plenty of free time to enjoy yourself, and relax, maybe have a meeting with your work friends our bring your family. This didn’t just apply to baseball of course, but it was definitely becoming incredibly popular amongst each of the states.
Baseball wasn't without its flaws, but not originating from itself. the civil war had only just ended and though African Americans were now free, and slavery has been outlawed, it was still a very racist country and when the national league of baseball started in 1876, color barriers were obvious and definitely a problem. Because of these barriers, not all athletes, no matter how talented they were then others who got the positions on the team, were passed on because of their race. Moses Fleetwood Walker would be the first African American Major League Baseball player, in 1887, eight years after the Major League was born, and broke the barrier for more African American organized baseball players. In many ways this helped the country better itself and he will always be remembered for this.
Of course baseball wasn't the only form of entertainment that grew in the upper 1800s. There were sports such as Football which today has in some ways become equal and other ways overshot the popularity of baseball, basketball, which was invented in 1881, which enabled athletic competition in winter months, boxing which became more respectable and honorable to the public with the invention of boxing gloves, and croquet and tennis. with faster travel came traveling shows and fairs, where families can go and have a great time and see the most amazing talents, like "The Greatest Show on Earth!" the Ringling bros circus! A historical landmark in entertainment history to say the least.
Vaudeville theaters began to pop up starting with the first in 1881, where audiences can watch many different talented acts for three hours each night. There were at least one in every city! And of course who can forget Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show! It was a show run by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, where people could see cowboy's in the same admiration as he did. Of course being amongst that time (in the late 1800s) it was a lot more authentic in the beginning, with real buffalo, recruited cowboys and cowgirls, and if it wasn't for his entertaining
shows and vision of the cowboy, we may never have seen them the same way we do today. by the end of the 19th century, he had given respect to the term Cow-boy from all those he entertained.
What is truly amazing is how much these sports and shows have driven our nation's early economy. Massive stadiums built for the sole purpose of giving people a view of our favorite teams going toe to toe with each other in competitive athletic sports! The Vaudeville theaters were one of America's first Chain industries. Supporting people's talents and entertaining the masses while driving the economy further still! Let us not forget the
Railroads though, who boomed further in business once they were complete as people wanted to travel to see these shows and games! It is from this era that i believe entertainment has begun to shape our economy and culture in a bran new way!
Not all advances in recreational activities and entertainment were huge flashy shows or big events of any sorts. For example one of the most used non electrical inventions to date was born in this gilded era of history, the modern Bicycle. Though "it's not possible to attribute the invention to any one person" it has wildly changed the course of history. The original design was called the Velocipede and was invented long before this era, and while allowed for much greater speeds, the larger wheel in the front and the small ones in the back proved to be a dangerous method of travel. In 1863 the design was improved in a workshop in Paris and the owner of the designs (though who really constructed them is up for debate) moved to the state of Connecticut where he received the patent for the plans and in 1868, two brothers improved the plans once more. At this point they were not worth the trouble yet due to bulkiness and so it wasn't until 1870s when the design was improved again in England this time that Americans gained full interest, importing the machines and mass producing them in factories. Riding schools began to form and paths were made specifically for bicycles. Sadly adults didn't have enough interest and they became the playthings of children for the next many decades
any one of us could look around today and tell that all of these things have shaped our lives and continue to! Hundreds of people still pile into those large stadiums to watch their favorite sports, with as much loyalty to their favorite teams as they have for their own country. For some even more so! It's just so amazing to see people this way! Talent shows on television and entertainment in clubs would be much different if it wasn't for the Vaudeville theaters that dotted our countries map at one time! Also think about bicycles, which allow for a way for us to get around without the need of gas money, exercise, and even compete with one another. Imagine hundreds of people, each on their own bike, covered in professional gear, and in the best shape of their lives, racing to the same destination. Now imagine if the bike was never created, and all of these things were gone. Where would we be now if theater, sports, and recreational vehicles were never formed!
But also, let us not forget the economic advantages these seeds in our nation's entertainment history had sparked. Being a professional entertainer or athlete now meant a new thing since this gilded age, with people earning money just from these talents and of course all the money earned by the owners and sponsors of these teams, stadiums, theaters, and competitions. Entertainment drives our economy and it’s not a bad thing at all. This was by far one of the most influential times of American History and I’ll back that statement up even in the grave.
This was an opportune time for all the old leisure pastimes and new ones to spring up and make a difference in the nation's culture and this was the moment when one of the greatest widely believed American pastimes would get its largest growth burst! If you haven't figured it out, I’m talking about Baseball of course. It wasn't the only way someone could spend their free time happily, but baseball was one of the pillars of national entertainment, and still holds ground today! Though it is unclear when baseball began, but before 1860s it was for the most part a game for gentlemen, a small leisurely activity for after working hours. During the 1860s and definitely after the civil war it began to rise. What began as small sandlot games to pass the time grew into forms of entertainment, whether you played it, or simply wanted to watch. Set regulations and rules began to form, and organized matches between separate teams began to take place. most workers only had 66 working hours a week that would leave plenty of free time to enjoy yourself, and relax, maybe have a meeting with your work friends our bring your family. This didn’t just apply to baseball of course, but it was definitely becoming incredibly popular amongst each of the states.
Of course baseball wasn't the only form of entertainment that grew in the upper 1800s. There were sports such as Football which today has in some ways become equal and other ways overshot the popularity of baseball, basketball, which was invented in 1881, which enabled athletic competition in winter months, boxing which became more respectable and honorable to the public with the invention of boxing gloves, and croquet and tennis. with faster travel came traveling shows and fairs, where families can go and have a great time and see the most amazing talents, like "The Greatest Show on Earth!" the Ringling bros circus! A historical landmark in entertainment history to say the least.
What is truly amazing is how much these sports and shows have driven our nation's early economy. Massive stadiums built for the sole purpose of giving people a view of our favorite teams going toe to toe with each other in competitive athletic sports! The Vaudeville theaters were one of America's first Chain industries. Supporting people's talents and entertaining the masses while driving the economy further still! Let us not forget the
Not all advances in recreational activities and entertainment were huge flashy shows or big events of any sorts. For example one of the most used non electrical inventions to date was born in this gilded era of history, the modern Bicycle. Though "it's not possible to attribute the invention to any one person" it has wildly changed the course of history. The original design was called the Velocipede and was invented long before this era, and while allowed for much greater speeds, the larger wheel in the front and the small ones in the back proved to be a dangerous method of travel. In 1863 the design was improved in a workshop in Paris and the owner of the designs (though who really constructed them is up for debate) moved to the state of Connecticut where he received the patent for the plans and in 1868, two brothers improved the plans once more. At this point they were not worth the trouble yet due to bulkiness and so it wasn't until 1870s when the design was improved again in England this time that Americans gained full interest, importing the machines and mass producing them in factories. Riding schools began to form and paths were made specifically for bicycles. Sadly adults didn't have enough interest and they became the playthings of children for the next many decades
any one of us could look around today and tell that all of these things have shaped our lives and continue to! Hundreds of people still pile into those large stadiums to watch their favorite sports, with as much loyalty to their favorite teams as they have for their own country. For some even more so! It's just so amazing to see people this way! Talent shows on television and entertainment in clubs would be much different if it wasn't for the Vaudeville theaters that dotted our countries map at one time! Also think about bicycles, which allow for a way for us to get around without the need of gas money, exercise, and even compete with one another. Imagine hundreds of people, each on their own bike, covered in professional gear, and in the best shape of their lives, racing to the same destination. Now imagine if the bike was never created, and all of these things were gone. Where would we be now if theater, sports, and recreational vehicles were never formed!
But also, let us not forget the economic advantages these seeds in our nation's entertainment history had sparked. Being a professional entertainer or athlete now meant a new thing since this gilded age, with people earning money just from these talents and of course all the money earned by the owners and sponsors of these teams, stadiums, theaters, and competitions. Entertainment drives our economy and it’s not a bad thing at all. This was by far one of the most influential times of American History and I’ll back that statement up even in the grave.
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| Fenway Park: The first Major League Baseball Stadium. Built 1912 |
