Century of the Leisured Masses

At the end of the 19th century, economist Thorstein Veblen wrote 'The Theory of the Leisure Class.' A century later, the economic conditions in America had changed beyond recognition. Improvements in agricultural productivity led to better nutrition and triggered improved productivity and living standards throughout the economy. American workers chose to take the benefits accruing from economic growth in the form of higher wages, shorter workweeks, better working conditions and increased leisure. This text charts the rise of leisure activities during this period. -- Provided by publisher.