A Moment In Time 1903

A Moment in Time
An American Family 1903
40.64 x 50.8 cm
Oil on canvas
In private collection

At 1/100 of a second, the photo of which this painting was created from, captured a moment within the entire history of the universe. Hard to comprehend how such a finite speck of life captured in such an unknown space we live in.

The family in the painting are my great grandfather and mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncle.

What were they thinking that day? What was the day like?

Great Granddad (August) was born from German immigrants. Great Grandmom (Caroline) was a daughter of Polish immigrants.

They met and married in the US.

August Miller learned carpentry and built the home they lived in for years. No running water, no bathroom yet.

Both decided to open a business (Millers Meat Market). The four acre farm cost $25 per acre. Great granddad specialized in selling ham meats. Travelled to and from Philadelphia to buy meats. He built an ice house to keep meats fresh.

President: Theodore Roosevelt (R-New York)

1903 was marked by groundbreaking achievements in aviation, automotive industry, international politics, and cultural milestones that shaped the 20th century.

What It Cost in 1903

In 1903, prices were much lower than today, but they still reflected the economic conditions of the early 20th century. Here’s a snapshot of common goods and services from that year:

Prices

Food and groceries

• Bread (loaf) – 6 cents

• Bag of flour: about 12 cents

• Steak: roughly 13 cents per pound
  But, the quality of meats were suspect at that time.

• Milk: about 10-12 cents per quart

• Eggs (dozen) – 14-15 cents

Clothing

• Shirt: around $1.00

• Dress: about $10–$12

• Shoes: $2–$3

Housing

• Average home cost: $3,000 - $4,000

Transportation

• Train ride (short regional trip) – 5 cents per ride, long-distance fares were higher

• Transportation: A gallon of gasoline was about 10–12 cents,

• Ford Motor Company Founded: Henry Ford incorporated Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903, revolutionizing automobile production and mass manufacturing

• First Powered Flight: On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers achieved the first controlled, powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, launching the era of modern aviation

• Tsiolkovski’s Rocket Equation: Konstantin Tsiolkovski published his rocket equation, laying the foundation for modern astronautics and space exploration

• Cultural and Social Milestones

• Teddy Bear Invented: Morris Michtom created the first Teddy bears in February 1903, inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt

• The Great Train Robbery: Premiered in 1903, this film revolutionized cinema with innovative storytelling.

Sports and Entertainment

• Inaugural World Series: The Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, establishing baseball’s championship tradition.
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Notable Births

• Lawrence Welk: Born March 11, 1903, the musician and entertainer who would become famous for his television show.

  
  
  

Over the long term, from 1903 to 2026, the dollar’s purchasing power dropped dramatically — $100 in 1903 would be worth about $3,794.52 in 2026.

Some notes of that period to give you an idea of what life was during that year. But, the time spent on earth building a family end. Generations like me continue until the end. Universe life goes on until?