The U.S. Labor Force Over the Past 150 Years

Life in the late-1800s, by today’s standards, was dismal for the vast majority of the population. The average life expectancy at birth was just 45 years. Most homes had no bathrooms and no one had electricity just yet. There was no such thing as a radio, telephone, motion pictures or professional sports. Robert Gordon estimates that 87% of all jobs in 1870 could be described as unpleasant based on work conditions.1 ...