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This is not correct. Average American height actually decreased between 1810 and 1900. It wasn't until after 1900 that we see it start to increase again. htt
by fallingfrog 4y ago
This is not correct. Average American height actually decreased between 1810 and 1900. It wasn't until after 1900 that we see it start to increase again.
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/average-height-of-men-for-selected-countries?country=~USA https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/average-height-of-men-for...
Moreover, the increase in height stagnated and even begun to fall at the beginning of the neoliberal era, even while adult heights continued to rise in the more egalitarian European countries.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-shocking https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-shocking
- WalterBright 4y agoYou might want to check out the museum at Fort Henry, which contains pre-US adult clothing. It looks like clothing for children. Then go see a Civil War museum. The uniforms look like they're for boys. George Washington was a giant in his day at 6 foot. I saw Henry 8's armor in London. Looks like it would fit a kid.
- cdot2 4y agoThe chart you included shows it begin increasing in 1890 which wouldn't seem to have anything to do with the world wars.
- fallingfrog 4y agoIt does coincide with the first wave of labor organizing, however.
- cdot2 4y agoLabor organizing was a big issue starting in the 1860/70's
- fallingfrog 4y agoIt makes sense, then, that the first generation children born after labor started winning better pay and conditions would be better nourished and taller as adults, roughly 20 years later.
- pessimizer 4y agoThe thing people leave out about the industrial revolution is that lifespans fell while working hours rose during it.
- mbg721 4y agoDoes that count American adults by birth year, regardless of where they were born? (I couldn't immediately tell from the link.) I would expect immigration trends to be a big driver during that timespan.