Podcast
Questions and Answers
What began to happen to the trolley systems in the US in the 1920s?
What began to happen to the trolley systems in the US in the 1920s?
General Motors secretly began to purchase trolley systems throughout the US and dismantled them.
What were GM, Mack Truck, Firestone, and Standard Oil found guilty of in 1947? What were they fined?
What were GM, Mack Truck, Firestone, and Standard Oil found guilty of in 1947? What were they fined?
What was Carl Karchner's first enterprise?
What was Carl Karchner's first enterprise?
Carl's JR
What is the connection between fast food and the automobile?
What is the connection between fast food and the automobile?
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Why did McDonald's only hire young men after it went burger fast food?
Why did McDonald's only hire young men after it went burger fast food?
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How did the Federal Government help the automobile industry?
How did the Federal Government help the automobile industry?
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Which fast food restaurant had its first store in Salt Lake City?
Which fast food restaurant had its first store in Salt Lake City?
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Who bought the rights to franchise McDonald's from Richard and Mac McDonald?
Who bought the rights to franchise McDonald's from Richard and Mac McDonald?
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What connection did Ray Kroc have with the passage of a sub-minimum wage for 16-17 year olds?
What connection did Ray Kroc have with the passage of a sub-minimum wage for 16-17 year olds?
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Which of the seven 'Juvenile Lags' described by McNeal did you use most on your parents?
Which of the seven 'Juvenile Lags' described by McNeal did you use most on your parents?
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In one year, how many TV commercials does an American child usually see?
In one year, how many TV commercials does an American child usually see?
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How much soda does the average American drink per year?
How much soda does the average American drink per year?
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Which item of fast food has the highest profit margin?
Which item of fast food has the highest profit margin?
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Study Notes
The Rise of the Automobile and Fast Food
- In the 1920s, General Motors initiated a secretive acquisition of over 100 trolley systems across the US, dismantling them to replace with GM bus lines.
- In 1947, GM, alongside Mack Truck, Firestone, and Standard Oil faced federal antitrust charges, resulting in a fine of $5,000 each for their role in the trolley takeover.
Contributions to Fast Food Culture
- Carl Karchner established the fast food chain Carl's Jr.
- Drive-In restaurants leveraged visual allure and employed “car hops” to serve food to customers in parked cars, leading to increased patronage.
Gender Dynamics in Fast Food Employment
- McDonald's opted to hire young men exclusively, believing female employees would deter their target demographic of teenage boys.
Government Support for the Automobile Industry
- The Interstate Highway Act resulted in the construction of 46,000 miles of highways, funded by over $130 billion in federal money, significantly boosting automobile usage.
Fast Food Milestones
- KFC opened its first restaurant in Salt Lake City.
- Ray Kroc acquired franchise rights for McDonald's from founders Richard and Mac McDonald.
Political Influence and Wage Legislation
- Ray Kroc's $250,000 contribution to Nixon's reelection campaign aligned with the passage of the McDonald's bill, permitting lower wages for 16-17-year-olds and allowing fast food companies to raise food prices.
Marketing Strategies to Children
- One of McNeal’s “Juvenile Lags” popularized among children is the "sugar-coated nags," which involves promising affection to parents for purchases.
- American children are exposed to over 30,000 TV commercials annually, heavily influencing their consumer behavior.
Consumption Trends
- The average American consumes approximately 56 gallons of soda per year.
- Soda represents the fast food item with the highest profit margin.
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Description
Explore the intertwined history of the automobile and fast food industries, focusing on the pivotal changes of the 1920s and beyond. Discover the contributions of key figures and the impact of government legislation on these sectors. This quiz delves into gender dynamics in fast food employment and the evolution of dining experiences.
