Knauz AutoPark

About life in the US when we started the Knauz Dealerships

1934 saw the turning point in the great depression in America with unemployment decreasing to 22%. But in other parts of the world some of the political changes occurring would cause the next world war, in Germany Adolf Hitler declared himself the fuehrer (ultimate ruler), in Russia Stalin began his massacres and in China Mao Tse-Tung spread the communist doctrine. The further weather drought problems in the US Midwest continued in 1934 and some 35 million acres of farmland were utterly destroyed and a further 225 million acres were in danger. The president set up public works around the US including bridges, roads and flood control Dams in an attempt to put America back on its feet. The FBI had considerable success ending the careers with celebrity criminals and John Dillinger, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson.

How much things cost in 1934

Average Cost of new house $5,970.00
Average wages per year $1,600.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents
Average Cost for house rent $20.00 per month
A loaf of Bread 8 cents
A pound of Hamburger Meat 12 cents
Studebaker Truck $625.00
Arrow Mens Shirt $2.50

What Events Happened in 1934

Near their hide-out in Black Lake, Louisiana, FBI men ambush bank robbers on May 23rd Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow and fire, killing them.
Following the depression worldwide dictatorships are established in Brazil and Bolivia
Oklahoma experienced a ravaging drought with temperatures reaching 117 degrees in the summer of 1934 After 2 years of near drought conditions causing further crop failure and many farms going bankrupt with more land turning from fertile soil to a dust bowl
The USSR joins the League of Nations
Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapper "Bruno Hauptmann" arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder
Congress pass the Jones-Connally Farm-Relief Act to help Struggling Farmers
Securities Exchange Act passed establishing Securities Exchange Commission (SEC)
Inner City Slum Clearance begin in New York and other major US Cities
Josef Stalin purges opposition
The Loch Ness Monster is spotted for the first time
Alcatraz federal penitentiary known as "The Rock" opens
The First Ever general strike in the US
Italy wins the 1934 World Cup in Italy defeating Czechoslovakia
Sir Oswald Mosley and Black-Shirt fascist followers are put on Trial following mass brawling at a political rally
Adolf Hitler declares himself the fuhrer Of Germany after becoming President and Chancellor August 2nd

Technology

The Sikorsky S-42 was the first real transoceanic flying boat and had it's maiden flight
The Flying Scotsman becomes the first steam locomotive to be officially recorded at 100 mph.
The Luxury Liner Queen Mary is launched in Scotland

Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )
Catseyes England by Percy Shaw - for lighting roads
Trampoline George Nissen and Larry Griswold

Popular Culture
John Herbert Dillinger (Public Enemy Number 1) bank robber dies after a shoot out with the FBI outside Chicago


Donald Duck appears for the first time in "The Wise Little Hen" 9th June
The Film Stand Up and Cheer, with five-year-old Shirley Temple in a relatively minor role. But she steals the show and a star is born, later in the year she goes on to sing “The Good Ship Lollipop in the film Bright Eyes
Cole Porter continues to have a string of musical hits

Born This Year
Brian Epstein September 19th
Sophia Loren September 20th
Peter Arnett November 13th