Era Vault Press

Health

Before WebMD, There Was Worry and a Worn-Out Encyclopedia: How Americans Once Navigated Their Own Health

Before you could Google your symptoms at midnight, Americans relied on a patchwork of family wisdom, overworked doctors, and outdated pamphlets to make sense of their health. The shift to instant medical information has been one of the most quietly profound changes in everyday American life — and it came with both remarkable gains and some real losses worth acknowledging.

Mar 13, 2026

Technology

From Fortune to Pocket Change: The Astonishing Price Drop of Consumer Electronics Over 70 Years

A brand-new color TV in 1954 would set you back the equivalent of a used car today. Early cell phones cost more than a semester of college tuition. Trace the jaw-dropping journey of consumer electronics prices — adjusted for inflation — and you'll never look at your $300 smartphone the same way again.

Mar 13, 2026