I recently received an email with U.S. statistics from 1907.  There was an incredulous tone to the email.  For example, in 1907, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was only 47 years (as opposed to 76 years today). 

This caused me to reflect what such an email might look like in 2107.  In other words, what might people think was curious about our culture 100 years from now?  Here are my guesses.

In 1907, 8 percent of homes had a telephone and a three-minute call from Denver to New York  City cost eleven dollars.
In 2007, only 8 percent of people had good cell phone manners and a three- minute call from Denver to New York  City was free… but only on nights and weekends.

In 1907, there were 8,000 cars in the U.S., and 144 miles of paved roads.
In 2007, there were well over 8,000 miles of paved roads… in Idaho, and some Americans actually owned 144 cars.

In 1907, Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
In 2007, Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California… with people who spoke English.

In 1907, the average U.S. Worker made between $200 and $400 a year.  A dentist made $2,500 per year.
In 2007, the average worker at McDonalds made $200 to $400 a month… to run the automatic fry machine.  A dentist charged $2,500 per set of braces after factoring in the co-pay and the taxes saved by paying with money from a flex spending account… but only if you had the right plan.

In 1907, sugar cost four cents a pound.
In 2007, the cost of sugar was irrelevant because Joe and Betty Blow were hooked on high fructose corn syrup, consuming an average of 1.25 pounds per week. 

In 1907, coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
In 2007, the inflation adjusted cost of coffee was still about fifteen cents a pound but somehow, Starbucks managed to get 6 bucks for a double double whatever whatever.

In 1907, Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
By 2007, Canada was reaping the benefits of a 100-year old financial policy when their tax rate hit 123% to help fund their national health care system.  (Okay I made this one up).

In 1907, the population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30.
By 2007, about 30 people were moving to Las Vegas every 4 hours.

In 1907, crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented.
By 2007, nobody had ever completed a New York Times crosswords puzzle, canned beer had become a weekend condiment, and ice tea was the social currency of the entire Southern U.S.

In 1907, marijuana and heroin were available over the counter at the local corner drugstore.
In 2007, marijuana and heroin were available at the local corner.

In 1907, there was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
In 2007, there were fewer Mothers who lived with Fathers.

In 1907, two out of every 10 U.S. Adults couldn't read or write.
In 2007, about three out of every 10 Americans had impaired literacy.