The way people ate and drank in the 1920s reflected the changes in the way people lived and worked. The prosperity of the time came from the emergence of large corporations. Also a factor was the increased productivity of thousands of returning veterans and of women who had grown accustomed to working during the war and opted to remain employed. In families with both parents working, people had more money to spend. The extra money encouraged many to spend quickly and frivolously. The American economy shifted from a focus on thriftiness toward more consumer spending on luxuries and convenience items.

Food and drink became more than just nourishment for the body. They became treats for special occasions and refreshment. For hard-working women, the new convenience items saved precious time in the kitchen. Instead of preparing time-consuming breakfasts of ham and eggs, some people just...