During the twentieth century 'affluence' (both at the level of the individual household and that of society as a whole) became intimately linked with access to a range of prestige consumer durables. The Market Makers charts the inter-war origins of a process that would eventually transform these features of modern life from being 'luxuries' to 'necessities' for most British families. Peter Scott examines how producers and retailers succeeded in creating
'mass' (though not universal) market for new suites of furniture, radios, modern housing, and some electrical and gas appliances, while also...