I recall reading a book about Weimar Germany's hyperinflation episode a century ago. Their mark if I recall traded at 14 to the pound at the start in 1919 and was trillions to one by 1923. Someone with 100k marks, or £7k, in 1919 was well off. By 1923 that same amount wouldn't have been enough to purchase a cup of tea.Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
I'll believe it when I see it ... said some bloke wondering where his house and job has gone
German society was more cohesive then. Like in Britain, religion was strong, one parent families were few and far between to make the family structure far stronger than now, there was no illegal drugs culture and Europe hadn't embarked on importing Third World citizens, some of whom are difficult to integrate successfully. Life was peaceable.
As more and more people struggled to survive, so crime increased. In towns and cities it became dangerous to wear visible gold jewellery in public or seen holding or transporting food. Nobody wanted marks, anything tangible someone else may need or want to trade with was everything in a barter economy.
Farmers prospered more than anyone. They had a barn or two filled with fine artwork, grand pianos, etc, which they had exchanged for half a pig or other food products. Women would sell themselves for a few pounds of spuds.
Most importantly, people were used to not having much.
On this survival theme, I bought a 'silent' diesel generator about 10 years ago which is still in its box unopened. I had hoped never to need to open it. It doesn't seem to be available today. Ones with equivalent specs are going for £1,700 today while mine cost £800. They seem to have far outstripped general inflation.
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