When was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set?

While the book doesn't explicitly state a year, most literary critics and fans agree that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is set in the early to mid-20th century.

Here's why:

* Technology: The book mentions things like television and "telephones that can see." This indicates a time after these inventions became common, likely sometime after the 1930s.

* Social context: The book depicts a society with clear social divisions and poverty, similar to the post-war era in Britain.

* Author's life: Roald Dahl, the author, was born in 1916 and wrote the book in the 1960s. He drew inspiration from his childhood experiences, which likely informed the setting.

However, the book doesn't specify a precise year, allowing for some flexibility in interpretation.