Limited Options:
* Reading: Books, newspapers, and magazines were the primary source of entertainment at home. Libraries were becoming increasingly accessible, but owning books was still a privilege.
* Music:
* Sheet Music: People played instruments at home, often relying on sheet music for popular songs or classical pieces.
* Mechanical Music: Music boxes, phonographs (early models), and piano rolls offered a way to enjoy recorded music, though these were expensive and not widely accessible.
* Games: Board games, card games, and parlor games were popular ways to spend time together.
* Hobbies: Many people engaged in crafts, knitting, sewing, or painting as forms of entertainment.
The Dawn of a New Era:
* The Arrival of Cinema: The year 1895 witnessed the first public screenings of projected motion pictures by the Lumière brothers in Paris. While these early films were short and silent, they signaled the beginning of a revolution in entertainment.
* Home Viewing: While not yet a reality, the advent of cinema sparked the idea of bringing entertainment into the home.
Important Note: Home entertainment in 1895 was largely limited to passive activities. The electric light bulb was still relatively new, so evening entertainment often relied on candles or kerosene lamps. Technology was limited, and access to entertainment was largely dependent on income.
The following decade saw a rapid increase in the popularity of silent films, which eventually made their way into homes via projectors. This marked the beginning of home entertainment as we know it today.