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Design Stories: Exploring Everyday Things

First recorded use of "teenager" in Popular Science (1941)

The term “teenager” was first recorded in Popular Science in 1941, marking a cultural shift in how society viewed adolescence. No longer seen merely as “inexperienced adults,” teens began to be recognized as a distinct demographic—with unique behaviors, tastes, and growing economic influence—setting the stage for targeted marketing and youth-centered consumer culture in the following decades.

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1. 501,520 Canadian youth and teens (ages 10-19) enrolled in primary and secondary school (1921)
3. First recorded use of "teenager" in Popular Science (1941) The term “teenager” was first recorded in Popular Science in 1941, marking a cultural shift in how society viewed adolescence. No longer seen merely as “inexperienced adults,” teens began to be recognized as a distinct demographic—with unique behaviors, tastes, and growing economic influence—setting the stage for targeted marketing and youth-centered consumer culture in the following decades.
4. Teen spending power reaches $750 million (1944)
Contents of this path:
1. 501,520 Canadian youth and teens (ages 10-19) enrolled in primary and secondary school (1921)
2. U.S. high school enrollment reaches 80% (1941)
3. First recorded use of "teenager" in Popular Science (1941) The term “teenager” was first recorded in Popular Science in 1941, marking a cultural shift in how society viewed adolescence. No longer seen merely as “inexperienced adults,” teens began to be recognized as a distinct demographic—with unique behaviors, tastes, and growing economic influence—setting the stage for targeted marketing and youth-centered consumer culture in the following decades.
4. Teen spending power reaches $750 million (1944)
5. End of WWII (1945)
6. Post-WWII boom fuels mass production & disposable culture (1950)
7. Plastic becomes dominant in consumer goods (1955)
8. RM110 and similar portable record players gain popularity among youth (1960)
9. The plastics industry launches New York Times campaign calling plastic “a new way of life” (1968)
10. RM110 emerges within the youth market (1970)
11. Marketing of record players shifts toward style & identity (colour variations, character editions) (1972)
12. Cassette players and Walkmans begin replacing portable record players (1980)
13. RM110 fades from mainstream use (1990)
14. RM110 resurfaces on eBay, Etsy, and collector forums (2015)
15. Teenage spending power reaches $63 billion (2023) The annual spending power of teenagers in the U.S. reached an estimated $63 billion in 2023. This increased rise reflects the persisting influence of youth in the consumer marketplace, driven by digital culture, targeted marketing, and greater financial autonomy. Teens today not only spend on fashion and entertainment but also influence household purchases, making them one of the most valuable demographics for companies..