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During the roaring twenties there were many historical changes regarding fashion, women's rights, medicine and the arts. This led to a Golden Age in terms of economic progression. During this time there were innovations and new technological advances that furthered the country including the invention of sound for movies. Another contribution was penicillin, which was considered a medical miracle. With any modernization there was conservative backlash. This occurred with the criticism of the flapper along with the introduction of Prohibition. Although there was constant controversy over morality, the changes of the times influence how we live our lives today.

Many important changes occurred during the "Roaring Twenties." One of these changes was the quality of a woman during these times. The average woman in the 1910's was a demure, lady like creature that could not express her opinion. In the 1920's, a woman could not only express what she meant, she also took control of what she looked like. This is the age where women slowly raised their skirts and adorned their faces with make-up that only promiscuous women would wear in the past. With World War I came a new independence for women, they were able to work for the first time, since drafted men were sent away. Later they will achieve a goal they thought inconceivable, gaining the right to vote.

While women were changing the way they were perceived, science was also changing as knowledge progressed. One of the main contributions was from Alexander Flemming, who created penicillin in 1928. Penicillin is actually a group of antibiotic types that are derived from a fungus. In 1939, Howard Florey and a team of research scientists showed penicillin's bactericidal properties in vivo, however their attempts at treating humans with penicillin were unsuccessful, due to not using enough of the substance. Finally, in 1942, John Bumstead and Orvan Hess used penicillin to save the life of a patient. The development of penicillin as a means to kill bacteria that cause disease caused a profound change in the medical and scientific communities. It led to the development of other antibiotics, and helped create a world where catching pneumonia or some other bacterial illness would not be a death sentence. The discovery and development of penicillin and other antibiotics made possible the medical advancements we now take for granted.

The Roaring 20's was a time of change that can be familiarized through out the ages. This is pertinent to student lives because they can see how modernization and rebellious attitude somewhat began during this time period. This continued with the rise of the counter-culture during the 1960's and 1970's and has led to today with how students are always finding the newest trends to express their interests and identity. Change is always happening regardless of what era we are in.