Final answer:
In the 1920s, credit became a means to enjoy modern goods, and consumerism grew as a part of American culture. Stores offered credit accounts for purchases, and society's view of credit shifted to a sign of success. Therefore, consumers could likely use credit to buy items like Wrigley's Spearmint gum.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, a 1920s consumer would have been able to use credit to purchase Wrigley's Spearmint gum. During the 1920s, the concept of credit saw a transformation from a necessary evil to a convenient means of enjoying the fruits of modernity. The era was marked by a cultural shift towards consumerism, where acquiring goods on credit became a common practice, even for everyday items.
As mass production reduced the prices of luxury goods, making them more accessible, and the aspirational middle class grew, the use of credit expanded beyond traditional purchases like land or equipment. Stores began allowing customers to open accounts and purchase on credit, which fueled the boom in consumerism. Items that once were seen as luxuries became part of the average American's lifestyle, and advertising played a key role in promoting these new consumption patterns.
The purchasing of luxury items and the appeal of the new-and-improved products through credit meant that the middle-class lifestyle was within reach for many. The societal stigma surrounding buying everyday goods on credit diminished as the credit system itself became a symbol of trustworthiness and success. Thus, it is likely that even for a small purchase like gum, credit options were available and socially acceptable.