Did cooler air bring less neighborhood interaction?

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com July 10, 2012 11:52AM

In 1937, Hinsdale Theatre manager George Kruger installed an air-conditioning system. Krugers wife, Olga, stands in front of the the marquee. | Doings file photo

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Updated: July 10, 2012 11:58AM

Many aspects of life have changed over the past 50 years. And while it would be difficult to find many people who arent happy about the advancement of air conditioning, being able to keep cool indoors has had a sociological impact.

The once common picture of people sitting on their front porches in an effort to stay relatively cool on a hot summer day or night has all but vanished in many areas. While its still not uncommon in some areas of Chicago to see many people outside when temperatures get into the 90s and higher, many suburban areas look more like ghosts towns during such conditions.

Its changed so much, said Carolyn Lukes, an 85-year-old Oak Brook resident who grew up in Cicero. It was nice. We talked to our neighbors; people knew their neighbors a lot more back then. Its sad now because in so many cases people really dont know their neighbors at all.

Ron Reiner, 77, of Clarendon Hills, also recalls the days when people spent considerably more time outside, interacting with neighbors.

Neighboring is so much different now, he said. We dont even have porches. I sit outside sometimes in my back yard. Ive seen a few people sit out in front in chairs, but people arent outside like they used to be.

Before air conditioning became commonplace in homes, many headed to movie theaters not only to watch a film, but also to cool off. Theaters were one of the few public places offering the comfort of air conditioning before the cooling units began to appear more regularly in the late 1960s/early 70s.

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Did cooler air bring less neighborhood interaction?