From 1925: Masculine Women, Feminine Men
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/09/12/29019/12/2008
In the early part of the 20th century before radio was king and
phonographs were still a novelty in American parlors, every decent
middle-class home had an upright piano. And because people in those
days had to make their own entertainment, a popular activity was to
gather around a piano and sing the latest hit songs from sheet music
purchased at the local department store. In those days, the hit parade
was not determined by the popularity of records or radio airplay, but
by sheet music sales. Hot sheet music titles were snapped up as
quickly then as the latest Amy Winehouse track is downloaded from
iTunes today.
