Consumer culture got its start.
Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons
Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons
The rise of the middle class meant that more people had disposable income than ever before, while mechanization ensured that more products were available for those who could afford them.
The most telling example of the rise of consumer culture came in the form of department stores, such as Harrods in London. These kinds of stores are still seen today, of course, and are seen as the precursor to shopping malls.