Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

By Tom Emery

Inflation is a frontline issue in America today, and has driven down approval ratings for the Biden administration. It’s one of several periods in the nation’s history when rising prices have hammered consumers, especially the working class.

The current inflationary pressures are the strongest in decades, but at times, they’ve been even worse. Inflation in the World War I era was particularly severe, as the period from late 1916 through 1920 sent prices skyrocketing.

Inflation reached double digits in every month from October 1916 through September 1920, with a record 23...