The 20th century was an era of change. In the first half of the century, two world wars and a major global economic depression had dramatic effect.
These and other social and technological developments throughout the course of the century significantly altered the lives of Dunedin people.
As a city, Dunedin began to lag behind in the population stakes and by the end of the 20th century it would be only the fifth largest population centre in the country. Dunedin's position as a city of industry and commerce declined but by century's end had been transformed into a university city.
The University of Otago's rise brought fresh dynamism to the city, as well as a significant youthful, but transient, population. Twentieth Century charts aspects of these changes and provides an opportunity to reflect nostalgically on changes that have occurred in our own lifetimes.
