>The largest single occupation in 1900 was "domestic servant" - by the 1950s, it no longer existed, because home appliances had completely replaced the job.

So my neighbor's domestic servant must be imaginary then right?

I think it just changed names. It is now called "domestic worker". U.S. Census suggests that the number has only declined about 21% from 1900(927,402) to 2012 (726,437). It is suspected though that current statistics are off by about half (because of unreported undocumented workers) so the actual numbers likely have grown, (even per household).

You think a vacuum, dishwasher, mixer, blender, washer/dryer and microwave reduces the work that much? Be sure to express this to your significant other.