Have you ever stumbled upon an old object and wondered what it was used for? It’s fascinating how antiques remind us of how much things have changed over the years. Some everyday items from the past are now completely irrelevant, while others have evolved dramatically. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and test your knowledge of these 18 old items. Don’t worry, they aren’t too tricky! See how many you can correctly identify and share your score in the comments below.
Let’s start with an easier one. Can you guess what this item was used for? If you guessed a coffee grinder, then you are absolutely right! Back in the day, coffee beans were sold whole, and you had to hand crank them before brewing your morning cup of joe. Imagine the effort required before even having your first sip of coffee!
This next item is still used today, but it has definitely changed over time. Can you guess what it is? If you said a vacuum cleaner, you are correct! The vacuum model pictured here is called the Baby Daisy. It was designed in France and dates back to 1910. The Baby Daisy was a manually-powered vacuum that required two people to operate it. One person would stand on the base of the vacuum, moving it back and forth using a broomstick in the holder, while the second person would do the actual vacuuming with the hose. It’s a good thing vacuum cleaners have come a long way!
Let’s head back to the kitchen for the next item. Take a good look at the photo below. Any guesses? If you guessed a toaster, you are right! Toasters as we know them today began to appear when Albert Marsh developed a safe heating element in the early 20th century. Before that, people used to toast their bread over a fire! And here’s a hint, this item goes well with the coffee grinder from item one.
This old item may not be as common in kitchens today, but it’s still used by bakers. Can you guess what it is? If you said a flour sifter, you are correct! Running flour through a sifter helps aerate it, making it lighter and easier to mix. Perfect for making bread to go with your toasted slices!
Take a look at this simple item. Can you guess its purpose? This is a boot scraper! It was used to scrape off the excess mud and dirt from the bottom of your shoes before entering a home. No one likes a messy floor!
Last but not least, can you identify this item? If you guessed an ice cream maker, you are right on the money! This old-fashioned ice cream maker used a hand crank and two bowls. One small bowl contained the delicious ingredients while a second, bigger bowl was filled with rock salt and ice. The rock salt allowed the ice to absorb the heat from the ingredients, creating a creamy, frozen treat. Yum!
Why you should always put a coin in the freezer before you leave home
When you get home from a trip, has your digital clock ever been reset? This usually indicates that there was a power outage, but it’s impossible to determine when and how long it lasted, so you can’t be sure if your food is still safe.
On Facebook, a woman by the name of Sheila Pulanco Russell provided a helpful trick for figuring out whether food in your freezer is still edible following a power outage.
I’ve heard a fantastic advice for those of you who are fleeing the coast. The one cup tip is what it’s known as, writes Sheila. “You fill your freezer with a cup of water. Place a quarter on top of it after it has solidified in the freezer and store it there.
This easy tip will tell you whether your food has gone bad. “You should discard the meal if the quarter has defrosted and dropped to the bottom of the cup. However, your food can still be fine if the quarter is either at the top or in the center of the cup.
For piece of mind, Sheila advises keeping the cup in your freezer at all times. “Just toss out the food if it doesn’t make you feel happy. The safety of all is the most important thing.
Kindly forward this advice to your loved ones; it could perhaps save a life.
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