Today, let’s have a little game! What purpose did these vintage items serve, do you know? These enigmatic things, which range from strange equipment to unusual decorative pieces, may leave you perplexed. Don’t worry, though; try it and see if you can envision what people in earlier eras did with these fascinating objects.
First Item: The Coin Gatherer
First up, we have a mixed-metal object with connectors on the sides and slots on top. Do you know what it was used for in the past?
You’re 100% correct if you assumed it was a coin collector! Conductors of trains and buses would deposit the fares into slots and then pick up the neatly piled coins from the bottom. They could fasten it to their belts using the hooks on the sides. Remarkably, a contemporary rendition of this is still in use at a few locations where admission is free of charge. Pretty smart, huh?
The Sand-Filled Swim Cap is item #2.
This is an intriguing cap with chin straps, a blue interior, and a feminine printed pattern. Would you want to guess? Here’s a hint: it has sand inside of it!
Actually, this peculiar headgear is an antique handmade swim cap. People used to love modeling swim caps after the aviatrix fashion trend back in the 1920s. However, home sewers had trouble finding rubber ingredients. They then devised a clever fix: the cap was filled with sand, and the channels and stitches were machine-sewn.
Why the sand? As a water blocker, it lets swimmers select their own fabric pattern rather than being restricted to yellow or black rubber. Undoubtedly a novel strategy!
The Iron Flue Damper is item #3.
Now look at this iron object that has two stamps on it. Along an iron post with a spiraling end, the iron plate swivels. Any suggestions?
You’re exactly right if you assumed it to be an iron flue damper! Even though they are rarely seen, these iron flue dampers are still in use today. We enjoy finding unique artifacts that are a part of our past when we go antique shopping. It resembles going back in time!
The Victorian Shop Dispenser (Item #4)
Admire this metal box with a beveled glass front and elaborate gold stenciling. It even features a tiny sliding door with a dog picture on it. How do you suppose it was put to use?
Actually, this graceful box is a Victorian-style shop dispenser. It came in several sizes and was intended for bulk sales. This one had a label insert for gunpowder, but it may have also been used for bulk commodities like sugar or confectionery. Customers could see the quality of the products they were buying because to the glass front. Why was there a picture of dogs hunting? Well, since the purpose was to hold gunpowder exclusively, it’s merely an ornamental touch. This is a very fascinating essay, isn’t it?
The Cedar Butter Churn is item #5.
Take a look at this big wooden drum with a handle, a footed base, and a lid. There’s a crank on the side of it also. Any ideas about what it’s meant to accomplish?
This wooden drum is a butter churn made of cedar. To produce more butter, it was utilized. It says “Farm Master Dairy Supplies” on the other side. However, we didn’t want to reveal anything too quickly! Knowing about these antiquated gadgets truly transports us to a bygone era of ease.
The Soda Bottle Stand is item #6.
Look at this three-tiered metal stand for a moment. Each tier has a notch carved out of it. It is nearly four feet tall and supports itself on three legs. What was the purpose of it, do you suppose?
The purpose of this booth was to showcase Coke bottles—but not just any soda. Nehi purposely made it as part of their marketing strategy for their soda bottles. With their handy necks, the bottles fit well in the triangle shape with the notches. These stands used to be found in grocery stores and local stores during the Great Depression. They were really impressive!
There you have it, then! These enigmatic objects transport us through time and serve as a reminder of the inventiveness and resourcefulness of earlier generations. How many of those were accurate guesses, then?
Son donates hair to his mom who has been battling a recurrent brain tumor for nearly 20 years
What was intended to be a joke ended up being one of the greatest gifts a mother could ever have from her son.
An Arizona guy grew out his hair for over three years in order to give it to his mother, who lost her hair due to radiation treatment.
Matt Shaha declared, “It makes perfect sense.” “In the first place, she gave me the hair.”
Melanie Shaha battled a benign brain tumor for many years.
She remarked, “I had surgery twice, in 2003 and 2006, for a pituitary tumor that was recurrent and benign brain tumor.”
After two successful surgeries to remove it, she was prescribed radiation in 2017 when it reappeared.
“I inquired with my doctor, ‘Will my hair fall out?’” and they replied, “No.”
She lost her hair three months later.
A TWO-DAY WEEK…
She remarked today, “When you don’t have hair, you stand out like a sore thumb and kind people can say things that make you cry.” “Looking sick bothers me more than actually being sick.” At the store, I’d want to fit in rather than stand out.
Shortly after Melanie started experiencing hair loss, her son, who is 27 years old, made a joke one day about growing his hair out and getting a wig for her.
I began working with Matt Shaha a year ago, and he is one of the most giving people I have ever met. Among the original…
Even though Melanie’s son was receiving such a nice offer, she didn’t want to burden him with it.
But Matt had a different perspective. For the next 2.5 years, he let his hair grow out. He went to his mother’s house with a few coworkers when his hair was at the right length, and they chopped it off.
I began working with Matt Shaha a year ago, and he is one of the most giving people I have ever met. Among the original…
Melanie remarked, “We were so excited that we started crying when they started cutting.”
He even paid the $2,000 to have the wig created when the time came.
The mother and son team discovered a wigmaker who created a lighter and more comfortable wig by hand-stitting the hair. Melanie had the wig trimmed and styled as soon as it arrived.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen my mom look like that since she lost it, so it’s been about four years,” Matt remarked upon seeing her in it.
Melanie, smitten with her new appearance, conceded that surpassing her son’s present would be difficult. “It definitely fills your heart.”
Melanie is very happy! Look at her expression! Matt is even grinning broadly. For them both and their families, I adore this.
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