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!
I Discovered My Mother-in-Law and Husband’s Scheme to Conceal Food From Me Because I’m ‘Too Fat’ — I Retaliated Against Both of Them
Emily was appalled when she overheard her mother-in-law and husband plotting in hushed tones. Their plan to hide food from her because they thought she was “too fat” was deeply upsetting. Striving to put an end to this toxic behavior, Emily cleverly orchestrated a fitting revenge neither would anticipate.
“Honey, but you don’t want to live with an elephant, do you?” Noele’s voice rang from the kitchen.
I froze on the couch, my knitting needles suspended. Did I hear that correctly? My heart pounded as I strained to hear more.
“I don’t, but she’ll notice it and start asking questions,” my husband replied with uncertainty.
“Act clueless. I’ll remove all the food. I’m ashamed that my daughter-in-law is so large. She’s too fat,” Noele continued, her voice laced with contempt.
My heart felt as if it shattered into countless pieces. Three years ago, after having our son at 40, I struggled to regain my pre-pregnancy body.
I toiled long hours to support our family, even extending financial help to Noele when she needed it. How could she say such hurtful things about me?
Setting down my knitting, I stared at the wall, trying to process the conversation I had just overheard. Tears welled up, but I blinked them back. I didn’t want to break down now.
My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. I realized I had been sitting in a daze, replaying the events of the previous week when Noele had visited us.
Unbeknownst to me, the missing food was her doing. She had been stealthily clearing out the fridge, not wanting her son to be married to a “fat” woman.
Taking a deep breath, I checked the phone. It was a message from Alexander, my husband.
It read: “Hey honey, don’t wait up. My friends are insisting I stay a little longer :)”
Recently, he always seemed to have an excuse to stay out. I began to wonder if my weight was the reason. Did he really see me as an elephant?
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