20 Vintage Life Hacks from 100 Years Ago AND THEY WORK
During the 1900s, cigarette manufacturers used to put stiffening cards into their packs of cigarettes to give them strength and help make them last longer.
In the 1910s, Gallaher Ltd of Belfast & London and Ogden’s Branch of the Imperial Tobacco Co printed “How-To” series, with clever hints for both everyday and emergency situations.
From steaming out a splinter to stopping a mad dog, these cigarette cards told you the smart way to handle many of life’s problems.
Someone during this time had an ingenious idea to put trivia, artwork and even famous people (Elvis Presley anyone?) and athletes onto the stiffening cards.
1. How to Extract a Splinter
George Arents Collection
Gallagher’s Cigarettes made a special series of 100 cards that included “How to do it”, useful tips and tricks for everyday problems in the early 20th Century.
2. How to Light a Match in the Wind
George Arents Collection
3. How to Tell the Points of the Compass with a Watch
George Arents Collection
The whole 100 card collection was recently digitized and made part of the New York Public Library’s George Arents Collection.
You can visit the NYPL Digital Collections at digitalcollections to see all 100.
4. How To Treat Sprains
George Arents Collection
5. How To Make a Fire Extinguisher
George Arents Collection
6. How To Carry a Heavy Jug
George Arents Collection
7. A Hint When Boiling Potatoes
George Arents Collection
8. How To Kill a Tree Stump
George Arents Collection
9. How To Make Corks Fit
George Arents Collection
10. How To Pull Out Long Nails
George Arents Collection
11. How To Measure With Coins
George Arents Collection
12. How To Detect Escaping Gas
George Arents Collection
13. How To Cool Wine without Ice
George Arents Collection
14. When Boiling Cracked Eggs
George Arents Collection
15. How To Preserve Valuable Vases
George Arents Collection
16. How To Remove Sea Stains from Brown Shoes
George Arents Collection
17. How To Make a Simple Gate Latch
George Arents Collection
18. How To Clean an Oil Painting
How To Clean an Oil Painting
19. How To Test Butter
George Arents Collection
20. How To Draw a Circle Without a Compass
George Arents Collection
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