40 Vintage Life Hacks from 100 Years Ago
Back in the 1900s, cigarette manufactures used to insert stiffening cards into their paper cigarette packs to add strength and help them last longer. Along the way, someone had the bright idea of printing trivia, artwork and even famous people and athletes (Honus Wagner anyone?) onto the stiffening cards.
In the early 20th Century, Gallaher’s Cigarettes printed a special series of 100 “How to do it” cards that included some truly useful and helpful tips for everyday situations and problems. The entire 100 card collection is part of the New York Public Library’s George Arents Collection and was recently digitized.
Below you will find 40 of the Sifter’s personal favorites. Visit the NYPL Digital Collections to see them all.
1. How to Extract a Splinter
2. How to Light a Match in the Wind
3. How to Tell the Points of the Compass with a Watch
4. How To Treat Sprains
5. How To Make a Fire Extinguisher
6. How To Carry a Heavy Jug
7. A Hint When Boiling Potatoes
8. How To Kill a Tree Stump
9. How To Make Corks Fit
10. How To Pull Out Long Nails
11. How To Measure With Coins
12. How To Detect Escaping Gas
13. How To Cool Wine with Ice
14. When Boiling Cracked Eggs
15. How To Preserve Valuable Vases
16. How To Remove Sea Stains from Brown Shoes
17. How To Make a Simple Gate Latch
18. How To Clean an Oil Painting
19. How To Test Butter
20. How To Draw a Circle Without a Compass
21. How To Clean Real Lace
22. How To Revive Cut Flowers
23. How To Judge the Freshness of a Lobster
24. How To Make a Water Fountain for Chicks
25. How To Treat Squeaky Boots
26. How To Adjust a Door
27. How To Cut New Bread Into Thin Slices
28. How To Remove a Stuck Glass Stopper
29. How To Detect Dampness in Beds
30. How To Draw an Ellipse with String
31. How To Pick Up Broken Glass
32. How To Stop a Runaway Horse
33. How To Clean New Boots
34. How To Remove a Tight Ring from the Finger
35. How To Keep a Paint Brush Handle Clean
36. How To Take Ink Stains Out a Handkerchief
37. How To Fit a Large Candle
38. How To Clean Bottles
39. Three Useful Knots
40. How To Separate Glass Tumblers
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