If you live in an older home or just visited one, you might have noticed they contain some odd features. How were these mysterious elements used and why don’t we see them in new homes?

The unique features in older home designs usually served an important purpose, like exterior doors for ice, coal, and milk deliveries. Boot scrapers near the front door cleaned shoes worn on unpaved roads, and exterior wall plates were both decorative and helped stabilize the structure. Some components like the Pittsburg potty and servant staircases seem ridiculous, while others – like Murphy beds and laundry chutes – are making a comeback.

Whether you were alive when these features were working or curious about details in older homes, it’s interesting to unlock the mysteries of home design history.