Nvision
Looking back at things “used to be” is always fun and rewarding in many ways. New generation kids will come cross tips & tricks on social media and one might think these advices are the inventions of the 21st century, but some date all the way back to 1875> Tips and pieces of advice were usually printed on cards issued by tobacco manufacturers and distributed within every pack of cigarette. Did I just compare social media platforms to a pack of cigarette? Setting aside the distribution method, some of these advices are actually amazing and even useful after a century! – I posted some of my favorites – which are yours?
More information: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org
1. How to Revive Cut Flowers
To revive choice blooms that have faded during transit, plunge the stems into hot water, and allow them to remain until the water has cooled. By that time the flowers will have revived. The ends of the stems should then be cut off and the blossoms placed in cold water in the usual way.
2. How to Make a Fire Extinguisher
Dissolve one pound of salt and half a pound of sal-ammoniac in two quarts of water and bottle the liquor in thin glass bottles holding about a quart each. Should a fire break out, dash one or more of the bottles into the flames, and any serious outbreak will probably be averted.
3. How to Prevent Eye-Glasses Steaming
The moisture which collects on eye-glasses causes a great deal of trouble, but if the glasses are daily rubbed with soap and well polished afterwards, a very thin invisible film of soap remains, which has the effect of preventing the condensation of moisture on the glasses.
4. How to Extract a Splinter
A splinter embedded in the hand is often very painful to extract. A good way to accomplish this is to fill a wide-mounted bottle with hot water nearly to the brim, and press affected part of hand tightly against mouth of bottle. The suction will pull down the flesh and steam will soon draw out the splinter.