Everything new is, as we know, well forgotten old. Unfortunately, we do not often look back to the past, especially for advice of a century ago.
The public library of New York has digitized 100 "how to do it" cards found in cigarette boxes over 100 years ago, and the tips that are published on these cards are so practical that some of them can be used in the modern world.
These cigarette cards provided clues, tips, and ways to deal with many life problems, from cooking potatoes, watering flowers, to unlikely scenarios — how to escape an angry dog, or how to lit a cigarette with ice, and how to draw a dove without taking a pencil from the sheet of paper on which you draw. Most of them are very interesting, for example, how to make your own fire extinguisher at home. Who would have thought that was possible?
The story is that initially the purpose of cigarette cards was to protect cigarettes from damage, but tobacco companies around the world soon saw the value of cigarette cards as collectible items and began to produce picture cards that depicted works of art, famous people and so on, thereby increasing the attractiveness of a cigarette box and customer`s loyalty to the brand.
First introduced in the UK in 1887, the popularity of cigarette cards had skyrocketed over the years. By the way, some of these cards are now very much valued, the most expensive one, for example, with the face of baseball player Honus Wagner, was sold for 2.8 million dollars.
Gallaher cigarettes — British tobacco company, which was once the largest in the world, in the 1910s decided to print a series of useful instructions on their boxes, smart tips for both everyday and emergency situations. So there was a collection of life hacks, which were preserved to the present day.
Here are a few of these tips that sometimes can be very unexpected.
How to make a fire extinguisher and cope with fire
The text on the back of the card advises you to dissolve a pound of salt and a half pound of ammonia in two liters of water and pour the mixture into thin glass bottles of a quart (about 1 litre) each. If a fire breaks out, it is enough to throw one or more bottles into the fire, and any serious outbreak is likely to be prevented.
How to remove salt stains on shoes
This is a very interesting life hack for our winter slush.
You clean leather shoes from salt stains, using a solution of soda and hot milk. After this cleaning you need to let the boots dry and then brush them in a usual way.
How to remove splinter without pain
This advice is exactly relevant, but here the main things are caution and accuracy.
Fill the bottle with a wide neck with hot water almost to the top and press the affected part of the hand tightly to the neck of the bottle. As a result of suction, steam will soon pull the splinter out.
How to make a water filter with your hands
The most convenient and effective filter can be made from a conventional zinc water bucket, through the bottom of which a hole is drilled and a small tube is installed. Water seeps through the layers of fine and coarse sand, gravel and stones, which fills the bucket and flows in its pure form.
How to revive cut flowers
To bring these faded beauties back to life, dip their stems in hot water and keep them there until the water is cooler. Cut the ends of the stems, then put the flowers in cold water.
How to predict the weather
More than 100 years ago, few people heard about weather forecasters and the weather was predicted independently, guided by observations of nature. It works now! For example, going for a walk early in the morning, pay attention to the clouds in the distance. If the clouds gradually increase, the weather will be changeable and there is a high probability of downfall. If the clouds decrease, the day will be clear. So advises lifehack card from cigarettes.
How to protect glasses from fogging
I wear glasses, but honestly, I did not dare use this advice :)
When the temperature drops, the glasses are misted. It brings discomfort. However, if you rub the glass with soap every day, and then carefully wipe with a napkin, there will remain a thin protective layer that will not let the glasses fog up.
How to cut very soft bread
I will definitely try this advice!
Cutting soft fresh bread into thin slices is not an easy task. But if you heat the knife under a stream of boiling water, and then wipe, the process will be much easier and slices of bread will be perfect.
How to feel good
This recommendation is for all times!
To feel good, train not only the body but also the lungs. To do this, stand straight, rise on your toes and tilt your head. Inhale, so that the lungs are completely filled with air, and exhale slowly, repeat several times. Do the exercise in the morning and in the evening.
How to cook potatoes
Judging by this advice, for more than a hundred years the world has not changed much…
For potatoes not to be overcooked, in addition to salt, add a pinch of sugar to the saucepan. When the potatoes are ready, drain and hold the closed pan over the fire to dry the potatoes.
In my opinion, the coolest life hack from this series.
How to blow away a brick
Take a regular medium-sized bag, put it on the table and put a brick on it. Place the open end of the bag in your mouth and start blowing into it.
They had a great sense of humor in those times!