Buzz
An object's aesthetic appeal doesn't always ensure its practicality. Many of these items were abandoned due to technological advancements or evolving trends, while others were quirky inventions rarely utilized even in their time. Yet, each serves as a stunning representation of the culture it originated from.
1. Strawberry Grabbers
Silverperfect.com via Pinterest
An elegant silver pincher crafted by Tiffany circa 1900. Designed to fit snugly on your fingers, they shielded your fingertips while picking strawberries from a bowl. It’s puzzling why these didn’t become a must-have kitchen tool.
2. Sterling Silver Salt Set
Oneofakindantiques.com
Salt wasn’t always free-flowing. In the early 20th century, the Morton Salt Company in Chicago introduced magnesium carbonate to prevent clumping. Before this innovation, salt was coarse and stored in small containers called salt cellars, from which you’d pinch your portion. For the affluent, luxurious sets like these silver seashells with miniature spoons were the norm.
3. Sholes & Glidden Typewriter
Cornell.edu
Throughout much of the 19th century, inventors experimented with creating a practical personal typesetting machine. It wasn’t until around 1870 that Christopher Latham Sholes introduced the elegant device pictured above. Operated by a foot pedal to move the carriage, the machine positioned the paper too high to view while typing. Despite this, a proficient typist (with strong fingers) could produce text much faster than handwriting, marking the gradual decline of handwritten letters that persists today.
4. Lace Bandeau Brassiere
Whitakerauction.smugmug.com via Pinterest
Fashion trends have often dictated how women shape their bodies, and in the 1920s, the trend was toward a more natural silhouette. This delicate bra (30B) provided no support but allowed women to achieve the era’s sought-after narrow, rectangular figure. By letting the breasts rest naturally rather than projecting outward, as was fashionable before and after this period, it maintained modesty while aligning with the style of the time.
5. 19th Century Vinaigrette
Janeaustensworld.wordpress.com via Pinterest
These elegant items, carried by refined individuals of both genders, contained sponges soaked in vinegar. In the 18th and 19th centuries, urban life often meant enduring overwhelming filth and foul smells. If overwhelmed by the stench, one could simply lift the vinaigrette to their nose to mask the unpleasant odors.
6. Pattern Molded Inkwell
Peachridgeglass.com via Pinterest
You likely recognize the purpose of this item. While calligraphers or enthusiasts might still use one today, it’s uncommon to find one as stunning as this 1825 model.
7. Chatelaine
steclub.ru via Pinterest
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, chatelaines were worn by middle-class housewives and upper-class head housekeepers. These decorative waist chains held essential items like sewing kits, keys, and coin purses, serving as a clear indicator of one’s social standing or that of their household staff.
8. Asparagus Tongs
Antiques & Uncommon Treasure
While the strawberry grabber might have seemed excessive, this 19th-century French sterling silver asparagus server is surprisingly practical. Using a fork to stab each stalk feels rather uncivilized in comparison.
9. Denture Minder
Electricedge.com via Pinterest
This 1795 French denture holder might challenge the definition of “beautiful,” but we wouldn’t dare label it otherwise. Its design is undeniably striking, though perhaps a bit intimidating.
10. Praxinoscope-Théatre
Liveauctioneers.com
Created in 1877 by Emile Reynaud, the Praxinoscope-Théatre created the illusion of watching a miniature vaudeville performance. This device, a forerunner to modern animation, made images appear to move (juggling, dancing) against a fixed backdrop. Learn more here.
11. Bell & Howell Filmo
John Kratz on Flickr
The Filmo 75, introduced in 1928 by the still-operating film equipment company Bell & Howell, was crafted as a compact, portable movie camera for amateur filmmakers. Weighing just 3 pounds, it was marketed as small enough to fit in a coat pocket. Users would wind it like a watch using a built-in key on the side. Despite its convenience, it carried a price tag comparable to that of a car.
12. Victorian Dress-Lifter
Country Living
In the Victorian era, women’s skirts were voluminous, and streets were often filthy. Navigating stairs or uneven terrain required lifting one’s skirt, and these devices added a layer of complexity to the task. The tongs attached to the hem, while a loop connected to a belt or chatelaine. A pulley system allowed the wearer to pull a chain to raise the skirt. Why this was preferable to simply using one’s hands remains a mystery best understood by Victorians.
13. Odhner Pinwheel Calculator
Vintagecalculators.com
Invented by Willgodt T. Odhner in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1874, the Odhner Calculator remained in use across Russia for almost a hundred years. For a detailed explanation of its functionality, it’s best explained by someone else.
14. Bathing Houses
Wikimedia Commons
Bathing houses, distinct from bath-houses, were mobile changing rooms on wheels. Victorians of a certain social standing would never parade on public beaches in their revealing swimwear. Instead, they used these carriages to change inside, then were wheeled to the water’s edge for a discreet entrance. After swimming, they could retreat inside to change again, maintaining their modesty.
15. Lancaster Watch Camera
Introduced in 1886, the Lancaster Watch Camera was a clever device for capturing secret photographs. Disguised as a standard pocket watch, it revealed its true purpose when a tab was turned, deploying the camera to instantly snap a photo. Despite its ingenuity, the camera’s image quality was subpar, leading to its short-lived production span of just four years.
