Vintage cigarette cards from 1900 offer essential life hacks which are still relevant today
The cheap and cheerful advice can be used to make life just that little bit easier
THESE brilliant life hacks work just as well today as they did when they were revealed on cigarette cards 100 years ago.
Gallaher’s Cigarettes included these amazing How To Do It cards to make paper fag packets last longer – and make life easier.
1.HOW TO EXTRACT A SPLINTER: A splinter embedded in in the hand is often very painful to extract.
A good way to accomplish this is to fill a wide-mouthed bottle with hot water nearly to the brim and press the affected part of the hand against mouth of the bottle.
The suction will pull down the flesh and steam will soon draw out.
2.HOW TO CUT NEW BREAD INTO THIN SLICES: The difficulty of cutting new bread into thin slices can be readily overcome.
Plunge the bread knife into hot water and when thoroughly hot wipe quickly.
It will be found that the knife will cut soft, yielding new bread into the thinnest slices.
3.HOW TO LIGHT A MATCH IN THE WIND: The difficulty of lighting a match in a wind can be overcome if thin shavings are first cut on the match towards its striking end.
On lighting the match, the curled strips catch fire at once. The flame is stronger and has a better chance.
4.WHEN BOILING CRACKED EGGS: To boil cracked eggs as satisfactorily as though they were undamaged, a little vinegar should be added to the water.
If this is done, it will be found none of the contents will boil out.
5.HOW TO PRESERVE VALUABLE VASES: If the following precaution is taken, the danger of knocking over a valuable vase will not be so great.
Partly fill the vase with sand, which acting a weight, keeps it upright and firm on its base. This idea is particularly useful in the case of vases which are inclined to be top heavy.
6.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.
7.HOW TO DETECT ESCAPING GAS: There is always a danger in trying to locate an escape of gas with a light.
The method shown in the picture is free from risk and quite reliable. Paint a strong soap solution on the suspected length of pipe and the gas will cause bubbles to the escaping point, which can be dealt with at once.
8.HOW TO PICK UP BROKEN GLASS: To pick up broken glass quickly and cleanly a soft damp cloth will be found to be most effective for it takes up all the small splinters.
The best plan is to use an old rag that can be thrown away with the glass.
9.HOW TO COOL WINE WITHOUT ICE: If no ice is available for cooling wine, a good method is to wrap the bottle in a flannel and place in a crock beneath the cold water tap.
Allow the water to run over it and in about 10 minutes the wine will be thoroughly cool and ready for the table.