1. Knocker-Uppers Before alarm clocks became affordable, some people made their living as human alarm clocks, called knocker-uppers. They would walk the streets at dawn, tapping on windows with long sticks or even pea-shooters to wake their clients. It sounds […]
1. Cutting a Baby’s Hair Too Soon Many parents once believed that cutting a baby’s hair before their first birthday would bring bad luck. Some even thought it might prevent the child from growing a full, healthy head of hair
1. Dressing Up to Fly There was a time when boarding a plane meant putting on your Sunday best. Men wore suits and ties, while women often donned dresses, heels, and even hats. The idea was that air travel was
1. Coca-Cola Back in the late 19th century, Coca-Cola wasn’t just a refreshing drink—it was marketed as a medicinal tonic. Created by John Pemberton in 1886, it was advertised as a cure for headaches, fatigue, and even morphine addiction. Its
1. Carpet Beaters Before the days of vacuum cleaners, people had to get creative when it came to cleaning their rugs. Carpet beaters looked like oversized fly swatters made of rattan or wire, and they were used to whack dust
1. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe Back in the mid-1990s, McDonald’s thought it could appeal to adults with a “fancy” burger called the Arch Deluxe. It was supposed to be more sophisticated than their usual fare, with a special sauce, peppered bacon,
1. Evacuation Day If you grew up in Boston, you might have heard of Evacuation Day, but most Americans wouldn’t recognize the name. This holiday once marked March 17, 1776, when British troops left Boston during the Revolutionary War. For
