How Did We Ever Manage Without Them?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4994980/JAN-MOIR-looks-innovations-60-years.html

It is amazing the dates that some of these appliances were introduced.

But think of the gadgets that were bought but hardly ever used.

[hc4361]

I remember the earlier toaster - it was lethal. Two pull down flaps either side of the element which got extremely hot and of course the slices had to be turned.
We much preferred to use the toasting fork over the fire but that was no good for a quick breakfast on a summer's day.

I also remember the drudgery of washday every Monday. I'm sure we didn't change our clothes several times a day back then.

[Old_Geezer]

We don't change our clothes several times a day now, unless in certain occupations.

[gness]

The suitcase made me smile with a memory, AOG.....

In the fifties we travelled frequently between the UK and Ireland with heavy suitcases....
My father attached castors to one side of each case and I still remember the puzzled gazes of other passengers as our family strode along platforms with our cases gliding beside us......x

[Patsy33]

Your father was ahead of his times gness. Clever man!

[gness]

He was inventive and imaginative, Patsy.......but deciding to use the hose on the wrong end of the cylinder vacuum cleaner to dry our hair wasn't the best idea he had.....
We were the only children going to school on Monday morning with dusty hair.... :-(

[Patsy33]

Lol! Nearly had it...

[wolf63]

gness

[gness]

That's great, Wolf.....I looked at a few more after watching that one.... there is one dad who has a far too powerful vacuum......and one who does the tricks with plaiting and braiding......the comments accusing him of cheating made me smile.... :-)

[melv16]

Myself and most other tradesmen would be lost without cordless drills and drivers.

[hc4361]

I would not be without a SatNav now. I bet they've saved many relationships

[anotheoldgit]

What about the days before synthetic materials?

[maggiebee]

Makes for interesting reading but makes me wonder, as AOG has said, how many gadgets we have that we never use. My old dad lived til he was 95 - never had a fridge, washing machine, TV, toaster, electric kettle, electric lawn mower etc etc. He never drove either but used a push bike (or walked) well into his 90s. I've got a cupboard full of gadgets - some of which have never, or seldom, been used. Others I wouldn't want to live without.

[wolf63]

I have three electric water fountains in the house. They are in a cupboard as they were being ignored. The cats drink out of normal drinking bowls instead.

[Mamyalynne]

I really must get around to trying some of these new inventions, meanwhile 'Where's me washboard?'


The first plastics were an innovation over a century ago, fabrics later - the 1930s I think.

We have seen such strides and of course need more cupboard space to store the ones we never use.

[aelmpvw]

many years ago a friend of mine caused quite a stir in the local with what looked like a house brick, it was a mobile phone

[albaqwerty]

smoke alarms were a darned good invention.

[tamborine]

Oral contraceptive was best as our milkman was different each day ;)

[Mamyalynne]

Those early pills were no easy solution Tambs, walking with one clamped between your knees must have been difficult;-)

[tamborine]

Milk helps with swallowing

[hc4361]

Could we have the same gadgets without using plastic and the likes? What would are huge tvs be made from?