A selection of unusual inventions of the 19th century that many have not heard of (12 photos)

We often perceive the 19th century as something frozen, captured only in black-and-white photographs and faded archival papers. Alas, history textbooks rarely pay attention to the amazing discoveries of that era - unusual devices, lost values, and technologies that anticipated their time. These are the things we have collected in our post today.

1. The Revolver-Knuckle Duster - A Hybrid Weapon of the Victorian Era





In the 1890s, gunsmiths experimented with unusual combinations, and one of the most daring inventions was a revolver built into a brass knuckle duster. The compact and discreet double threat was loved by gangsters, travelers, and just adventurers.

2. The Grave Collar



In the 1820s, when anatomical theaters and medical schools were in dire need of cadavers for research, a wave of body thefts from cemeteries swept across Europe and the United States. In response, a grim but brilliant invention emerged: the "coffin collar." A massive metal collar with spikes was attached to the neck of the deceased before burial. If a robber tried to pull the body out of the coffin, the spikes would dig into the flesh, rendering the corpse useless for sale.

3. Women's Self-Defense Glove, 1850s





In an era when women's safety depended on umbrellas and prudence, London gunsmith Walter Somersby patented the "honor glove," a sleek accessory with hidden claws that extended when the fist was clenched.

4. 1800s Secret Staircase in a Victorian Home



In 19th-century Victorian homes, secret staircases were more than just a whim. They served as a strict social boundary and were intended for servants, secret visits, and even escape.

5. Sundial with a cannon



In an era when mechanical watches were a luxury and peasants and townspeople had to get up at dawn, one inventor came up with a "solar alarm clock" - a clever device that combined ancient technology with Victorian ingenuity. Fine gunpowder was poured into a special recess on the dial. When the sun rose to a certain height, a beam, passing through a lens, ignited it. And an explosion was heard. If the season was cloudy, you could light a long fuse in advance, which went off after a calculated time.

6. French Chestnut Crushers



In the rural regions of France, Italy and Switzerland in the 19th century there was a curious tradition of crushing chestnuts with feet in special boots with spiked soles. This was not entertainment, but a practical way to clean the crop before drying and selling. The soles of the shoes were equipped with blunt wooden or metal spikes that cracked the shells but did not damage the kernel. People simply walked on the scattered chestnuts, like on grapes in a press. Children often did this. For them, it was both work and fun.

7. Pepperbox pistol



In the 1840s, when revolvers were just beginning to conquer the world, the real star of self-defense was the pepperbox pistol - a multi-barreled pocket monster, nicknamed the pepperbox.

8. Medical inhaler from the 1840s for administering ether for anesthesia



In 1846, the world of medicine was turned upside down - Boston dentist William Morton was the first to publicly use ether anesthesia during surgery. A year later, the first portable inhaler appeared, resembling a strange glass decanter with a leather mask.

9. Clockwork mechanism of the 1830s



10. Luxurious travel transformer of the 1890s



In an era when transatlantic voyages took weeks, and rich ladies carried with them up to 30 dresses, a brilliant hybrid appeared - a trunk-dresser (steamer trunk dresser). This was not just a luggage item, but practically a portable bedroom for aristocrats with drawers, shelves, hangers and secret compartments. Such gadgets were actively used by transatlantic passengers, actresses and diplomats.

11. Eccentric penny-farthing of the 1880s



In the Victorian era, when bicycles were just beginning to conquer the streets, the Penny Farthing became a symbol of technical audacity. And of ridiculous falls, too. It got its name for its resemblance to British coins: a huge front wheel (the "penny") and a tiny back wheel (the "farthing").

12. A luxurious dollhouse



In the 1880s, dollhouses were more than just toys. They were perfectly detailed copies of real houses, created to demonstrate status and wealth. The most luxurious examples were commissioned from furniture makers and even architects.