20 Century-Old Life Hacks (21 Photos)

In the late 1880s, cigarette manufacturers began inserting stiff cardboard cards into paper packs to reinforce them and make them easier to handle. Before long, these cards featured printed illustrations, photos of celebrities, and pin-up girls, issued in themed collectible series. The practice continued until 1940, and today these vintage cigarette cards command high prices—one of the rarest sold in 2007 for a whopping $2.8 million.





Beyond their collectible value, the advice on some of these cards is surprisingly practical. In 1910, Gallaher Ltd in Belfast and London, alongside Imperial Tobacco Co.'s Ogden branch, printed a series of "How To" cards offering ingenious life hacks—ranging from crossing raging rivers to fending off rabid dogs. Remarkably, a few of these tricks remain surprisingly useful today.



1. How to Make an Emergency Fire Extinguisher

Dissolve 500 grams of salt and 250 grams of ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac) in two liters of water, then pour the mixture into glass bottles. If a fire breaks out, hurl one or more of these "fire grenades" directly into the flames to put them out.





2. How to Extract a Splinter

Fill a wide-mouthed bottle nearly to the brim with hot water and press the affected area firmly against the opening. The suction created as the bottle cools down will draw the skin outward and pull out the splinter.



3. How to Preserve Fresh Eggs

Bury fresh eggs completely in dry salt and store them in a cool place. As long as air is kept out, the eggs will stay fresh for an extended period.



4. How to Fell a Tree

Once you decide which direction you want the tree to fall, make two cuts on opposite sides: one higher up and the other lower down, as shown in the illustration.



5. How to Defend Yourself Against an Aggressive Dog

If a dog attacks you, hold up any object as a barrier—such as a hat placed on a cane or a stick held horizontally.

The dog will instinctively try to grab the obstacle first, giving you valuable time to defend yourself or deliver a kick.



6. How to Water Houseplants While Away

Heading out on vacation? This trick will keep your plants alive. Braid three to six strands of wool yarn into a thick cord.

Place a tub of water at a slightly higher elevation than your potted plants. Submerge one end of the cord in the water bucket and bury the other end in the soil of your plant pot. Capillary action will keep the soil constantly moist.



7. How to Light a Match in the Wind

To keep a match lit in gusty weather, use a pocketknife to carve small shavings along the wood toward the match head without cutting them off. The raised shavings will catch fire instantly and create a stronger flame.



8. How to Cross a Raging River

If your group needs to cross a fast-moving river and some members cannot swim, a rope rig can save the day.

A strong swimmer swims across first carrying a long rope and secures it firmly to a tree on the far bank. Create a loop or harness out of a second rope for a seat, then pull non-swimmers safely across along the main line.



9. How to Rescue Someone from Electric Shock

If someone is holding a live wire, never touch them with bare hands. Wrap your hands in rubber gloves, a waterproof raincoat, or several layers of dry cloth before attempting a rescue.

To insulate yourself from ground shock, stand on a sheet of glass or a piece of bone-dry wood before pulling the victim free.



10. How to Make an Emergency Water Filter

Drill a hole in the bottom of a galvanized bucket and fit it with a small spout tube. Fill the bucket with alternating layers of fine sand, coarse sand, gravel, and small stones. As dirty water trickles down through the layers, it comes out clean through the spout.



11. How to Use a Watch as a Compass

If you need to find your bearings without a compass, an analog watch will do the trick. Hold the watch flat and point the hour hand directly at the sun. Bisect the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock mark; an imaginary line bisecting this angle points due south. Note that before noon, south lies to the right of the sun, and after noon, to the left.



12. How to Detect a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are extremely hazardous, carrying risks of asphyxiation or explosion. Here is a simple way to test pipes and joints for leaks: paint soapy water onto suspected joints using a paintbrush and watch closely. If bubbles begin to form, you have a leak and should call the gas company immediately.



13. How to Pull Out a Long Nail

When pulling out a long or stubborn nail, place a small wooden block underneath the head of your claw hammer or crowbar to serve as a fulcrum. This gives you far more leverage and keeps the nail from bending.



14. How to Recork a Bottle

If you have ever tried to squeeze an expanded cork back into a bottle, you know how stubborn it can be. Instead of trimming it with a knife, place the cork on the floor under the sole of your shoe and roll it back and forth under pressure to compress it. For hygiene's sake, wrap the cork in a clean paper napkin first.



15. How to Keep a Precious Vase from Toppling

Prized vases seem to magnetically attract pets and energetic children. To protect your fragile heirlooms from being knocked over, pour a layer of clean sand into the bottom. This lowers their center of gravity and makes top-heavy or narrow-based vases remarkably stable.



16. How to Slice Fresh Bread

Cutting warm, fresh bread without squishing the loaf can be tricky. Dip your bread knife into hot water for a minute or two, wipe the blade dry, and slice away. The heated blade cuts cleanly without crushing the soft interior.



17. How to Keep Paint Off Your Hands

When painting overhead surfaces, paint eventually runs down the handle, dripping onto your hands and sleeves. To prevent a messy clean-up, cut a small slit in a piece of sturdy cardboard, slide it onto the handle of the brush as a guard, and start painting risk-free.



18. How to Draw a Perfect Ellipse

Most people know how to draw a circle using a string tied to a nail. Drawing a perfect ellipse is just as simple—all you need is a second nail, a loop of string, and a pencil pulled taut around both focal points.



19. How to Separate Stuck Glasses

When stacked drinking glasses get stuck together, trying to force them apart risks shattering the glass. Instead, use thermal expansion to your advantage. Place the outer glass in a bowl of hot water while filling the inner glass with cold water or ice cubes. The outer glass will expand while the inner glass contracts, allowing them to slide apart effortlessly.



20. How to Boil a Cracked Egg

Boiling an egg with a cracked shell usually results in a messy spill of egg whites into the pot. To prevent this, add a splash of vinegar to the water. The acid causes the egg white to coagulate instantly, sealing the crack. A tablespoon of salt works similarly, and neither affects the taste.

Of course, nowadays we can easily buy a fire extinguisher, a windproof lighter, or pepper spray. The catch is that few people think about these emergencies until they actually happen. Most of these century-old survival hacks come in handy during unexpected pinch points—and hopefully, you'll remember a few if you ever need them!