Seriously, Read This! 40 Vintage Life Hacks from 100 Years Ago THEY SO WORK!

Back in the 1900s, cigarette manufactures used to insert stiffening cards into their paper cigarette packs to add strength and help them last longer. Along the way, someone had the bright idea of printing trivia, artwork and even famous people and athletes (Honus Wagner anyone?) onto the stiffening cards.

In the early 20th Century, Gallaher’s Cigarettes printed a special series of 100 “How to do it” cards that included some truly useful and helpful tips for everyday situations and problems. The entire 100 card collection is part of the New York Public Library’s George Arents Collection and was recently digitized.

Below you will find 40 of the Sifter’s personal favorites. Visit the NYPL Digital Collections to see them all.

 

 

1. How to Extract a Splinter

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

2. How to Light a Match in the Wind

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

3. How to Tell the Points of the Compass with a Watch

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

4. How To Treat Sprains

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

5. How To Make a Fire Extinguisher

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

6. How To Carry a Heavy Jug

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

7. A Hint When Boiling Potatoes

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

8. How To Kill a Tree Stump

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

9. How To Make Corks Fit

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

10. How To Pull Out Long Nails

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

11. How To Measure With Coins

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

12. How To Detect Escaping Gas

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

13. How To Cool Wine with Ice

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

14. When Boiling Cracked Eggs

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

15. How To Preserve Valuable Vases

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

16. How To Remove Sea Stains from Brown Shoes

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

17. How To Make a Simple Gate Latch

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

18. How To Clean an Oil Painting

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

19. How To Test Butter

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

20. How To Draw a Circle Without a Compass

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George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

21. How To Clean Real Lace

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

22. How To Revive Cut Flowers

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

23. How To Judge the Freshness of a Lobster

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

24. How To Make a Water Fountain for Chicks

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

25. How To Treat Squeaky Boots

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

26. How To Adjust a Door

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

27. How To Cut New Bread Into Thin Slices

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

28. How To Remove a Stuck Glass Stopper

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

29. How To Detect Dampness in Beds

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

30. How To Draw an Ellipse with String

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

31. How To Pick Up Broken Glass

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

32. How To Stop a Runaway Horse

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

33. How To Clean New Boots

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

34. How To Remove a Tight Ring from the Finger

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

35. How To Keep a Paint Brush Handle Clean

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

36. How To Take Ink Stains Out a Handkerchief

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

37. How To Fit a Large Candle

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

38. How To Clean Bottles

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

39. Three Useful Knots

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

 

 

40. How To Separate Glass Tumblers

George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library

Sources 1,2,3