Are You Able To Pass This Vintage Items Quiz? Most Can’t!
Thanks to modern technology and amenities, many vintage items have gone out of style in favor of convenience. It is rare for people to find a fax machine in an office, while cell phones have taken over the need for household rotary phones.
Since so many vintage objects aren’t found in our day-to-day and solely in antique stores, people might have forgotten what they were used for and, more importantly, what the item is actually called! How many vintage items can you name?
We know what it looks like, but what do you think it is?
A. Word processor
B. Heart monitor
C. Scanner
D. Old dot matrix printer
Answer: Old dot matrix printer
It’s not a word processor, but it kind of looks like one. This is actually an old dot matrix printer. Many people remember pulling the perforated edges of the paper off once a job had finished printing.
These were used before refrigerators.
A. Cooled cabinets
B. Air-conditioned box
C. Water heater
D. Icebox
Answer: Icebox
As plain as the name sounds, these were simply called iceboxes. The refrigerator was a great upgrade in that department. Now we even have portable iceboxes to keep our food cold on the go.
These pre-dated DVDs for watching movies at home
A. Water container
B. Clock battery
C. Furniture holder
D. VHS
Answer: VHS
This is a VHS tape. These old bricks predated the popular DVD. You had to rewind them after each viewing or it would pick up where you last watched it. They even made special rewinders for this task.
This looks like a contraption from a scary film. What is it?
A. A knife sharpener
B. Bear trap
C. Muzzle
D. Toaster
Answer: Toaster
Surprisingly, this device isn’t a bear trap. It’s an old-school toaster, believe it or not. Thank goodness for the safety and convenience of the modernized toasters we have now.
What could this be?
A. Pencil sharpener
B. Button maker
C. Stamp machine
D. Sewing machine
Answer: Sewing machine
Some grandparents may still use one of these at home. It’s a classic sewing machine. Be careful, however, if you try to use one. You don’t want to put a stitch in your finger.
This little device is what?
A. Knife sharpener
B. Notary device
C. Hole punch
D. Pencil sharpener
Answer: Pencil sharpener
This is the classic (and loud) pencil sharpener. Equipped with a manual turning handle, many miss using this old form of sharpening pencils. Remember the pile of shavings that would pile up after a good sharpening?
What is this item?
A. Math squares
B. TV video clips
C. Physical MP3s
D. Floppy Disks
Answer: Floppy Disks
You would insert these into your computer and they would pull up your saved files. These used to be very commonplace but it’s rare to see them now.
What would you call this contraption?
A. Flyswatter
B. Incense
C. Embroiderer
D. Carpet beater
Answer: Carpet beater
The correct answer for this is carpet beater. It looks like a flyswatter and you probably could have used it for that. But this is primarily for beating the dust our of carpets.
Wow, this looks cool. What is the machine she’s using?
A. Music chair
B. Headphone holder
C. Electric chair
D. Typewriter
Answer: Typewriter
It’s a typewriter! This one happens to be attached to the chair if you’re wondering why it looks different. It also has a built-in light and headphones. How very modern.
What is this obscurity called?
A. Spinning address book
B. Calendar notes
C. Reminder clips
D. Stamp holder
Answer: Stamp holder
This is called a stamp holder. Hopefully, the labels didn’t give it away. These days when someone needs a stamp, they’re usually the self-inking type so you don’t need a separate ink pad.
This device looks interesting. What is it?
A. Paddle
B. Blow horn
C. Gun case
D. Bellows
Answer: Bellows
A device with an airbag that releases air when squeezed together is called a bellows. It was usually for blowing air into a fire. Bellows are also used in old photography. A camera bellows is the pleated and expandable part.
These portable and versatile items were called what?
A. Backscratcher
B. Scratching post
C. Air filter
D. Washboard
Answer: Washboard
These are mainly used as washboards. They also can be used as a live musical instrument. They were very versatile and of course, useful. Modern washing machines are much less labor-intensive though.
There were a lot of box-shaped objects back then. What is this one?
A. Autonomous voicemail recorder
B. Music box
C. Cable streamer
D. VCR
Answer: VCR
This is one of the early videocassette recorder (VCR) machines. They were used to play the VHS tapes you saw earlier. The first VCR was made available to the public in 1972.
Focus on that giant red and blue device. Its an oversized version of what?
A. Rollerblade wheel replacement
B. Feather duster
C. Ink replacement
D. Typewriter eraser
Answer: Typewriter eraser
It looks like it could easily be a rollerblade wheel replacement but this was called a typewriter eraser. The erasers were made of abrasive rubber. This sculpture called “Typewriter Eraser, Scale X” is located in Seattle, Washington.
What is this vintage item called?
A. Pepper grinder
B. Jack-in-the-box
C. Cookie jar
D. Coffee grinder
Answer: Coffee grinder
This item right here is nothing more than a classic coffee grinder. It almost passes for a huge pepper grinder, but not quite. Many people used to have coffee grinders mounted to their kitchen walls.
This is the vintage version of what?
A. Hole Puncher
B. Laminator
C. Bookmark creator
D. Stapler
Answer: Stapler
If you guessed hole puncher, we’re then sorry. This is a classic stapler. Henry R. Heyl invented the modern stapler, although there were earlier versions. Heyl filed the patent in 1877.
These devices aren’t commonly seen today.
A. Voice recorder
B. Radio
C. TV audio extension
D. Answering machine
Answer: Answering machine
This is the classic answering machine! If it was blinking with a red light then you knew you had a message waiting for you. Today most people use voicemail (or text messages) to let someone know they reached out.
Now, these are some interesting looking items.
A. Earrings
B. Talismans
C. Earring case
D. Bed warmer
Answer: Bed warmer
If you live in a cold climate without heating, bed warmers were a must! After warming up stones in the fire, you’d carefully place them in this invention and tuck it under the covers for warmth.
These are few and far between these days. What is the proper name?
A. Lamppost
B. Electric lamp
C. Fire lamp
D. Gas lamp
Answer: Gas lamp
Correct. These are called gas lamps. These historical-looking light fixtures aren’t as safe as lighting options we have today, but they’re quite beautiful on the street and are still used in some parts of the country.
These were the first type of what?
A. Ice chest
B. BBQ grill
C. Air conditioning
D. Refrigerators
Answer: Refrigerators
The Kelvinator was the first form of a refrigerator. Its name was a nod to the mathematical physicist and engineer William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin. He developed the concept of absolute zero temperature.
