See the wild evolution of everyday items from the 1900s
If there is one thing that’s constant in our lives, it’s that things continue to change.
Over time, the things that once served a purpose in people’s lives lose meaning or evolve to become modernized versions of what they once were.
Fitness Was All The Rage
The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought a fitness craze that’s responsible for much of the modern gym equipment we see today.
As this photo demonstrates, the principles of gym equipment remain the same, even if the equipment itself looks a little different.
A Fully Restored Hand Drill
Hand tools in the early 1900s, like this drill, were considered top-of-the-line technology at the time.
Someone took the time to fully restore this hand drill to its original glory.
Trains Were Everywhere
The steam locomotive was one of the 19th century’s most important inventions, and by the early 20th century, train tracks crisscrossed much of the planet.
However, while trains were prevalent, the coal-powered locomotives of the early 20th century were a far cry from the cleaner, more efficient diesel models that came later.
Baseball Was Becoming The National Pastime
This shot of the first World Series in 1903 shows that, at the time, fences at a ballpark were really just a suggestion. Areas of the field were roped off to allow extra spectators, and when the game finished, fans would file out along the field itself.
In time, the ramshackle wooden ballparks of the 19th century would be replaced by more modern edifices made of concrete and steel.
X-Ray Machines Did Exist
X-rays were discovered after experimentation with Crookes tubes — a type of electrical discharge device — around 1870 or so, and x-ray machines soon followed.
This image of an X-ray machine from the turn of the century shows something that would look at once familiar and out of place in a modern hospital, likely because it’s made of polished wood rather than metal.
The Evolution Of Football Helmet Technology
Football helmets have come a long way, and some people would argue they still have a ways to go.
The idea of head protection and concussion prevention has been improved upon greatly since the early 1900s helmet shown on the left, but long-term brain injuries remain a problem for professional athletes.
Calculators Then And Now
Calculators used to take up half the desk in order to do their computing. In this day and age, most people carry their calculator around in their pocket via a cell phone app.
The calculator pictured on the right is a bit more standard for math classrooms and they are basically mini-computers with a specific job.
Movies Were A Novelty
In the early days of cinema, the plot or characters of a given film were secondary, as the novelty lay entirely in the fact that moving images were being displayed on a screen.
It stands to reason that before movie theatres took old, movies would be advertised and shown at carnival stands such as this one, where barkers would entice people to come in and see the new technology for themselves.
The Average House Fan Has Come A Long Way
Antique fans were more like spinning danger blades in a rickety cage than anything else.
Modern fans look more like robots than fans, but they have the power of a small wind storm.
Blimps and Balloons Were Being Rapidly Developed
Lighter-than-air balloons predated airplanes, and for a time were the only way for humans to get aloft in the sky.
This balloon features a “sky cycle” which allows the user to pedal a bicycle to control its movements.
This Tinker Train That Survived The Elements
This tiny toy train has seen some miles in its years.
The metal toy was found in someone’s yard in the garden and shows just how far toy design has come.
A Luxury Car
This car was one of the most luxurious models available at the time it was in production.
As long as it didn’t rain, the people in the car were the sharpest folks on the street.
This Top-Of-The-Line Kitchen Appliance Set
Vintage kitchens have become all the rage among home decor enthusiasts.
This 1930s Magic Chef 6300 series antique stove set is in pristine condition, but it’s clear to see that space conservation wasn’t a huge priority in kitchen appliances.
The Typewriter
This vintage typewriter is one of the earliest versions of a keyboard to exist, with a spool of paper and letter stamps that soak to the page.
There was no such thing as “delete” or “backspace” on these.
This Electric Iron Didn’t Catch On
The inventor of this electric “roller” iron claimed that it was just as efficient as a conventional iron, and much easier to handle as well.
While it’s an impressively modern-looking device for the early 20th century, it seems that conventional irons won out in the end.
Cameras Used To Be Bigger Than Cars
Long before virtually everyone carried a video camera in their pockets on smartphones, these monstrous cameras were used to snap a photo.
They took multiple people to set up and operate and they were an expensive luxury at the time.
Retro Gasoline Pump Restored To Its Glory Days
Gas pumps used to be a lot smaller than they are today.
This retro pump was restored by a collector who brought it back to its original beauty mainly using original parts.
Vacuum Cleaners Could Be Massive
To be fair, this image shows what would have been the equivalent of an industrial vacuum cleaner, and it’s likely that home-based vacuums would have been at least a little bit smaller.
Still, this is a massive, dumpster-sized device that this mobile vacuum cleaner occupies.
Airplane Prototypes Were A Safety Hazard
The first versions of airplanes were more like rickety contraptions designed to stay in the air for a short period of time before they came crashing down.
We’ve come a long way since this archaic air travel style that was propelled by a bicycle.
Camouflage Used To Be Suspect
This military-grade camouflage from the early 1900s may have actually drawn attention to soldiers.
Our modern camouflage clothing technology has come a long way since this photo was taken.
This Century-Old Circuit Breaker Panel
This contraption was found in a Midwestern house that was built in the early 1900s. The new homeowner asked Reddit what they were looking at.
Redditor MeEvilBob had the answer: “This is the century-old equivalent to your circuit breaker panel. The two sockets on top are for screw fuses and the thing on the bottom is a knife switch like you’d see in the Frankenstein movies.”
A Vintage Gramophone
In modern times, it’s pretty easy to listen to music on the go, or to set up speakers for outdoor listening.
As this World War I photo demonstrates, it was possible to listen to music while out in the field – but doing so required some seriously bulky equipment.
This 150-Year-Old House—Then And Now
Someone snapped a photo of their grandparents’ 150-year-old home next to a black and white photo of the home taken in the early 1900s.
The original structure of the home still stands tall over a century later.
Calculators Were Very Involved
A calculator, even an analog model, is a type of computer, so it’s fair to say that this photo from the turn of the century shows a man using a computer.
Still, the sheer size and complexity of this calculator shows that the technology had a long way to go.
Ladies’ Swimwear Was Extremely Modest
Women’s bathing suits from the early 1900s were actually more like bathing gowns.
The swimsuits pictured above were made up of shin-length dresses and stockings that went above the knee. Basically, they were a drowning hazard.
Early Planes Were Experimental
This odd-looking plane is the Farman F.60 Goliath, an early biplane that was designed as a heavy bomber and was later reworked to carry the mail.
While the Goliath’s design didn’t last, the plane is credited with helping create commercial passenger routes throughout Europe after World War I.
This Bicycle Pram
This carriage/tricycle invention was called a “bike pram” and they were popular in Europe in the early 1900s.
They are a rare sight today and definitely did not have great steering abilities.
The Original Portable Camera
Believe it or not, this large box is one of the earliest models of a handheld camera.
It was very heavy and took an entire suitcase to haul around, but it’s responsible for a lot of the earliest photos that we have from history!
A Reusable Pocket Grocery List
This metal pocket-sized grocery list has been dated around 1940 based on the “frozen food” item on the list.
Most people today add their grocery notes to their phones, but this invention was popular for a while.
Cars Were In Their Infancy
The early days of automobiles brought plenty of weird and wacky cars that wouldn’t stand the test of time.
A perfect example is this French car which boasts an “air-driven system.” It looks more like a massive, likely hazardous, propeller.
