I am Trying to Remember Just What That Is Quiz

Answer: Gasoline

This contraption is an old gas pump from the earlier part of the 20th century. Most of these early model gasoline pumps had a calibrated glass cylinder on the top of the machine. The fuel was pumped into the cylinder after which it flowed out the hose using gravity to deposit it into the automobile tank. These apparatus are highly collectable and can be sold for thousands of dollars.

Answer: Warming a bed

This lovely device is an antique bed warmer. The lid lifted up and hot embers were put inside. It was then slid between the sheets of the bed to warm it up. These were commonly used before household electricity allowed for heating implements that did not involve fire.

These were very effective and simple tools, but were sometimes the cause of house fires. These bed warmers are highly coveted by collectors and those in pristine condition can be sold for hundreds of dollars.

Answer: Toaster

This is an early model electric toaster. In the center were heating elements and each side had a door that folded down. A slice of bread was laid on the door which was then closed. The bread toasted on one side at a time, so the user had to watch closely and remove the bread, turn it around and toast the other side. Only one side of the bread was toasted at a time and the toaster only held two pieces of bread. (This particular toaster was designed to be plugged into a light bulb socket, as opposed to an outlet in the wall.

Many early electric appliances were designed with this type of plug).

Answer: Laundry

This was an innovative, top of the line, washing machine of the late 19th century. This type of washing machine was used in many areas until the 1930s. It was a big step up from the tub of hot water and scrub board the was used for centuries. Clothes were not washed every time they were worn and laundry was one of the most labor-intensive household chores. Laundry was often sent out to a washerwoman if the homeowner was wealthy enough. In order to reduce the number of times that laundering was necessary, many richer families kept several - sometimes even dozens of sets of table linens all of which contained the set number embroidered near the motif or initials.

The top of this hand-powered machine lifted up and clothing, very hot water, and lye soap was put inside a rounded drum inside. The lever was pulled back and forth turning the drum. When the clothes were clean, they had to be rinsed by hand and then wrung out by squeezing. They were then spread over a bush or hung on a fence or clothes line until they were dry. We sometimes forget just how good we have it today.

Answer: Hair comb

For centuries women wore their hair long and used hair combs to keep it in place one they placed their hair in an appropriate hairstyle. Most combs were simple affairs, but there were some produced that were a type of hair jewelry. Cattle bone was commonly used as were ivory and even jade. For the fanciest styles, a variety of gemstones were sometimes used, for those who could afford it.

This unusual hair comb is actually made from a dried buffalo tongue.

Answer: False

A chamber pot was definitely not used to serve soup. It was used as a toilet for centuries before indoor plumbing became available to the masses. There were many designs but most looked like this one. Once it had been used the user had to find somewhere to empty it.

It was not uncommon for it to be emptied out the window of the home. So the next time you have to clean the bathroom, think of what the alternative could be.

Answer: Grind coffee beans

This is a coffee grinder. It is a simple hand operated mill that ground the coffee beans down to an appropriate texture for brewing. Whole beans went in the top and the ground bean ended up in the drawer in the bottom. For centuries coffee beans were ground just before brewing to ensure the freshest coffee available.

Answer: False

This is a set of branding irons that were used to mark cattle with the owners brand.

Answer: Charcoal iron

This object is known as a charcoal iron. The handle is attached to the removable top. Hot coals were dropped in and the lid was put back on. The heated metal was then used to press out the wrinkles in fabric. The downside to this type of iron was that it occasionally imparted a smoky smell to fabrics, and if great care was not taken, it could burn the fabric.

Answer: Butter

This object is known as a butter churn. Today, this process is done mechanically, but for many years, churning butter was one of the exhausting household chores performed by homemakers and children. Cream was added to the churn and the plunger-style pole was used to agitate the cream causing it to clump.

The continued churning caused the butter to solidify and separate from the liquid, which is known as buttermilk. Most churns were made of wood, but there are some example made from a variety of metals.