When we look at cultural and societal differences between people and us from the early 20th century, it almost seems like they were of a different species. We often stumble upon pictures of old farmers with pitchforks and admire just how tough their lives were back then.
Many of these once-popular items now look like something straight out of a horror film, and many horror movies are actually based on these old toys. Just imagine that it was socially acceptable to give this nightmare-inducing toy to your kid back in the day. Never mind that it’s a serious choking hazard, how does a child willingly take this thing!?
Hasbro’s Lite-Brite Toy From the ‘60s and ‘70s
Most concepts for toys were quite simple in the 20th century; they seemed like something anybody could think of, and yet, almost no one did. Hasbro was one of the unique companies at the time that managed to design, package, and sell kids' toys in bulk and delighted millions of kids in the process.
The Lite-Brite was one of Hasbro’s most successful toys at the time and consisted of a back-lit board with pins and a bunch of colored plastic pegs. The point of the toy was to stick these pegs and assemble a low-resolution piece of art. Once the assembling was complete, you’d turn on the light and enjoy staring at your beautiful creation.
This 1947 Truck, Used to Transport Beer Around Britain
Beer was mostly transported via railroads in the 20th century, but a few beer companies changed that and opted to use roads instead. This was a great way for them to advertise their brand, which is why their trucks were so glamorous and attention-grabbing. Labatt focused on truck transportation for their beers and only stopped the practice in the ‘50s.
Labatt’s trucks were discovered just a few decades ago in London, Ontario, and were patched up for display. Nowadays, beer is shipped in a variety of ways. As ineffective as these trucks were, we’d sure love it if truck companies put as much love in their designs as they used to back in the day.
These Pinball Machines From the Late ‘60s
After World War II ended, arcades and bowling alleys became the place to be in America and were the growth industries of the 20th century. Almost every American would go at least once a month to one of these, as they were the quintessential meeting place for families and friends.
Manufacturers like Gottlieb began creating various pinball machines and other famous gaming stations which are still used today. Many collectors view Gottlieb’s pinball machines as the best ever made. These were much simpler times, and Americans were mostly unified, as their main focus was dedicated to preventing a nuclear war with Soviet Russia.
This Classical Keaton Typewriter
The Keaton Music Typewriter was one of the most significant inventions for annotating musical sheets. First invented and patented in 1936, this instrument had 14 keys and was sold for about $2,500 in today's money. It got a huge upgrade in 1953, as the number of keys had gone up significantly, from 14 to 33.
The Keaton Music Typewriter's design gave it a distinct look which made it very unique. It was used by many publishers, educators, and musicians who produced music copies in quantity. The device can be purchased online for anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000. The Keaton Music Typewriter is supposedly quite comfortable to use, although today’s typing musicians would probably argue otherwise.