beekeyknee
Well-known member
Is this show on BBC America? I can't find it.
10 dangerous things in Victorian/Edwardian homes
- Thread starter sudsmaster
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Is this show on BBC America?
I don't think so.
If Downton Abbey and other shows like The Paradise are to be believed, they tend to be available state-side about six months later than their airing in the UK.
I don't think so.
If Downton Abbey and other shows like The Paradise are to be believed, they tend to be available state-side about six months later than their airing in the UK.
FDR didn't believe things were that vile ...
The Jungle was published in 1905. FDR was president from 1932-1945.
I think maybe you meant TR, or Teddy Roosevelt?
The Jungle was published in 1905. FDR was president from 1932-1945.
I think maybe you meant TR, or Teddy Roosevelt?
Teddy It Was
And I thank you!
And I thank you!
davetranter
Well-known member
More
From Reply#15.. Yes, it is true that carbolic soaps such as Lifebuoy and Wright's Coal Tar are no longer available. The government and manufacturers (being aware of how 'conservative' the average Briton is) took pains not to publicise the fact, and those brands can still be bought. They do NOT, however, contain any of their old 'active ingredients', just artificial 'aromas' so that tablets of plain soap can be sold at an elevated price as 'medicated'. I discovered this when I noticed that Wright's soap no longer had any beneficial effect on my dry skin, and decided to do a bit of research.
The canned food for the Franklin Expedition was supplied to the Admiralty by Messrs. Samuel Goldner & Co. and they used (cheap) inferior solder to seal the cans, which contained an extremely high percentage of lead. This caused poor sealing of the cans, and also caused the alloy to be more readily dissolved into the foodstuffs.
From Reply#16.. Grease balls in the London (and other) sewers. I don't put ANY grease, oil or fat down the drain, but, sadly, many do. It's all part of the 'Don't know, Don't care' attitude that is now rife in this (once great) country. The education of our youngsters is (and has been for some time) so inadequate that few of them have the slightest idea what happens to materials poured 'down the plughole'... They just seem to magically disappear!! The result being that our waste water transport and processing plant is grossly overloaded at pretty much every point. :-(
All best
Dave T
From Reply#15.. Yes, it is true that carbolic soaps such as Lifebuoy and Wright's Coal Tar are no longer available. The government and manufacturers (being aware of how 'conservative' the average Briton is) took pains not to publicise the fact, and those brands can still be bought. They do NOT, however, contain any of their old 'active ingredients', just artificial 'aromas' so that tablets of plain soap can be sold at an elevated price as 'medicated'. I discovered this when I noticed that Wright's soap no longer had any beneficial effect on my dry skin, and decided to do a bit of research.
The canned food for the Franklin Expedition was supplied to the Admiralty by Messrs. Samuel Goldner & Co. and they used (cheap) inferior solder to seal the cans, which contained an extremely high percentage of lead. This caused poor sealing of the cans, and also caused the alloy to be more readily dissolved into the foodstuffs.
From Reply#16.. Grease balls in the London (and other) sewers. I don't put ANY grease, oil or fat down the drain, but, sadly, many do. It's all part of the 'Don't know, Don't care' attitude that is now rife in this (once great) country. The education of our youngsters is (and has been for some time) so inadequate that few of them have the slightest idea what happens to materials poured 'down the plughole'... They just seem to magically disappear!! The result being that our waste water transport and processing plant is grossly overloaded at pretty much every point. :-(
All best
Dave T
Have A Decent Stash of Vintage Lifebuoy Soaps
Both carbolic and the later version with triclosan. Physician said they are ok to use now and then but not to make it a habit and to rinse well afterwards.
Find the scent of the carbolic rather interesting, couldn't put my finger on it at first, but then one day in the shower it came to me; *LYSOL*! *LOL* One was bathing with Lysol! Both are phenol based products so it shouldn't have come as a surprise.
Am here to tell you that both versions of Lifebuoy soaps are rather harsh. One's skin is left dry after bathing requiring generous application of thick body cream afterwards. Also found for hand washing the stuff can leave your hands red and raw if used too frequently.
Both carbolic and the later version with triclosan. Physician said they are ok to use now and then but not to make it a habit and to rinse well afterwards.
Find the scent of the carbolic rather interesting, couldn't put my finger on it at first, but then one day in the shower it came to me; *LYSOL*! *LOL* One was bathing with Lysol! Both are phenol based products so it shouldn't have come as a surprise.
Am here to tell you that both versions of Lifebuoy soaps are rather harsh. One's skin is left dry after bathing requiring generous application of thick body cream afterwards. Also found for hand washing the stuff can leave your hands red and raw if used too frequently.
@sudsmaster
"@supersuds... From your link...
Celluloid
Collars made of the first plastic were available after the invention of Celluloid in 1870. These reproductions are made of acetate instead of celluloid, as celluloid is extremely flammable. "
Ha! I couldn't find that at all. Then I noticed I was on the mobile version of the site; switching to the standard version shows the quoted language.
What's a good product for removing egg from faces? No carbolic, please.
"@supersuds... From your link...
Celluloid
Collars made of the first plastic were available after the invention of Celluloid in 1870. These reproductions are made of acetate instead of celluloid, as celluloid is extremely flammable. "
Ha! I couldn't find that at all. Then I noticed I was on the mobile version of the site; switching to the standard version shows the quoted language.
What's a good product for removing egg from faces? No carbolic, please.
What's a good product for removing egg from faces?
Not to worry. I doubt that anyone rushed out to put on some celluloid collars or cuffs based on what they read here.
But now I'm curious about ping pong balls. I wonder if they are still made of celluloid.
Not to worry. I doubt that anyone rushed out to put on some celluloid collars or cuffs based on what they read here.
But now I'm curious about ping pong balls. I wonder if they are still made of celluloid.
Anti-Bacterial Soaps and "Red-Raw Hands"
... I feel like I'm reliving that time where we ended up with some of that dreadful stuff in the bathroom "Because it was on special at the store."
I had to refill the soap dispenser one day, and upon using the soap was finding that it wasn't lathering like it ought to. "Little matter, just use more then check the softener to ensure we've still got enough salt." Well, I checked the salt and it was fine, but that soap stuff just refused to lather.
Then, my knuckles started to dry out, crack and bleed. It was terrible at work, since you are exposed to money and several cleaning products (Like Hand Sanitiser!).
Then I added 2+2. It equalled 4. I stopped using that horrid soap, and had to start (Literally) caking my hands with moisturiser and Paw-Paw ointments for several days until the problem ceased.
So now I try to warn my customers about the soap, when they buy it. I also refuse to use the hand-sanitiser at work, since it starts to dry my hands out again. I just have to take more lavatory breaks now - Yay for me, Lol!
Back on topic though - I loved that little bit on the "Electric Tea-Cloths." I can see why such an invention would have failed, rather epically at that too!
... I feel like I'm reliving that time where we ended up with some of that dreadful stuff in the bathroom "Because it was on special at the store."
I had to refill the soap dispenser one day, and upon using the soap was finding that it wasn't lathering like it ought to. "Little matter, just use more then check the softener to ensure we've still got enough salt." Well, I checked the salt and it was fine, but that soap stuff just refused to lather.
Then, my knuckles started to dry out, crack and bleed. It was terrible at work, since you are exposed to money and several cleaning products (Like Hand Sanitiser!).
Then I added 2+2. It equalled 4. I stopped using that horrid soap, and had to start (Literally) caking my hands with moisturiser and Paw-Paw ointments for several days until the problem ceased.
So now I try to warn my customers about the soap, when they buy it. I also refuse to use the hand-sanitiser at work, since it starts to dry my hands out again. I just have to take more lavatory breaks now - Yay for me, Lol!
Back on topic though - I loved that little bit on the "Electric Tea-Cloths." I can see why such an invention would have failed, rather epically at that too!
Guitar Picks
Last I checked, "tortoise shell" look guitar picks are still commonly made of celluloid. When they get roughed up on the strings they have the right smell. I think today most of the solid color picks are molded from Acetyl (Delrin). The acetyl picks are harder and last longer but the celluloid picks may still be sought out for acoustic instruments.
Years ago I remember sitting back stage in a bar and I lit a guitar pick and I was surprised at how quickly it disappeared.
Last I checked, "tortoise shell" look guitar picks are still commonly made of celluloid. When they get roughed up on the strings they have the right smell. I think today most of the solid color picks are molded from Acetyl (Delrin). The acetyl picks are harder and last longer but the celluloid picks may still be sought out for acoustic instruments.
Years ago I remember sitting back stage in a bar and I lit a guitar pick and I was surprised at how quickly it disappeared.
Hmm. Somewhere I think I have an old tortoise shell guitar pick, given to me by one Tim Hardin long ago. Don't know where it is as the moment, though. Someone may have lit it up already.
Gas was manufactured from coal and contained more carbon monoxide by volume than automobile exhaust. Hence the many accidental aspyxiations and suicides. The natural gas we use today is far safer in this respect. It can only kill if a sufficient(very large) amount collects to displace oxygen. Rare but it happens.Happened about two years ago in New York when a mother killed her kids by turning on the unlit stove burners after she sealed up the room tightly. Enough of the gas collected to kill her kids by displacing the oxygen in the room.,but din't kill her.
It's actually something to bear in mind when dealing with vintage appliances
Make sure you're plugged into a GFCI (US terminology) or RCD (Euro Terminology)
Old appliances, especially pre-1950s often didn't have much in the way of grounding and if they did it was often risky inadequate by modern standards
Also most older appliances had metal bodies, as plastics didn't really arrive until much later.
Make sure you're plugged into a GFCI (US terminology) or RCD (Euro Terminology)
Old appliances, especially pre-1950s often didn't have much in the way of grounding and if they did it was often risky inadequate by modern standards
Also most older appliances had metal bodies, as plastics didn't really arrive until much later.
Coal gas
As I recall this used to be called "city gas" or "town gas" and yes it could be quite deadly.
I've also heard that someone trying to commit suicide with today's natural gas is more likely to be killed or injured by a resultant explosion than by asphyxiation. Unfortunately they are more likely to take innocents with them in the blast.
As I recall this used to be called "city gas" or "town gas" and yes it could be quite deadly.
I've also heard that someone trying to commit suicide with today's natural gas is more likely to be killed or injured by a resultant explosion than by asphyxiation. Unfortunately they are more likely to take innocents with them in the blast.
polkanut
Well-known member
"Coal gas"
This is what is usually meant in old movies, books, radio shows etc. when someone sticks their head in the oven or turns on the gas jets without lighting them.
This is what is usually meant in old movies, books, radio shows etc. when someone sticks their head in the oven or turns on the gas jets without lighting them.
Common and Uncomon Utility Hazards:
Electricity...! Gas...! Even WATER and TELEPHONE!!!!
Like what's been said, w/o AGA, UL and S/A regulations, the accidental and even purposeful use, misuse and abuse, back in those days, ran from fatal to deadly!!!!
-- Dave
Electricity...! Gas...! Even WATER and TELEPHONE!!!!
Like what's been said, w/o AGA, UL and S/A regulations, the accidental and even purposeful use, misuse and abuse, back in those days, ran from fatal to deadly!!!!
-- Dave
cornutt
Well-known member
There's still a special section in the National Electrical Code (U.S.) for film projection rooms.
And I was just reading the other day about the hazards of the "All American Five" radios of the 1950s. The way some of them were wired, there was no way to plug them in (even with a properly polarized outlet, which a lot of houses didn't have then) such that the metal chassis and everything in contact with wasn't hot. With some of them, the chassis was hot even when the radio was turned off. And since the user had to open it periodically to test and replace tubes, you can imagine. At least most of the early TV sets had interlocked power cords.
And I was just reading the other day about the hazards of the "All American Five" radios of the 1950s. The way some of them were wired, there was no way to plug them in (even with a properly polarized outlet, which a lot of houses didn't have then) such that the metal chassis and everything in contact with wasn't hot. With some of them, the chassis was hot even when the radio was turned off. And since the user had to open it periodically to test and replace tubes, you can imagine. At least most of the early TV sets had interlocked power cords.
I found an old 1940s Radiogram that my great grandmother originally owned.
It had no plug, so I wired one up. The cord was just twisted pair with no way of identifying line and neutral.
I plugged it in and it powered up. Valves (tubes) began to glow and it dropped a record onto the turntable and played.
The radio worked but there are hardly any stations on long Wave and Medium Wave (AM) anymore. It did pick up RTE Radio 1 and BBC Radio 4 and Radio France 'Inter'.
The scary bit though was when one of the knobs fell off. I touched the chassis or the shaft of the knob and the power was cut by the RCD (GFCI). They've been mandatory here on outlet circuits since the late 1970s.
However, without the RCD I would have gotten a really nasty shock!
Electrical systems in general are very very unlikely to shock you. But, can you imagine how dangerous some of these devices were around kids back in the old days when all that was protecting you was a a melting fuse!
Back in the 1940s houses were full of all sorts of early 20th century wiring, pretty dangerous gas appliances, heaters with open flames, open fires and household chemicals that wouldn't be allowed these days!
Our wiring system did introduce grounding and polarised sockets very early though. They seem to have been present in the 1920s and shuttered outlets became the norm from the 1950s.
It had no plug, so I wired one up. The cord was just twisted pair with no way of identifying line and neutral.
I plugged it in and it powered up. Valves (tubes) began to glow and it dropped a record onto the turntable and played.
The radio worked but there are hardly any stations on long Wave and Medium Wave (AM) anymore. It did pick up RTE Radio 1 and BBC Radio 4 and Radio France 'Inter'.
The scary bit though was when one of the knobs fell off. I touched the chassis or the shaft of the knob and the power was cut by the RCD (GFCI). They've been mandatory here on outlet circuits since the late 1970s.
However, without the RCD I would have gotten a really nasty shock!
Electrical systems in general are very very unlikely to shock you. But, can you imagine how dangerous some of these devices were around kids back in the old days when all that was protecting you was a a melting fuse!
Back in the 1940s houses were full of all sorts of early 20th century wiring, pretty dangerous gas appliances, heaters with open flames, open fires and household chemicals that wouldn't be allowed these days!
Our wiring system did introduce grounding and polarised sockets very early though. They seem to have been present in the 1920s and shuttered outlets became the norm from the 1950s.
Film projection rooms are a changin!!NO MORE FILM!!And film has been non-flammable for DECADES when it was used until digital took over.Film processing labs are closing worldwide!so your theater is being FORCED by he "film mogels" to change to digital projection systems.Its getting cheaper for them to ship " DCPs"instead of film cans.Instead of locks on film cans to prevent "piracy" the DCP content has to be "unlocked" by a "KDM" before you can play the movie.And if the KDM expires just before the movie is to be shown--you are out of luck until you immiedaitly EMail the studio to EMail you a new KDM.
We have been living with "transformerless" "Hot chassis" TV's and radios,record players for how many decades-they haven't been killing too many people in droves.You can install a polarized cord and plug on a hot chassis appliance-neutral lead to chassis and hot to the machine power switch.You can also install an isolation transformer if there is room in the machine.
We have been living with "transformerless" "Hot chassis" TV's and radios,record players for how many decades-they haven't been killing too many people in droves.You can install a polarized cord and plug on a hot chassis appliance-neutral lead to chassis and hot to the machine power switch.You can also install an isolation transformer if there is room in the machine.
An old radio should probably get a new power cord anyway. Neutral to the chassis, hot to the power lead on the transformer.
I think.
I think.
