40 Life Hacks from 100 Years Ago That Are Still Useful in Today's Society

In the early 20th Century, Gallaher’s Cigarettes printed a special series of 100 “How to do it” cards that included some truly useful and helpful tips for everyday situations and problems. The entire 100 card collection is part of the New York Public Library’s George Arents Collection and was recently digitized. Here, below are 40 helpful tips:

1. How To Pull Out Long Nails

2. How To Detect Dampness in Beds

3. How To Kill a Tree Stump

4. How To Make a Simple Gate Latch

5. How To Make Corks Fit

6. How To Treat Sprains

7. A Hint When Boiling Potatoes

8. How To Make a Fire Extinguisher

9. How To Clean Real Lace

10. How To Make a Water Fountain for Chicks

11. How To Adjust a Door

12. How To Test Butter

13. How To Cool Wine with Ice

14. How To Clean an Oil Painting

15. How to Extract a Splinter

16. How To Treat Squeaky Boots

17. How To Remove a Tight Ring from the Finger

18. How To Carry a Heavy Jug

19. How To Clean Bottles

20. How To Measure With Coins

21. How To Clean New Boots

22. How To Cut New Bread Into Thin Slices

23. How To Detect Escaping Gas

24. How To Draw a Circle Without a Compass

25. How To Keep a Paint Brush Handle Clean

26. How To Draw an Ellipse with String

27. How To Preserve Valuable Vases

28. How To Remove a Stuck Glass Stopper

29. How To Take Ink Stains Out a Handkerchief

30. How To Pick Up Broken Glass

31. How To Remove Sea Stains from Brown Shoes

32. When Boiling Cracked Eggs

33. How To Separate Glass Tumblers

34. How to Light a Match in the Wind

35. How To Fit a Large Candle

36. How to Tell the Points of the Compass with a Watch

37. How To Revive Cut Flowers

38. How To Judge the Freshness of a Lobster

39. Three Useful Knots

40. How To Stop a Runaway Horse

(Images: George Arents Collection/ The New York Public Library, via Twisted Sifter)