Bruno Pugh
Your home is filled with the latest comforts, but some of these “modern” essentials have been around longer than your great-great-grandparents. Everyday items like scissors and ceiling fans aren’t as new as they seem. Shocking, right? Here are 20 things in your home that might seem like modern inventions but have been used for centuries.
Scissors
You probably don’t think twice about snipping paper or slicing through packaging, but scissors have been cutting these things since ancient Egypt, around 1500 BC. Back then, they were made of bronze and looked more like tweezers. Modern design? Nope. Just an ancient tool that still rules.
Coffee Percolator
Brewing coffee wasn’t always smooth sailing. The first known patent for a percolator came from James Nason in 1865, and Hanson Goodrich perfected the modern design in 1889. Otherwise, making coffee was messy guesswork back then. Thanks to these inventors, your morning brew got a serious upgrade.
Mason Jar
Have you seen those trendy mason jars that are used to keep overnight oats? They’ve been around since 1858 because of John Landis Mason. He cracked the food preservation code with a screw-on lid and glass jar combo. What’s old is cool again, as these jars have been sealing the deal for over 160 years.
Safety Pin
The safety pin isn’t just a fashion statement or an alternative to keys, as they show in the movies. Safety pins have been holding things together since 1849. Walter Hunt invented this tiny tool to save clothes and fingers from disaster. Hunt even sold the patent for $400. It turns out that good design really comes in small packages.
Can Opener
Before 1870, getting to open a can was a workout. Thankfully, William W. Lyman saved dinners everywhere with the rotary can opener and its handy cutting wheel. Suddenly, opening a can didn’t feel like a battle with a medieval weapon. Now, it’s still that twist of the wrist from the past.
Electric Mixer
Baking used to mean beating eggs by hand until your arm fell off. In 1930, the Sunbeam Mixmaster surprised bakers everywhere by canceling this upper-body workout. Since then, whipping up cake batter has been effortless. Now, cookies, cakes, and fluffy frostings are a flick of a switch away.
Dishwasher
Are you fed up with those dishes piling up in your sink? Josephine Cochrane had enough of that back in 1886. She invented the first practical dishwasher and made after-dinner cleanups less of a nightmare. Her motto? “If nobody else is going to do it, I’ll invent it myself.” Kitchens haven’t been the same since.
Vacuum Cleaner
Electric vacuum cleaners came much later than Daniel Hess’s models from the 1860s. Hess’s design proved that cleaner floors were no longer limited to sweeping and toiling. The first manual vacuums were no doubt bulky and awkward, but they sucked up dirt like champs.
Electric Iron
Wrinkles have been the enemy forever, and most people don’t know that the solution was rolled out even before they were born. In 1910, the Chicago Flexible Shaft Company delivered the first electric iron, making laundry day less of a slog. No more heating irons on stoves or fires. Just plug in, press out, and feel like you’re winning at adulting.
Ceiling Fan
Philip H. Diehl cranked out the first electric ceiling fan in 1882, and homes have been airy ever since. Originally, fans used belts and water power. Then came Diehl’s design, which brought cool air with just a flick of a switch. Comfort went from sweaty to sweetly effortless.
Refrigerator
Warm milk, spoiled meat, and melted butter used to be daily struggles. Then, 1913 came along, and the first household refrigerator changed everything. Food finally got a proper chill, thanks to electric cooling. Fridges today save leftovers and mental well-being, one cold shelf after another.
Microwave Oven
In 1947, the first microwave, the Radarange, zapped its way into kitchens. Inspired by a melted candy bar during radar research, this appliance made reheating ridiculously fast. In the beginning, it was once the size of a fridge. It’s now your favorite device for reheating snacks in seconds.
Blender
Before the Waring Blendor hit kitchens in 1937, mixing drinks meant shaking, stirring, and lots of effort. Fred Waring changed the game with his electric blender, making smoothies and milkshakes a breeze. Suddenly, pulverizing fruit and ice became a 1930s-era thrill ride.
Electric Toaster
Burnt fingers and smoky bread were the norms until 1925 when the Toastmasters delivered the first pop-up toaster. Bread goes in, and golden perfection pops out. No more babysitting the toast. Breakfast became a little easier—and mornings a little less cranky.
Toothbrush
The first bristle toothbrush came from 15th-century China. It was crafted with hog hair and bamboo and was rougher than any modern dentist-approved version. Ancient dental care wasn’t exactly gentle, but hey, clean teeth have been a thing way before minty-fresh toothpastes were made.
Food Processor
Chopping onions with tears of frustration? The Universal Food Chopper from 1898 spared home cooks some misery. Early versions are cranked by hand—still diced, minced, and shredded. The modern food processor just gave your wrists a well-deserved break.
Coffee Grinder
Coffee lovers, rejoice! Grinding beans by hand has been a thing for centuries. When electric coffee grinders showed up in the early 20th century, mornings got way smoother. Freshly ground coffee without cranking your wrist is pure bliss because stale coffee just isn’t worth it.
Electric Kettle
Prior to 1891, boiling water meant waiting forever on the stove. The Carpenter Electric Company changed the game with the first electric kettle. Boil water faster, spill less, and get your tea or coffee fix without the long wait. It’s simple and so satisfying.
Sewing Machine
Needle and thread took forever before 1846. That year, Elias Howe’s sewing machine hit the scene. It stitched faster than human hands ever could, making DIY repairs and fashion creations easier, quicker, and fun. Grandma’s sewing table is basically the original home-based fashion studio.
Wallpaper
Walls were boring until wallpaper came along—and it’s been sprucing up homes since 200 BCE in China. By the 16th century, Europe caught on to printed wallpaper’s charm. Fast-forward, and your accent wall’s got history, style, and a touch of centuries-old flair.