Electricity caused endless changes to the world at large and homes specifically, and one of the biggest ones is no longer using natural gas to power everything inside. Before even using gas to power things, coal was the way to warm up your home, and small doors – coal chutes – leading to the basement were the way coal delivery men would dump coal.
Once gas overtook coal, a lot of these doors were removed or sealed shut, but there are still a few out there that can still be used – though they’re sure to be unsanitary, even after all this time.
Secret Staircases and Hidden Rooms
If you have the chance to tour old mansions – or you happen to live in one – hidden doors may contain secret passages, cramped staircases, and even entire rooms. These served as servant's quarters, since for a while servants often lived in the same buildings as their masters, and these rooms and passages were built so that servants could move quickly, and stay out of sight when appropriate.
The twentieth century saw a reduction in servants, but some homes built in the era still have these features, which changed to spiral staircases and smaller rooms.
Button Light Switches Didn't Last Long
Between the advent and wide use of technology, and the adoption of the toggle switches we still see in nearly every home today, people used button switches to turn on the lights. And they came with a number of problems, too, which explains why the better option was so quick in coming. These buttons would often get stuck, and require extra work just to turn things off.
Once modern wiring and mechanical standards caught up, these buttons have become a little bit more in vogue – if this kind of look interests you, there are ways to get it.
Here's One You Probably Know
Dumbwaiters are small freight elevators – mostly designed to go vertically, though horizontal versions aren't unheard of – that transport items from one room to another. Starting in the eighteen hundreds, dumbwaiters were used to transport food from kitchens to living rooms or bedrooms.
These items are still in use in some places such as hospitals, retirement homes, or restaurants. Modern versions have been updated with electric monitors, automatic control systems, and faster motors to keep food hot and fresh before it gets to its hungry patrons. Most homes don't need them anymore, so even if you do find one, they probably won't be in use.
Dirty Boots? No Longer
Sanitary conditions in rural and urban areas used to be a lot worse, with mucky streets and gutters full of refuse. Some homes featured small ornaments right outside the front door: boot scrapers, able to remove mud and other unseemly substances from footwear before entering the home.
Boot scrapers came from the French, and were called “decrottoir”, and came in many different versions. Some had ornate spirals or designs with animals. They don't seem like such a bad idea, especially if you live in an area that has lots of mud or dirt. Even if you don't need them, they're sure to start a conversation.