8 Everyday Items From the Past That Still Work Perfectly

Jeans

in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented their riveted denim work pants. Competitors in the denim market, Wrangler and Lee, appeared in 1905 and 1911, respectively.

When cowboys wore them in Western movies, they quickly became a fashion statement. They morphed from being a symbol of cool in the 1950s to flower power and hippies to Americana as designer wear, big and baggy, low and sexy, skinny and comfy. Jeans remain as workwear for many outdoor — and indoor — workers.

Whatever look you want, we continue to have them as a staple of our wardrobe.

Wallets

The first paper currency was introduced in the New World by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1690. Wallets resembling those we now use soon followed. By the 1920s, Hermes started designing fashionable leather wallets. In many cultures, a wallet symbolizes wealth and prosperity, but a wallet doesn’t have to be expensive to become an integral part of your life.

It’s an accessory we are careful not to lose even if we only carry plastic and ID cards today. Most of us keep ours until it wears out and needs to be replaced.

Library Books

The Library Company was America’s first successful lending library and oldest cultural institution. It was founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin as a subscription library supported by its shareholders.

During America’s early years, books were not widely available, and people like Franklin donated some of their collections. The ability to borrow books is so crucial that operating public libraries is a function of most local governments.

Whether it is a matter of finances, shelf space or the availability of an out-of-print or hard-to-find book, the library book is something we can count on to open our minds to new worlds.

Ice Cream Cones

The first ice cream cone was produced by Italo Marchiony, an Italian immigrant who received a patent in December 1903. It resulted in a cone made by pouring batter into a mold.

A similar creation was independently introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair by Ernest Hamwi, a Syrian concessionaire. His creation eventually resulted in the rolled waffle cone.

For over 100 years, we’ve enjoyed these cones with our ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yogurt. Today, Joy Baking Group is the primary purveyor of ice cream cones in America today, baking more than 2 billion cones per year.

Wooden Matches

Even though we have lighters, torches, and matchbooks, there’s something ritualistic about lighting a fireplace and candles with a wooden match. It burns slower than a paper one without singing your finger. You usually only need to use one to get the flame glowing.

Friction matches were invented in 1826 by John Walker, a British chemist, who accidentally discovered that a stick coated with chemicals burst into flame when scraped across his hearth. Simultaneously, the first Lucifer matches, essentially the same as friction matches in that they ignite by being struck against most surfaces, were being manufactured in Mechanicstown, Maryland.

Little boxes of wooden matches are still available at the store and in certain dining establishments and are great to have around the house in case you want to fire up some heat or a little romance.

Share your experience: What household item have you used since childhood and still love? Tell us in the comments below.