Remember those cold winter days when you had to walk to school in the face of a wind that seemed to cut right through your wool coat? Perhaps you were the young person who, even with gloves on, spent the entire day ice skating on a frozen pond or building snow forts. For those of us who were born in the 50s, 60s, or 70s, enduring the bitter cold of winter was a common occurrence. Using a charcoal hand warmer was another unique way to stay warm.
Charcoal warmers were a necessity for the winter months before disposable heat packs and battery-operated warmers were introduced to the market. For those who were outdoors a lot, they were quite useful.
These hand warmers were designed to be comfortable, not only to keep your hands warm. You would place a bit of charcoal inside a metal container lined with felt, slide it inside your pocket, and allow the heat to disperse. Those bitterly cold winter days were somewhat more tolerable thanks to this tiny device.
Though its technology may look antiquated now, it was a very effective system. The felt lining kept you out of direct heat while letting warmth slowly seep through the metal container, which was intelligently made to store charcoal sticks that burned constantly. The charcoal would not burn out too quickly because of the airflow at the back, and it would last for hours.
Consider it a tiny, reusable, and effective furnace for your hands. Disposable goods weren’t very popular back then. These durable hand warmers were treasured items that were handed down through the generations.
Hand warmers were a need back then, not an extravagance. Winters appeared more severe, but that didn’t stop people from working or going outside when it got chilly. The bitter cold was a little easier to bear if you were lucky enough to have one of these heaters. The charcoal hand warmer in your pocket was a silent ally against the cold, whether you were hunting, fishing, or just doing errands.
Our parents and grandparents also found these warmers to be extremely helpful during their arduous, chilly workdays. These devices provide much-needed respite prior to the widespread or dependable use of contemporary heating systems.
It makes me grin to think of these little instruments. They stood for preparedness and the will to simplify things, even if it meant concentrating on little pleasures. They were passed down through the generations, lent to friends in need, and valued for their warmth at all times.
It brings back happy memories of a charcoal hand warmer providing consistent warmth when you most needed it. It’s evidence of human ingenuity and tenacity as well as the pleasures of basic comfort in the face of bitter cold.
What 14 Historical Figures Would Look Like If They Fit Modern Beauty Standards
Most of us have been introduced to historical figures through school textbooks and documentaries. But we sometimes wonder what these iconic historical personalities would look like if they lived in the 21st century. In other words, who would they resemble if they fit the beauty standards of our time?
The Bright Side team scoured the internet to solve this mystery. Let’s take a look at what some of our favorite personalities would have looked like had they been born in our time.
1. Albert Einstein
2. Elvis Presley
3. Paul Mounet
4. Albrecht Dürer
5. Shakespeare
6. Nikola Tesla
7. Mary Zouch
8. Princess Margaret
9. Jane Austen
10. Retrato de don Sebastián de Morra, by Diego Velázquez
11. Frida Kahlo
12. Nefertiti
13. Sigmund Freud
14. Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Lebrun
Which was your favorite modern historical figure? Have you ever found an ancient figure, painting, or celebrity that resembles you? Let us know in the comments.
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