Household oddities from around the world

In the age of typical buildings, it is interesting to look back at the history of architecture.Sometimes, at first glance, strange things are encountered: a crooked or blocked window, an iron cabinet on a battery, or a small door through which even a cat will not go through. A closer look reveals how much our ancestors were inventive and practical. Introducing 17 everyday oddities from around the world that no one knew!

European grandfather microwave

At the beginning of the 20th century, heating radiators were used to the maximum: they heated the room, dried shoes and even warmed up food. To do this, special metal cabinets with swing doors were hung on the batteries.

"Winter refrigerator" hails from the USSR

Soviet architects came up with a niche in the thick walls of houses for seasonal storage of strategic stocks of stews, preserves and stewed fruit. This original device has been preserved to this day, allowing you to save space in an ordinary refrigerator.

Garbage chute, USSR

The first house with a garbage chute inside was built in 1938 in Vladivostok.

For convenience, the receivers were made directly in the apartment, then brought to the porch. Initially, this is a good idea, as it saves the time of residents, but as a result, the garbage chutes have turned into nurseries of rats and a disgusting smell, that's why they are more and more often brewed.

Closed windows, England

An example of the fight against increased taxes. The story began in the 17th century, when a window tax was introduced in England. Glass was very expensive and was considered a luxury, so many frugal aristocrats began to brick the window openings.

The tax applied even to the poor, who eventually lived in the dark.

Small doors in Florence

In the XVI century, Italians cut through tiny holes that led to the wine cellar. In such a simple way, they sold homemade wine.

Phoenix Bird, Stockholm

Features of dense buildings during fires led to the mass burnup of entire neighborhoods. The phoenix medallion denoted the rich houses that were extinguished first. In fact, this is the insurance policy of the time.

Unusual keyhole, Cochem

Now many people do not understand why there are wavy edges around the well. Everything is simple and ingenious: the grooves will not allow to miss, the key will always fall into the hole, even despite a significant degree of intoxication. Such castles were placed in wine cellars.

Wine in the Middle Ages was consumed in significant quantities! It was used as a medicine and as an antiseptic for water.

Amazing sewer manhole design, Wiesbaden

It resembles space technology, and it just closes the entrance to the channel. It used to be a sewer, which has now become a popular excursion destination.

Doors to the saloon

They are familiar to all people by westerns. Why were they made openable and small?

Good ventilation.
Residents did not see what was happening there, and regular customers could turn on their lights from afar to determine if their favorite establishment was working.
This is a kind of sign by which the saloon was recognized.

Window sills missing, Montenegro and Bulgaria

These are countries with a warm climate, so the walls in the houses are so thin that for the usual window sill there is no place in the opening!

In the language of Montenegro there is not even a word that means it.

Window between the bathroom and the kitchen, USSR

Everything is simple here! Such a window is a source of light, and also visually expands the space of a small bathroom.

After redevelopment, unfortunately, many owners have laid such windows.

Yards-wells, St. Petersburg

According to legend, the legendary courtyards were built in such a way at the behest of Peter I. There is also a practical side to the matter! It is difficult to drain the soil in the swamp, which is why well-yards appeared, saving construction time and using every suitable patch of land.

English lace switch

He is familiar to us from numerous films. It can still be found in the bathrooms. The lace is designed to prevent a shock.

Milk Doors, America and England

Small doors can still be found; they have remained from the time when milk was delivered by milkmen. They put bottles in a niche, and the owners took the drink directly to the house, opening the second door.

Networks around the Shenzhen Apple factory

It all started with a sad story. China produces a significant share of Apple products. A large company compensates for industrial injuries, and as a result, a whole wave of suicides swept through the plant. People hoped that their relatives would get rich. As a result, durable nets were invented and tightened.

Attic window in the attic, Vermont (USA)

It is believed that witches cannot fly into slanted windows.

But there is a more real version: to provide ventilation and light in the attic. In the attics it is very difficult to install a standard window, so I had to invent an unusual version with a tilt.