Trends change over time, and some of the things that people did a few hundred years ago seem pretty unusual by modern standards. From fern collecting to fawning over men's calves, culture has certainly shifted throughout the decades. TikTok and cringy memes don't seem so bad when compared to these wacky fads...
Uranium Glass
Before people knew that uranium was extremely poisonous, it was used in dinnerware for the rich and powerful. The public couldn't get enough of this glow-in-the-dark element and to have some in your dining room cabinet was a huge way to highlight ones wealth. Little did they know they were drinking themselves to death quicker than they thought.
Fern Collecting
Ferns might be pretty standard these days, but during the mid-1800s, Victorian women in London loved collecting ferns. This phenomenon was known as "pteridomania," or better titled as "fern fever." Teens and young adult women loved collecting them so much, that the fern began to be used as a symbol of beauty, youth, and inhibition. Nothing says forever young like a fern, apparently.
Train Surfing
Before we had cell phones, people would do literally anything to pass the time, including ride trains for sport. Though this practice has been around since the early 1900s, most people agree that there are better ways to waste a day. However, there are still people who attempt this dangerous act even to this day...
Train Crashing
If you thought train surfing was reckless, just get ready for train crashing. This trend caught on in a big way during the 19th century. Crowds would gather together in the hundreds to watch trains collide and explode. The saying "it's like watching a train wreck" was more of a weekend plan than an idiom...
Banana Smoking
Back in the 1960s, people were willing to smoke pretty much anything. There was even a rumor that circulated claiming that the peels of bananas contained something called "bananadine." Theoretically, those who smoked it would get super high on the drug. No surprise here, but bananadine is not a real thing. People were lighting up bananas for no reason.
Death Figurines
Before people could fill their days with true crime podcasts and murder mystery shows, Victorian Londoners collected figurines that depicted a brutal killing. These ceramic tchotchkes had some of the famous deaths of the era brightly painted and displayed on the shelf. Some decoration ideas are better left in the past...
Hobbleskirts
The name is pretty self-explanatory in this historic trend. The fad centered around a women's skirt that was tapered at the mid-calf or ankle, making it difficult to walk. The result was a short, unbalanced walk called "hobbling." The skirt decreased in popularity by World War I when mobility was necessary for survival.
Sea Monkeys
For kids in the late sixties and early seventies, the promise of sea monkeys was enough to make every Christmas list. Thousands of suburban suckers handed over their allowance money for the chance to raise a monkey from the sea. The big scam was that those sea monkeys were actually just brine shrimp and not magical ocean primates.
Phrenology
During the 1800s, phrenology was the talk of the medical field. This now-defunct pseudoscience sought to prove that the personality traits of a person were determined by specific parts of the brain. It asserted that doctors or scientists could determine someone's strengths, weaknesses, vices, and more all based on how big different parts of your brain were.
Pedestrianism
Before there was Olympic speed-walking, there was...pedestrianism. Popularized in 19th-century Britain, pedestrian speed walking quickly became one of the most beloved sports in the nation. There were bets placed on the racers and crowds gathering to watch walkers. Times have truly changed...
Mourning Brooch
When life gives you lemons, put on a brooch. This way to remember a lost loved one actually holds a piece of them, really. These pieces of jewelry were worn after losing one's friend or family. The garment also typically contained a braided lock of the deceased's hair. It's kind of gross looking back on this trend...
Morgue Viewings
Have you ever wanted to take the family over to the morgue to get a good look at the deceased? No? Well, people in 1864 certainly love the activity. Behind the Notre Dame Cathedral was a public morgue where unidentified bodies could, hopefully, be found by family members. The odd institution soon attracted tourists hoping to get a glimpse at dead bodies...
Hunkering
Adults of today will remember when planking was all the rage, but once upon a time, that same trend existed with what kids were calling "hunkering." Throughout the 1950s, college students would squat atop tables, chairs, desks, and pretty much every wacky place they could. Instead of getting a funny picture, it would surprise friends with their unusual stance.
Graces
Women used to be prized more for their womanhood than anything else. One way to celebrate and practice gracefulness, a ladylike quality in France, was playing a game called Graces. While playing this game, a dainty hoop was tossed between wooden rods, and women dove to catch them. You know, ladylike.
Goldfish Swallowing
Some people's taste for seafood is more intense than others. Beginning in the 1930s, swallowing a goldfish became a common occurrence at college parties and truth-or-dare games. No hazing was complete without it! It got so bad that the practice was banned, which only made it more popular with young people.
Flagpole Sitting
Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly sat on flagpoles for several uninterrupted days at a time, making the otherwise unknown sport of flagpole sitting a national phenomenon during the '20s and '30s. Kids across America and the UK sat on top of the neighborhood flagpole to prove their physical prowess. They even held competitions to see who would last the longest and maybe beat Alvin's record. Perhaps this is where Harvey Danger got the idea for his song "Flagpole Sitta"...
Dance Marathon
Colleges today use dance marathons to raise money for charity, but back in the day, they were way more common. During the '20s and '30s, teens and young adults would dance for days on end in an effort to win a prize. Unlike today's marathons, these ones had specific dances and moves built into the long event.
Cemetary Parties
If you have lost a loved one, you probably miss being with them at events and gatherings. Well, in Victorian-era London, this problem was easily solvable. People would pack picnics and treats to eat beside the gravesite of the deceased. It was meant as a way to remember the dead, but it looks fairly creepy to modern standards.
Bed Pushers
This trend came to be during the mid-20th century. People would push and pull beds filled with teens for several miles. This was usually done as a race, contest, or charity event. The distance ranged anywhere from a few miles to a few hundred miles. The best part was you could take a nap as soon as you were finished!
Atomic Parties
The people do love to party, no matter how depressing the occasion. Back in the 1950s, Las Vegas and other Nevada cities became the hot spot for "bomb viewing parties." It became a big affair, including a black-tie dress code and even mushroom cloud cakes. Then, the group would gather to watch the explosion.
Whiplash Exercise
People from every era were after envy-inducing ab muscles. One way to achieve this look was with this popular core belt. The 1930s gave birth to several dangerous ways to drop pounds or gain muscles. This machine in particular was pulled from shelves after users suffered whiplash from a workout.
Wood Bathing Suits
If this wood floats, then hopefully so will you! In 1929, the wooden bathing suit was invented as a floatation assistance device. However helpful, it must have been awfully restrictive. It's no wonder that these splintering suits didn't make their way to the modern-day.
24-Hour Spas
Do you know how most pharmacies and convenience stores stay open all hours of the night? Well, spas used to do the same thing. If you wanted to spruce up your look at 11:30 PM or wind down at 4 AM, that was an option available. Actress Lola Fisher loved going to spas at any opportunity.
All Terrain
Your all-terrain vehicle is actually a piece of history. The ATV was invented first in 1936 in England. it was able to climb and descend at a 65-degree angle. The vehicle boasted about 10-12 tires that made movement on hills very easy and accessible, but also incredibly expensive to manufacture.
Milk Facial
Does anyone really know what is good for the skin? Back in the day, women would rub milk on their face to gain a baby-like skin texture. The wildest part is that this trend is still done at some select spas across the nation. Who wants some cookies with their facial cleanser?
Radio Lawnmower
The lawn won't mow itself...or will it? During the 1950s, the small radio operated lawnmower was invented. Controlled with a remote, this alternative approach to landscaping was later celebrated by British royalty. Though it's still pretty uncommon to use, the radio lawnmower can still be purchased today! It's like the original Roomba... but for your grass.
Sun Therapy
Getting out in the sun is important, but it's not a catch-all treatment. However, the concept of sunlight therapy was used in illnesses from depression to tuberculosis. Football and soccer players were especially big proponents of the treatment, but it was given to almost every patient a few decades ago.
Shower Hood
The shower hood was something no one needed but was created anyway. Marketed toward women, this hood promised to keep makeup and hair intact while getting your body clean! It was a huge failure long term though because as it turns out, women also like washing their hair and face.
Roadside Beauty
In the same way that a person can hail a taxi, once upon a time, beauticians were just as readily available. Flag one down for a quick trim, a makeover, or a speedy facial. In the end, just pay the artist and continue the day! Though it violated a lot of modern health codes, this would be a cool career to bring back into fashion.
PET Scans
Forget everything you know about PET scans because while this medical device is still very much in use, it no longer looks as terrifying as it once did. Developed at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, New York, this standardized device came wrapped in metal and wires that would make anyone uneasy. Scientists today keep these wires well concealed.
Fax Newspaper
These days, people have Twitter and Facebook to get their news. Long ago, you had to buy the news from someone on the street. In between these two circuits though was the fax machine newspaper. It was marketed as convenient, but a trip to the store usually ended up being quicker and cheaper than waiting for a fax to come through.
Pedestrian Shield
When people were driving around cars even more recklessly than modern standards, there were tons of pedestrian deaths. So, to combat these fatalities, inventors crafted something that looked like a shield to ward off such destruction. It, unsurprisingly, did not work at all, but slowing down and being cautious always works.
Pedal Skates
These aren't your ordinary roller skates. Charles A. Nordling of Suisun, California patented these pedal skates in August 1913. The walking alternative looked more like a bike for your feet than it did shoes with wheels. The skates required more force, which made skaters less inclined to drag their feet.
The Goofybike
The silliest things can oftentimes be the most fun. This bike had everything: exercise, a nice view, and even a sewing machine. Yes, the bike alteration was crafted in 1939 and included the addition of a sewing machine to keep balance. Using a sewing machine on a bike is like riding a bike, you never forget!
The Cyclomer
A lot of time back in the old days was spent trying to make transportation as easy (or weird) as possible. Enter: the cyclomer. Using six uniquely sized round floatation devices, the vehicle sometimes referred to as "The Amphibious Bike" could ride on land or sea. The only issue was that it was uncomfortable on land and barely worked in the ocean.
Bed Piano
For those musical types out there, have you ever wanted to rise and shine to a piano right above your bed? Well, some people certainly did, and thus, the bed piano was born. Instead of settling down for the night with a Netflix watch in bed, these musicians liked to play themselves a lullaby.
Man from Mars Hat
Headphones are a fairly commonplace look these days, but in 1949, Victor T. Hoeflinch created this strange accessory. The hat allowed citizens to listen to the radio while walking around. Handheld devices would come a few decades later, but for a while, this ugly hat was how people enjoyed their music on the go.
Cone Masks
Yet another invention meant to protect women's makeup from the elements, the cone mask was marketed as a way to protect a face from rain or hail. This never caught on due to a few very important alternatives: not going outside when it's raining, tilting your head downward, or the most popular choice, an umbrella.
The Baby Dangler
How this one ever left the brainstorming session, the world may never know. However, this obviously dangerous and ridiculous garment was a way for parents to hold their young child between them using rope tension. Who needs a stroller when you can just swing your baby between you and your spouse?
Portable Sauna
Not everyone can afford an in-house sweat studio, and so the portable sauna was born! Developed in 1962 by a Finnish inventor with a penchant for the sweaty relaxation method, the portable sauna was his solution to this problem he assumed everyone faced. These still sell today, but you could also just do anything else.
Ice Mask
Using cold water on your face might have some nice benefits, but that's not why the ice mask was created. The importance of hydration was well known throughout all of history, and this strange facial covering was just another way to keep dehydration at bay. Well, that... and fighting off hangovers.
Dimple Maker
Nothing is cuter than a dimpled smile, but not everyone is born with them. To combat this issue, women in the '30s used something called a Dimple Maker on their cheeks. Supposedly, the clamp could create the illusion of dimples onto their smiles. Needless to say, it did not work well enough to find footing today.
TV Glasses
Long before there was Google glasses, there was a man with an idea. Hugo Gernsback, sometimes referred to as "The Father of Science Fiction," had an idea in 1963. He wanted to put TV in front of his face at all times, so he made the TV glasses. These eventually paved the way for 3D glasses in theaters.
Sunscreen Vending Machine
Sunscreen is an important part of skincare. That's why every outdoor activity in the 1940s sold sunscreen out of vending machines. Whether on the court, at the swimming pool, or lounging by the beaches, little globs of sunscreen were only a few nickles away. This is one invention that fell out of favor but maybe should have been kept around.
Cigarette Holder
Smoking one cigarette is bad. Smoking several at a time is way worse. Before society knew how damaging smoking really was though, it wasn't unusual to see someone smoking this 1955 creation that permitted smokers to get through a whole pack very efficiently. Chain-smoking looked a lot more bizarre back in the day.
Eyelash Stenciling
You've probably heard of eyebrow stencils, but eyelashes are a little more particular. By the time you got your individual lashes through the thin screen, someone was already likely late! The act of painting on darker eyelashes has been around for a very long time, and the mascara wand was a true game-changer for makeup lovers.
Electronic Eyebrow Arch
Eyebrow trends are constantly in flux. One day a big brow is all the rage, the next a skinny line to define the features. Back in the 1930s, the ideal look was a high arch. To achieve such quality, women underwent electric treatments to zap out the hair cuticles and create a perfect brow that would never grow out.
Buffering
You buffer your car, so why not use that same kind of machinery directly on your delicate skin? This method of facial relaxation was meant to scrub out any imperfection on your skin, any bump on your face, and any sunken parts of your structure. This beauty routine sounds very unappealing...
Vibrosun
For some reason, for at least a decade, people believed that working out could be swapped with just vibrating. Although it might look kind of dangerous, the Vibrosaun was totally harmless. The machine supposedly simulated exercise by emitting heat and vibrations. Your muscles got moving, but not in the best way...
Micrometer
In the 1930s, a man named Max Factor became a cosmetics industry mastermind. The makeup titan found one of his claims to fame in the invention of the beauty micrometer. The device was strapped to a woman's head and was meant to pinpoint exactly where she needed the most makeup. Yeesh...
Vibrating Belts
If we could all just vibrate our problems away, that would be a pretty nice life. unfortunately, the weight loss vibrating belts didn't really do much aside from generating some pretty laughable gifs. These women thought they were toning up, but really they were just making people giggle.
Balding Hairlines
During the Renaissance Era, women liked to have a prominent forehead. The higher the hairline, the more desirable a woman became. To help heighten their beauty, some women opted to heighten their hairline as well. They shaved the top of their hairlines back until they achieved that gorgeous five-head look.
Dyed Eyebrows
Dyed eyebrows have made a resurgence in 2020, but this trend hasn't been popular since the craze swept ancient China! Women during the time cloaked their eyebrows in a variety of blue and green colors to show a little spunk in their appearance. They generally used grease to get such an effect.
Native Plucking
We all know what a bikini wax is, but Native Americans were going bare way before colonizers caught on. In Native culture, it was commonplace to individually pluck hairs down there. It was painful, time-consuming, and constantly repeating. Waxing might be painful, but it's certainly quicker!
Arsenic Skincare
There's a reason people today aren't splashing arsenic on their faces. The deadly poison used to be ingested to hopefully achieve a whiter and brighter skin tone. It was even addictive! Once they managed to get off the arsenic, their skin would have a terrible reaction. Not worth the pain.
Men's Calves
Back in the Middle Ages, women and men alike were obsessed with the appearance of calves on guys. Anything to draw attention to the lower half of the leg was a part of the fashion. Whether they wore stocking, heels, or fancy buckles, if it made you look down, the style was justified.
Eyelash Plucking
These days, people wear fake eyelashes in addition to the ones they already have, but Renaissance ladies thought of lashes as a burden. They often opted to remove their eyelashes completely. It became the look to have extremely open and unobstructed eyes. All the better to see you with...
Foot Binding
Women in China used to dread binding their feet to achieve a tiny, crescent moon shape on their arch. The smaller the foot, the better. This trend actually began with the popularity of a dancer named Yao Niang, who bound her feet before a big show. The image was enough to cause a fashion revolution...
Rosy Cheeks
Before there was blush, there was pure pain. Women in Victorian-era England used to pinch, slap, and bite cheeks to get that perfect pink glow. Makeup was an option but was sometimes associated with being risquè and unbecoming. The alternative was a little more unsettling...
Painted Tights
During the time of World War II, nylon stockings were becoming harder to find because the fabric was used for the war effort. To stick to fashion these women were comfortable with, the masses opted to paint on their stockings using tan paint and a black line up the back of their legs. Hey, whatever works!
Black Teeth
This is a trend that almost assuredly won't come back. The "Ohaguro" trend was perfect for those who like a spooky look. Participants would dye their teeth black using a concoction of iron, cinnamon, and a variety of spices. The strange appearance might be worth it in the long run, as it supposedly protects teeth!
S-Corsets
The S-Corset was meant to be an alternative to traditional corsets of the day, which were painful and organ squishing. The S-corset bent in such a way that women's hips could be pushed backward. Would you be surprised to learn that this topple-over silhouette was also pretty uncomfortable?
Traditional Corsets
The standard corset involved a woman being sewn up into a dress so tightly that her organs moved around and her waist shrunk in size. It was obviously very painful and damaging, but achieving the hourglass figure was the priority for women back then. These days though, there is no way you could get away with these fashionable torture devices.
Long Fingernails
Having long acrylic nails is one thing, but growing nails out to be seven or eight inches long might be a bit much. In Qing Dynasty China, long fingernails were highly coveted. A lady with long nails signified wealth, status, and class. With nails too long to work, feed herself, or even lift an object, she must be rich!
Drinking Pee
During ancient Roman times, drinking pee wasn't too uncommon. In fact, it was likely the only way to maintain a white smile. Romans preferred urine that came from the Portuguese, due to the belief that the urine promoted stronger teeth in addition to cleanliness. No matter who it comes from though, it was totally gross.