On Inventions and Change

 

After consideration of our present conditions and surroundings it must seem incredible that so many inventions, improvements and developments could have been perfected within the space of an ordinary lifetime.  Commencing with some details of bygone domestic affairs. And the use of the old time flint and steel for striking a light – Although I never saw this apparatus in use I have heard of moving incidents, nocturnal emergencies in which a light was urgently required.  My informant spoke scathingly of the uncertainty of this operation, how sorely the fingers might be pounded during a frantic attempt in midnight darkness and ho, often the tinder might be damp.  Then came the old style ‘Lucifer’ matches, tipped with sulphur and phosphorus, dangerous things, igniting at an accidental touch and often causing dangerous fires.  They threw off flaming particles when first lighted while their sulphurous fumes stung the nostrils and throats of the unwary in a manner painful and suffocating.  The introduction of safety matches was hailed as a long step forward.

The common illuminates were tallow candles which could be bought in various sizes, the favourite being 8 to the pound.  These gave a flapping flickering light ruinous to eyesight and they needed frequent ‘snuffing’ as a blob of charred wick (called a coffin) would continually form so that snuffers were necessities in every house.

 For economy there were rushlights in which the wick was the pith of a rush instead of cotton.  These would burn for a whole night through but the lgith they gave was only sufficient to render ‘darkness visible’.  Next, composite candles of a wax mixture were produced and hailed as a great luxury.  Oil lamps were rarely seen being regarded with suspicion on account of accidents through being upset.  When gas lighting was introduced the first form of burner was imperfect and wasteful, consuming much gas for very little illumination, also they gave off an impalpable soot which blackened walls and ceiling.  Matters were improved by the incandescent burner win which a mantle was used, after which came the electric light which seems to be a final solution of such problems, as far as we know at the present time.

How many, even of those who remember, ever recall the appalling conditions of our highways which existed in the early nineteen hundreds?  By the time when autumn came round the roads were seamed with deep ruts and must be repaired.  This was effected by dumping coarse gravel on the surfaces to a depth of three or four inches.  The attempt was made to roll this coating level.  The unfortunate horses of that time dragged themselves and heavily loaded farm wagons over that yielding, crumbling surface until the flints were ground to powder.  In winter time this process was hastened by rainfall, resulting in a covering of miry, soupy mud, a case of ‘from bad to worse’.

Outside the town this deposit remained untouched but in the streets it was scraped to the sides of the road where it would lie until carted away, until which time it remained, a Slough of despond to envelope the feet and ankles of night-time pedestrians.

But the roads in dry weather presented discomfort of another kind.  Every gust of the spring winds raised blinding clouds of dust, stinging the face like hail and lodging the particles in the eyes and mouths of harassed wayfarers.

When motor cars first appeared with their greater speed and air disturbance the dust nuisance grew far more acute.  So much so that the natural green of our hedgerows bordering the highways was completely changed to a melancholy dun colour, smothering that charming feature till the end of the season.  This deposit also made it’s way into fields adjoining the roads, sending the grass and spoiling the hay crop.

Houses adjoining the roadside suffered by the layers of grit which settled in every room and penetrated to food so that windows and doors must be closely shut unless rain came to damp the ground.  Fortunately after many futile experiments a satisfactory treatment for road surfaces was evolved and no, apparently the foregoing inconveniences have been completely forgotten by the multitudes which formerly deplored them.

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