Artifacts of the 20 th century Essential Questions to Consider: 1.) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Artifacts of the 20 th century Essential Questions to Consider: 1.) How does examining the evidence and artifacts of earlier times help us to reconstruct the past? 2.) What are the consequences of technology?

Can you guess the purpose of this early 20 th century artifact ?

How about now? Any more guesses?

Does this modern version of the old rack help? The other antique rack was likely used as this one is currently being used – as a pasta drying rack. (Sometimes hand towels were also hung on it to dry as well.)

Any idea of what these two men from the 1940s are doing with this artifact ?

Coal was delivered from the back of the truck down a chute that led to an open window in the basement of the home. A coal bucket would be at the base of the basement window to collect the coal which was used to heat the home.

Thank goodness this artifact is seldom if ever used anymore. Let ’ s just rule out a small broom. Any other guesses?

The switch (as well as other tree related objects) was an instrument of terror to all school age children up through the 1960s. It was used to “ encourage ” good behavior in many schools and in some homes.

Okay, so obviously these are some type of signs…but how and why were they used in the first half of the 20 th century?)

These signs were put in the entryways and on the doors of homes, buildings, and hospital areas where victims of smallpox or measles were located in order to prevent the spread of these horrible illnesses.

In the first half of the 20 th century, this artifact could often be found in the home of wealthy families. For what purpose do you think this expensive cabinet was used?

Believe it or not, men would spend quite a bit of money to keep their cigars in this fancy cabinet called a humidor.

Here’s another artifact that looked beautiful before its use but not after. What was it used for?

Before the Surgeon General’s warning about the dangers of cigarettes, ashtrays such as the these could be found in many homes. Even if the homeowners did not smoke, they would have one available for guests who did. So glad that this smelly artifact is no longer common in homes or public buildings.

So, obviously, this is an old desk, but what ’ s up with the hole in the desk? What was the purpose of this artifact ?

An ink jar would be placed in the desk and be taken home to be filled when empty. Students used a special nib pen to dip into the ink in order to write.

Now that you have taken a photo tour of artifacts from the 20 th century, try answering these questions: ¨ Essential Questions to Consider: ¨ 1.) How does examining the evidence and artifacts of earlier times help us to reconstruct the past? ¨ 2.) What are the consequences of technology?