25 Things You Wouldn’t Believe Your Eyes That Were Actually Scandalous A Hundred Years Ago (4 of 5)

Coffee

You might actually think that coffee is God’s true creation, as it not only satisfies your tongue, but also keeps you energetic. However, this wasn’t the case in the 18th century, when Catholics actually called it ‘Satan’s creation’ and a ‘Devil’s drink’! We all know how far away from the truth they were. Today, not a single day goes by when people don’t have a cup of coffee.

Bicycles

Unlike today, women were suggested to follow a list of bullet points mentioned in an 1896 article! Yes, you read that right. The women were suggested not to coast, as it was too dangerous. The list goes on to add that they should have avoided wearing any jewelry or tight garters, and should refrain from refusing help of a chivalrous man who feels pity for the woman and wants to help push the bicycle up a hill. The most surprising one was the request not to make a ‘bicycle face’, which referred to the worried, haggard expression.

Taking showers daily

If we told you that taking a bath was a special event a century ago, you would probably laugh it off as a joke – but it’s true! A hundred years ago, it was considered a special occasion, something one would do on a weekend, preferably. In fact, regular bathing didn’t become a norm until the late 20th century, because of the aggressive sales and advertisements of grooming products. One such advertisement was titled ‘There is self-respect in using SOAP and WATER’!

Living up to 100 years

In the year 1900, the American life expectancy was only 48.8 years! Obviously today things have changed, and the life expectancy has risen to 79, but in those years, the chance of reaching 100 was laughable – a phenomenon not unbelievable anymore. In fact, according to the government agencies, the people who have crossed the age of 100 has risen by a surprising forty three percent over the last two decades alone! So, being a supercentenarian isn’t impossible anymore, and certainly won’t make people consider you a biblical character unlike in those old days.

Public transportation

The holding straps in subways that we hold on to so dearly, were actually not a thing in the year 1912! According to one editorial published in the Chicago Sunday Tribune, they could very well cause injury to your internal organs! Thankfully, people are not paranoid about holding the straps anymore.