Small tricks of the old masters from the magazine "Science and Life" (1970), which are relevant today

Many people are familiar with the journal "Science and Life". Even now, many of the tips from a magazine from the USSR are very interesting and relevant. I especially enjoyed looking at and reading tips for a DIYer. The rubric was called "Little Tricks". It has nothing to do with science, but it was close to Soviet people.

At that time, there was a shortage of goods, so people made something new out of old things. I remember my father told me that there were rumors about a Japanese man who became rich precisely due to these advice from a Soviet magazine.

The heading advice to the master from the magazine partially included advice from professionals (plumbers, electricians, joiners, carpenters, etc.), as well as advice from simple but "skillful" people.

Even now, we still have this habit of not throwing anything away, but keeping everything on the balcony or shed, veranda. Maybe it will be needed at some point.

1. For example, a homemade product made from an old children's ball. It will make an excellent basket bag for collecting mushrooms. This trick was shared by M. Klavdiev from Moscow.

Making a basket is very simple. Holes are made in the ball on both sides, but a strip is left that will serve as the handle of the basket. The handle can be additionally strengthened, tied with electrical tape. The bag is easy to fold and carry in your pocket.

2. Already in the USSR, there was an electric air humidifier "Comfort". Like everything else, the humidifier was hard to come by. Yes, and it was difficult for a Soviet person to understand why this was necessary. Humidifier manufactured in 1975 in the city of Kiev. It cost about 25 rubles. The cord is very long (about 4 m).

The magazine offered an analogue, make a do-it-yourself humidifier from tubes. One end of the tube is sealed, and a strip of metal is attached to the other to hang it on the battery. This trick was sent to the editorial office of M. Salaridze from Tbilisi.

3. In Soviet times, everyone used this method to save water. You need to open the toilet bowl and put a brick or a jar of water.

Thus, less water will flow away. And now many people use this trick.

4. Painting with a brush can be a problem - the pile comes out. For the sake of economy, so as not to buy a new brush, use this tip. Tighten the band around the hair of the brush. Everyone thanked A. Koreeva from Kazan for this advice.

5. To clear the brush from varnish in the USSR, they used advice from L. Tatyanenko from g. Chernogolovka. Organic solvents were not available at that time. A suggested method is to dip the brush into water immediately after painting. Withstand a day. The polish on the brush will harden but will be easier to remove. It will become loose and brittle.

6. If there is no plug, replace it with a small piece of double PVC-insulated wire. Put it in the hole you made, and then screw the fasteners. Will hold on tight. Advice from R. Ibragimov (r. Tashkent).

In the USSR, this method was still practiced. A bunch of matches is inserted into the hole and then a screw is screwed.

7. Drilling holes in the wall. How to hold the drill perfectly horizontal? Science and Life describes this method. Attach a level to the body (top) of the drill.

Now everything will be clear and perfect!