50 Fascinating Items From The 20th Century That We Don’t See Every Day Anymore

Depending on how old you are, you might remember half of the20th century, or you may not have even been born until the early 2000s. But whether you want to reminisce on your childhood or learn about what the world was like back then, we’ve got a list down below that anyone can find entertaining!Bored Pandahas scoured the internet to find photos of objects from the1900sthat have survived for decades and are still around today. From vintage sewing machines to toys that your parents might have played with, we hope you enjoy scrolling through these blasts from thepast. Keep reading to also find conversations with Karen Bil Ratzlaff, creator ofHunting for Vintage, and Kara Lines, publisher ofThe Collector’s Companionmagazine. And be sure to upvote the items that you wish you could have in your home today!This post may includeaffiliate links.

Bored Pandahas scoured the internet to find photos of objects from the1900sthat have survived for decades and are still around today. From vintage sewing machines to toys that your parents might have played with, we hope you enjoy scrolling through these blasts from thepast. Keep reading to also find conversations with Karen Bil Ratzlaff, creator ofHunting for Vintage, and Kara Lines, publisher ofThe Collector’s Companionmagazine. And be sure to upvote the items that you wish you could have in your home today!

This post may includeaffiliate links.

I Just Spent Christmas With My 89 Year-Old Grandmother. While I Was There, I Found This Picture My Grandfather Painted Of Her In 1949

My grandfather got this off a friend in 1945 for 100$, the pepper shaker on top has been missing for 60 years but was found at an antique show completing the set. And it’s blue!

1935 Wedgewood With Everything Included

My Barbershop Still Uses Their Original Cash Register From 1904

To find out more about the wonderful world ofvintage items, we reached out to Karen Bil Ratzlaff, creator ofHunting for Vintage. Karen was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain how she first became interested in objects from the past.“Born into a lower middle class family, almost everything in our house was utilitarian and pedestrian. When I hit my teen years, I found myself drawn to older things because they seemed so exotic and intriguing,” she shared. “I managed to snaffle what I thought were the best pieces in our house to decorate my bedroom—a vintage tiger painting from Japan and a tapestry from India. From that point on, vintage and antique things held more appeal than newer things.”

“Born into a lower middle class family, almost everything in our house was utilitarian and pedestrian. When I hit my teen years, I found myself drawn to older things because they seemed so exotic and intriguing,” she shared. “I managed to snaffle what I thought were the best pieces in our house to decorate my bedroom—a vintage tiger painting from Japan and a tapestry from India. From that point on, vintage and antique things held more appeal than newer things.”

My dream stove. I wanted a vintage stove for the longest time, and when this one popped up in my favorite color (for $400, no less) I made the four hour drive and shoved it in the back of my Honda Element and drove it right back home. She’s a dream. Works perfectly. Takes three grown men to move her, but she’s worth it.

My 1959 Frigidaire Custom Imperial

Here is my Antique Westinghouse fan. Its had the cord replaced sometime in its life and I have polished the brass, other than that it’s unrestored. Still runs strong and is over 100 years old.

Antique Westinghouse Oscillating Fan

Our House Still Has All The Original Doorknobs From 1928

“My first purchase at an antique store (pre-eBay days) was both exciting and heartbreaking. Even with a 20% discount, I found out later I had paid way too much. I didn’t make that mistake again,” she noted.

The Original Phone Still Installed Inside My 1930’s Apartment

Apollo 11 Original Flight Plans, Given To Me By My Grandpa

This 1950’s Stove Has A Built In Soup Pot

“Still, whether I’m hunting online or in person, it’s an adrenaline rush when I find that next piece for a collection. (I’ve been known to do a happy dance),” the vintage lover shared. “And some things I buy with ‘rescue' in mind, like an old, worn silver-plate with great details but likely destined for a landfill.”And if you’re not sure what to collect, Karen recommends wandering around an antique mall or a flea market. “What’s catching your eye and making your heart skip a beat?”

And if you’re not sure what to collect, Karen recommends wandering around an antique mall or a flea market. “What’s catching your eye and making your heart skip a beat?”

This House Built In 1947 Has A Built In Seat For Their Telephone Nook

Rainbow Lights Installed Inside Railroad Underpass Built In The 1930’s

Grandpa Still Uses A Decades Old Computer That Still Runs Dos, Typing And Printing And Storing Things On Floppies

Karen also shared some tips for anyone who wants to start their own collection of vintage items. “Do your research. Learn about it before you spend any of your hard-earned shekels,” she told Bored Panda.“Know that prices can vary widely between online sellers, antique stores, flea markets, thrift stores, and estate sales, and that vintage things go in and out of fashion. One minute something is hot, hot, hot and then it’s not, not, not,” the expert continued. “Learn how condition affects the value. A missing dust jacket, a hairline crack or a hole makes a difference in the price.”

“Know that prices can vary widely between online sellers, antique stores, flea markets, thrift stores, and estate sales, and that vintage things go in and out of fashion. One minute something is hot, hot, hot and then it’s not, not, not,” the expert continued. “Learn how condition affects the value. A missing dust jacket, a hairline crack or a hole makes a difference in the price.”

1970s B/W Portable TV. $20 It Works!

A Child’s Car Seat From 1950’s

This Desk Lamp (Emeralite Banker’s Lamp) Is 100+ Years Old, And Is Solid As A Rock. So Cool Looking

Bought A Dresser Off Marketplace And Found Some Vintage Goodies & “The Gloves I Wore To My Wedding 7-22-1949”

Got A Green Phone From The 70’s At Goodwill $27 And It Works

Still Operational, Origional 1957 Wall Mount Refrigerator

We were also lucky enough to get in touch with Kara Lines, publisher ofThe Collector’s Companionmagazine, to hear her thoughts on this topic.“Shoppingfor vintage is a bit like gambling, often returning home empty handed,” Kara says. “But when it pays off? Pure joy. It’s a game of luck. It’s a great feeling to be scanning the shelves and spot something you simply must have, knowing that there’s only one, and you’re the lucky person who happened to get it.”

We were also lucky enough to get in touch with Kara Lines, publisher ofThe Collector’s Companionmagazine, to hear her thoughts on this topic.

“Shoppingfor vintage is a bit like gambling, often returning home empty handed,” Kara says. “But when it pays off? Pure joy. It’s a game of luck. It’s a great feeling to be scanning the shelves and spot something you simply must have, knowing that there’s only one, and you’re the lucky person who happened to get it.”

1950 Zenith TV

The 1928 Toaster We Still Use Today

My Coffee Maker Is So Old That It Was Made In West Germany

Kara pointed out that another great thing about buying vintage is resell value. “There’s no reason to feel buyer’s remorse. These things have already existed for decades, so the chances are, when you don’t want it anymore, there will be someone else who does,” she explained. “You often hear the phrase, ‘they don’t make things like they used to’, and it is so true. I’ve got clothes from Primark that have fallen apart in a matter of months, but dresses from the 1940s that are as good as new.”

My Wife’s Whirley-Pop That Her Grandmother Used. Still Makes Perfect Popcorn Every Time

My Mom Has An Unopened Alice Cooper Record From 1972, Complete With Panties

My Grandfather’s Gas On Gas Caloric Stove/Heater Purchased In 1958 That Has Been Used Everyday And Is Still In Pristine Condition

And if you’re looking for objects online, Kara warns readers to be careful which sources you trust. “One eBay seller can incorrectly label an item, and a dozen well-meaning bloggers will take it as gospel. The internet will always be a minefield of misinformation.”

My Late Grandma Still Had Her TV Operating Guide From 1962

Banned Childrens Science Toy Kit That Cost $51 From 1951

My Grandma Has Used The Same Waffle Iron Since 1955

Found This 1960’s Wilson Baby Carriage In Perfect Condition For $70

My Kitchen Has A Built In Ironing Board

An Antique Pocket Shopping List

My Grandma Still Uses Her Mixer From The 70’s

My Great Great Grandfather’s Pocketwatch That My Grandpa Recently Gifted To Me

This Circular Playing Card Deck From 1929

I Have Some Bambi Model Sketches From Film Production. Drawn In 1939

Refitting Our New Houses Loft(Attic) And Found £500 Of 1981 Currency Wrapped In Insulation!

My Grandmother’s Russian Playing Cards From 1967

Vendo 44 Vending Machine From The 50s. The Smallest Machine That Vendo Ever Made. Found At An Estate Sale!

Rolleicord 6x6 Film Camera From The 60’s Still Going Strong And Some Examples Of The Pictures It Makes

Client Were Working For Has This Functioning Washing Machine From The 60s, An Absolute Gem

I Found This Ring In The Dumpster On Monday! Had It Appraised Yesterday And Found Out It’s A Handmade Gold Ring From The 60s-70s! It’s 14k Gold Band Is Worth $200+ (Stone Is Glass). I Also Found Those Tiny Hands With It

Lunch Box From ‘89. Thermos From ‘97. New Old Stock. I’m So Excited