Genius inventions we no longer use

[Grumpypants78]

Inspired by a chat with a friend after struggling back from the corner shop yet again with the mountains of stuff my family can't survive without. My gran in the 70s used to have a little shopping trolley on wheels she'd take with her. You never see them anymore but what a brilliant idea. They sell them in Amazon, I'm going to buy one and be like my gran only without the curlers and housecoat 🤣
What else do you remember your DPs/DGPs use I can be inspired to invest in?

Why can't you just use the self scanner and put everything in your own trolley instead of the supermarket one? People do this all the time with their own bags.

I don't even use the self scanner, but instead of using a basket or trolly if I'm doing a small shop I will just put the things I'm buying in my reusable shopping bag while I'm walking around the store, unload them when I'm at the till (I usually do self check out) and then put them back in.

You don't need to struggle with 2 trollies!

Also regarding the feather dusters, I picked up a nice extendable ostrich feather one from TK Maxx a few years ago.

When my husband was a Birmingham uni they were working on hydrogen cars and had a hydrogen fuel station think this has closed now?

My grandma used to have a rain bonnet and she was part of the generation that used to get their hair set at the hairdressers once a week. I guess the rain bonnet was to protect her hairdo!

My grandma still has one. We call it a Sholley in our family!

You still see ppl with trolleys.

Get you to Warwick castle! Once a day and twice on Sundays, or something.

Spin dryers. Mine lasted for 8 years then broke so I bought a new one from white knight that leaked water everywhere so they replaced it with one that leaked water and shorted the house electrics too. I sent it back.

I loved that spin dryer too!.

Salad spinner - only way to get lettuce dry. Fond memories of using that in my childhood

I'm no expert, but they should be a bit longer at the back to stop the water running down the back of your neck. A bit like a plastic headscarf.

Clothes pulleys.

I know you can still get these, but in my grandparent's days every council flat round about them had one. They were massive and held loads of washing. Just so practical, especially in the high ceiling tenements where they lived, keeping the washing up and out of the way on those dreich rainy days that you couldn't hang it up outside, much better than clothes horses/airers that take up so much floorspace.

As a child I used to love getting to pull (hoist?) the pulley up and down. 😄

@MatildaJayne
I came on the thread to say that!

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles
Warwick is your place...

I’ve never seen a self-scanner in a supermarket or anywhere. Perhaps they only do them in some places. I can stand my trolley on a little platform at the front of the main trolley. Sometimes there’s a hook at the end too.

We've got one and use it every day. It's much warmer at the ceiling and the clothes dry much more quickly. I don't really know why they aren't more popular.

Teasmade are still about

shoploverz.com/product/swan-stm200n-teasmade-rapid-water-boiler-with-clock-and-alarm-featuring-a-reading-light-and-lcd-analogue-clock-light-with-auto-dimmer-and-a-600ml-water-tank-780-850w-white/

Swan Vintage Teasmade STM201 Tea Maker - White

Adding to the shopping trolley love, I have one that folds up into a thin bag. I can take it in my work bag with me and then stop off at the supermarket on the way home. A few seconds to unzip and pop up the wheels and I’m good to go! I don’t know what I’d do without it and have had the same one for years. I can fit about £60 worth of food in it but can only carry about £20 worth.

Give it a few months and you'll be able to carry £60-worth no problem.

Oh dear @Grumpypants78 this thread hasn't quite gone how you wanted it to has it?! Because the 'old shopping trolley that you pull along' is still in existence! And that's all people will focus on now!

What about old typewriters? I don't really see THEM anymore!

Mangles!

Shillings and two shilling pieces used to be made of real silver!!! (Not now obvs.)

Waspies... corsets that pulled a woman's waist in and made it tiny! (Though some women DID used to pass out from them!)

Dial-up internet!

They sell the trollies in lots of places tbh- I often say they need to lose their old lady image as they’re perfect for shopping without using a car 😊😊

Why can't you just use the self scanner and put everything in your own trolley instead of the supermarket one? People do this all the time with their own bags.
I don't even use the self scanner, but instead of using a basket or trolly if I'm doing a small shop I will just put the things I'm buying in my reusable shopping bag while I'm walking around the store, unload them when I'm at the till (I usually do self check out) and then put them back in.
You don't need to struggle with 2 trollies!

Aldi doesn't have self scanner system at least not here yet- and none of the supermarkets like people putting items in own bags here - I've seen people told to stop.

Previous Aldi we live near would let you leave them at packing shelf - this one smaller won't.

There are two bigger supermarkets slightly further and much further away - but tend to go for specific things so unless it's emergency cat litter wouldn't need trolley. Have used self scan tills at both - you still need to use shop basket and trolleys - staff hover and I've seen them tell people this.

I can manage a basket and shopping trolley - but then wouldn't need the trolley as it would go in backpack anyway.

It's end of month ( we get bulk of month shopping on-line) when there's more a supermarket trolley is useful. I currently find a shopping trolley as well a pain in the arse and backpack and bags easier when it's just me.

I've tried with the shopping trolley even putting under shop trolley it sticks out and is a pain to work around. A folding shopping trolley may be much better - at minute with trolley I've got it's an additional pain in the arse when it's just me.

Have you tried the Aldi own brand sparkling catapult? Surprisingly good for the money. Doubt it would last a sustained campaign in France, but it's good enough for letting the neighbours know exactly what you think of them.

Also great if you've had to do an emergency bra hand-wash late at night!

(I've never used mine for lettuce.)

You can still buy it!

(I have those front door tiles, alas)

You never see them anymore but what a brilliant idea.

😂

Sorry but that’s so funny. They’re everywhere.

My gran in the 70s used to have a little shopping trolley on wheels she'd take with her. You never see them anymore but what a brilliant idea.

You do! They are specially popular with elderly people that don't drive.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps; I had an old typewriter that belonged to my Dad, but it was impossible to get ribbons for it.
BTW "Sholley" is a brand name-they're a metal cage with 4 wheels, and the bag inside. Some models have seats too. www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiXu87LsPP5AhUUnVwKHUsSBF0QFnoECB4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fsholley-trolley%2Fs%3Fk%3Dsholley%2Btrolley&usg=AOvVaw25soDJNE4G9JsYu6BoxQFV

What about the housecoat? Put it on over your clothes when doing cooking, cleaning, to prolong the time your clothes go between washes.
Basically the nanas know what they're doing!