Read on Twitter
OK, it’s been another busy week, so as a break, herewith a thread showing highlights from one of the best books I own, The Dairy Book of Home Management (1969). These books were published by the Milk Marketing Board. It’s a fascinating mix of super-outdated and progressive views
It’s basically the internet in a book. Anything you’d now look up YouTube tutorials for, is in this book. There’s a complete guide to household tools, what they’re for, and how to use them. And useful stuff like rewiring.
Despite the use of the term ‘housewife’ throughout, and various assumptions of gender roles, it’s written unpatronisingly, and has tonnes of handy how-to’s, with clear copy and good diagrams. Excellent content design!
It’s a trope in old movies that you can use a pair of tights to fix a car’s fan belt, but this book actually shows you how to do it.
It’s the seeming randomness of the book when flicking through that I like. You can go from car maintenance, to the correct diameter of perch for a budgie (and how to correctly hold a budgie).
There’s lots of interesting guidance on design, such as matching colours for flower arrangements, and how to plan interior design patterns.
And should someone experience a calamity in your beautifully decorated home, there’s plenty of guidance on how to administer splints with available material.
The section on sex education is simple and unfussy, presumably reflecting the progressive attitudes of the time. I did chuckle at ‘little winkle’ though.
…but then there’s plenty of stuff that is less progressive, such as how to do your hair to take attention away from your prominent nose.
Still, if you’re fed up with your appearance, you could always drown your sorrows in home-made wine. (Actually, I might give this a go during lockdown).
There’s lots of advice for holding an Abigail’s Party style function, but I particularly like this list of other methods of hanging out with friends. Hmm, what should I do on Wednesday? Mid afternoon ‘cuppa’, or hen party?
Mainly posting this one because of the ace apron.
Despite the messages, I do like the illustration style for these different hairstyles, for face shapes. WRONG!!!
…there’s some very clearly-written content on household budgeting, etc which I expect would be really useful for a lot of people. But again, some of it is ‘of its time’ – see how much personal money the man should have, versus the woman.
But for all that, I really like this book. It’s a fascinating snapshot in time. I’ll leave you with these final nuggets of advice: care of cheese, and how to weigh a dog.
