Many things that seem completely ordinary can be looked at quite differently once you learn why they existed in the first place. Everyday objects, customs, household products, and familiar traditions often have histories far stranger than their modern forms suggest. People had very different ideas about health and safety, and life was usually considerably harsher. It’s interesting to see how everything developed into the modern world. WikipediaAlarm ClocksEarly alarm clocks were often designed around factory schedules, waking workers before sunrise so they could begin exhausting shifts on time.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});An Historian About TownBlack Mourning ClothesWearing black after a death became an elaborate social expectation during the Victorian era, with widows sometimes expected to remain in mourning clothing for years.National GeographicChildren’s School PhotosEarly school photography sometimes included children who had died, preserving a formal portrait for families who otherwise had few photographs of them.WikipediaToothpasteEarly tooth powders and pastes could contain ingredients such as crushed bones, charcoal, brick dust, and even toxic substances.PinterestMakeupCosmetics once contained dangerous ingredients including lead and arsenic, which were used because they produced the pale skin or bright colors considered fashionable at the time.The Secret CrocheterChristmas CrackersThe familiar holiday cracker developed from Victorian sweets and eventually became associated with the small explosions, jokes, and paper crowns that remain popular today.PinterestCorsetsCorsets were once worn so tightly that some women experienced restricted breathing, discomfort, and physical changes from prolonged use.WikipediaChildren’s ToysSome Victorian toys contained materials and chemicals that would be considered completely unacceptable today, including lead paint and other hazardous substances.RedditWedding RingsThe ancient tradition of placing a ring on the fourth finger was connected to the old belief that a vein from that finger led directly to the heart.MagnificWallpaperVictorian wallpaper could contain arsenic pigments, and damp conditions could allow toxic compounds to become airborne inside homes.RedditBaby BottlesEarly feeding bottles were difficult to clean properly, allowing bacteria to accumulate and making infant feeding considerably more dangerous.Beauty BasePerfumeFragrance was sometimes used to disguise unpleasant body odors in eras when regular bathing was less common and sanitation was poor.Vintage HairstylingHair DyeEarly hair dyes could contain highly toxic chemicals, with some formulas causing severe burns, poisoning, or other serious reactions.RedditCough SyrupSome historic medicines marketed for children contained ingredients such as opium, alcohol, or other powerful substances that would never be casually given to children today.Martha StewartDecorative Christmas TreesBefore modern electric lights became common, candles were placed directly on Christmas trees, creating a very real fire hazard inside homes.The post 15 Normal Things From the Past With Surprisingly Disturbing Histories appeared first on Den of Geek.