Developed in the early 1790s, the semaphore consisted of a series of hilltop stations that each had large movable arms to signal letters and numbers and two telescopes with which to see the other stations. Like ancient smoke signals, the semaphore was susceptible to weather and other factors that hindered visibility. A different method of transmitting information was needed to make regular and reliable long-distance communication workable. from History.com
Here is a U.S. Navy training video for using flags to signal:
Can you imagine communicating hilltop to hilltop?
It’s hard for us to picture such a life today, especially when having our phones unavailable for 15 minutes has us acting like we’re lost! Enter the telegraph machine – the beginning of the more reliable and more easily accessible communications.
In 1843, Morse and Vail received funding from the U.S. Congress to set up and test their telegraph system between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. On May 24, 1844, Morse sent Vail the historic first message: “What hath God wrought!” The telegraph system subsequently spread across America and the world, aided by further innovations.
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The electric telegraph transformed how wars were fought and won and how journalists and newspapers conducted business. Rather than taking weeks to be delivered by horse-and-carriage mail carts, pieces of news could be exchanged between telegraph stations almost instantly. The telegraph also had a profound economic effect, allowing money to be “wired” across great distances.
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Did you know? SOS, the internationally recognized distress signal, does not stand for any particular words. Instead, the letters were chosen because they are easy to transmit in Morse code: “S” is three dots, and “O” is three dashes.
A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. In general, they are the simplest mechanisms that use mechanical advantage (also called leverage) to multiply force. The six classical simple machines which were defined by Renaissance scientists are:
Lever
Wheel and axle
Pulley
Inclined plane
Wedge
Screw
The simple machine was the beginning. We could take a simple machine and multiply our efforts. Then …
Substitution as makeshift is when human ingenuity comes into play and a tool is used for its unintended purpose such as a mechanic using a long screw driver to separate a cars control arm from a ball joint instead of using a tuning fork. In many cases, the designed secondary functions of tools are not widely known. As an example of the former, many wood-cutting hand saws integrate a carpenter’s square by incorporating a specially shaped handle that allows 90° and 45° angles to be marked by aligning the appropriate part of the handle with an edge and scribing along the back edge of the saw. The latter is illustrated by the saying “All tools can be used as hammers.” Nearly all tools can be used to function as a hammer, even though very few tools are intentionally designed for it and even fewer work as well as the original.
Here, at Bahoukas Antique Mall, we have a variety of tools for nearly every need. We have a wonderful assortment of vintage tools used for woodworking. But check these out for a different peek at what you might find on a shelf :
On the left is a beautiful microscope that just might delight a young person learning a bit of science! In the center, well, this is quite the calculator. What we can do on our smartphones is so much more than the efforts made with the Comptometer! Here’s a great video explain the mechanics behind the Comptometer. You can see how the ‘simple machines’ noted above make up the way these machines worked.
Do you wonder how you use them? Here’s another video. You can advance to around 3 minutes to see how to use it.
And finally, we have an old version of a tool/instrument to read your blood pressure. It’s intriguing to see wrist cuffs now that do the same.
Keep in mind, that tools started with the simplest machines noted above. Later, when you added steam, electricity, transistors, all leading to the computer age and the use of chips. Tools and instruments are fascinating. If you’re an older person, you’ll remember many of these transitions. If you’re a younger person, it might be fun to understand the development required to have the amazing tools you use today!
Hey, stop in and visit us at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum. We love chatting. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
The variety of implements and tools are wide and varied in our antique mall. The above slides include a spinning wheel, butter churn from the early 1800s, coffee grinder, kerosene heater, minnow basket, a wheel from an assembly line belt from FW Smith & Son (out of Belcamp), a 150-year-old cask that sits on a table and in the photo is sitting on a table that would have held large barrels (from Europe and over 200 years old).
Did you notice the clothes washer? It’s a 1950s electro mite portable, electric, washing machine. The tub holds 4 gallons of water and sits in the base that is a motor that agitates the tub, washing the clothes. That’s it – add a bit of detergent to the water, add clothes, plug in and agitate – easier than a washboard!
This is an amazing set of implements and tools.
Stop in and check these out. We’ve plenty of ‘unique’ for you to browse. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
We have a huge variety of culinary items that will delight any cook among your family and friends. Here’s this special day defined by Holiday Insights:
Culinarians Day is a special day for anyone who cooks. That means just about everyone of us get to celebrate this day. You don’t have to be a chef, or a graduate of a culinary institute to celebrate this delicious day. You simply have to cook, and to enjoy the results.
There’s national concern over growing obesity in America. Recognizing this fact, one would think that this is a huge holiday. However, we found this to be one of the least known holidays in the country….. up to now. Not anymore! We have documented it so all can enjoy Culinarians Day this year, and in future years.
Now get into your kitchen and celebrate Culinarians Day. Cook up a storm!
Of course, you’ll have to stop by Bahoukas to pick up a few special items to make that dish truly “Special.”
On Thursday, July 26, we celebrate Thread the Needle Day. This day celebrates a double-meaning. We offer a bit of both in our store. Here’s the definition of this unique day:
You can be certain that today is going to be a great day…….. if you sew.
Thread the Needle Day certainly is a day for those who sew. It also has a second meaning. The term “thread the needle”, is also a saying. It means to either walk a fine and difficult line between two things or issues, or to do something difficult. For example, suppose two of your friends are on opposite sides of an issue. You may have to “thread the needle” on that issue, as you attempt to retain both of them as your friend.
The creator of Thread the Needle Day did not document this day. So, until we find him or her, you can celebrate today by either sewing or threading the needle on issues.
Here are the items for the ‘sewer’ in the family. We have some old patterns that might help you create the perfect outfit. Or maybe you need some collectible buttons or
But we might add that “Threading the Needle” also means that fine line we sometimes have to walk. In this day, that fine line might be with friends on opposite sides of the political fence. You can lose one and gain the other, or you can “Thread the Needle.” For life will go on, situations will change. May you be successful whichever way you choose to celebrate “Thread the Needle Day.”
Stop by Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum and see how you might celebrate special days. Absolutely, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Most dads are the handymen in our lives. They have just the right tools to complete a job. Whether it’s a bit of muscle to pry open a jar or a beautiful, handcrafted piece of furniture created by Dad, we all appreciate the men in our lives. We have a beautiful selection of pocket knives that might make a perfect gift for Father’s Day.
We also have some amazing and very collectible fishing lures – many created by Heddon. The fisherman in your life would most certainly appreciate this as a Father’s Day gift.
Stop by and check them out. Of course, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
But a knife is a tool first and foremost. A pocket knife quite often will have more than one blade that will allow you to loosen/tighten a screw, or even open an envelope. Others can be used to whittle wood to create a toy or small sculpture, open a package, remove a splinter, and still others are used by hunters.
CLICK HERE for a great list of 101 Pocket Knife Uses
The photo below shows the following: at top is a Display Knife made for Jones & Company by Maxam. Below that are l. to r.: 1970s Buck Knife #317 with a black case – no longer made, a 1950s Boy Scout Knife “Be Prepared”, a pen knife by Imperial with 2″ blade and a Florida Souvenir Knife in sheath and it has a small compass on the handle. The bottom row is an advertising pocket knife with 3″ blade for P.K. Maurer & Scott Sales Inc. – says High Explosives Blasting Supplies and also IV. 3.0300 Phila. 27, PA, also a Johnston Mfg pearlized handled 2″ blade pocket knife, and a U.S. Military knife by Camillus 1977.
KNIFE SAFETY
… because YOUR SAFETY matters to everyone at Bahoukas. We’ve attached this short video to help guide you in using your knife. All kids should learn from someone with experience. Think safety first! ENJOY!
Okay… stop in soon with your gift list, we’ll be watchin for ya and ready to help!
Sometimes that special guy in your life is difficult to find the perfect gift. Bahoukas would like to help you with some ideas:
Antique and Collectible Tools are a great idea for the wood worker in your life:
Of course, our Beer MuZeum offers a wonderful variety for that ‘man-cave’.
Thinks like beer taps & mugs, Neon signs, mirrors, beer steins and more. We have a variety of brewmania to make the ‘man-cave’ perfect or to add to his collectibles.
We have some fine men’s jewelry pieces
… that include watches, pocket watches, ‘girly stuff’ such as Playboy Cuff Links.
For the sportsman,
… we have Heddon fishing lures, Decoys, Nascar items, collectible sports cards to name just a few things.
Maybe old bottles, coins or a special knife would be a better fit.
Have you considered games, cameras, old phones, military items, or even scales?
Hurry in to Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum – let us help you find the perfect gift for the special guy on your list. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Every parent dreaded the ‘batteries NOT included’ especially if they forgot to put them in a gift for Christmas or a birthday! But 1950s battery operated Japanese Toys were extremely popular. Actually these toys were popular for young and old.
After opening its doors to the West during the Meiji period (1868 – 1912), Japan quickly transformed into an industrialized nation following in the footsteps of the industrial revolution that similarly drove much cultural change in America and Europe. Japan especially flourished during and after the period of the Great War (1914 – 1918), as Western production and exports of goods, including toys, came to a virtual standstill. During this Golden Era, Japanese toy manufacturers focused on creating unique toys for both the domestic and international markets, including the now-classic wind-up and battery-operated toys (then considered a novelty and break-through in toy technology). from ardenanne.com
In the above photo we have a bear that pours soda and drinks it, fire dept. 12 fire truck that lights up while bell dingles and the driver steers, and a bartender who pours and shakes the drink while smoke comes out his ears. Ha ha ha, definitely fun toys and especially entertaining back in the 50s.
These collectibles are available at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace, MD. Stop in and see them for yourself. We’ll be watchin’ for you!
… can be some of the best tools you’ll have in your garage, workshop or barn. They are often made better and have stood the test of time. Well-used, they seem to fit perfectly in your hands. Cleaned up, they are truly beautiful.
At Bahoukas Antique Mall we have a wonderful selection of old tools. We’re sure a couple of them are exactly what you’ve been searching for.
If you’re wondering how to clean them and if you should bother, consider this:
Whenever I head back home to the Midwest to visit my family, my dad and I always schedule at least one afternoon to spend together, scouring local antique stores for beautiful old hand tools. Why? Because, beneath years of dirt and grime, we’ve found files, planes, screwdrivers, and hand-drills that have turned out to be some of our favorite and most-reliable tools in our workshops—all they needed was a bit of cleaning and some basic maintenance to bring them back into good working order. So, if you’ve been collecting old tools but not using them, maybe it’s time to put ’em back to work! This helpful guide to cleaning old tools with common household items that Anne Briggs from Anne of All Trades shared on Craftsy is a great place to start. _from Makezine
