The article “Do You Remember the Function of This Hole?” reflects on an interesting discovery made during house renovations, specifically in homes built over a century ago. The author shares their experience of finding a small slit in the back of old medicine cabinets, a feature that many might overlook. This slit was used as a safe disposal method for old razor blades before the introduction of modern safety containers.
In the past, metal razor blades were common but would dull quickly. Tossing them into the trash was dangerous, so people would slide used blades through the slit, where they would drop into the wall cavity and accumulate over time, out of sight and reach. This method kept sharp objects away from children, pets, and trash pickers. However, today, opening up these old walls often reveals piles of rusty blades, a quirky reminder of how past generations solved everyday problems with limited resources.
The author finds such discoveries fascinating, as they offer a glimpse into how people adapted to the challenges of their time.
