Fun quiz questions
These quizzes are about how ordinary people lived in the UK in the early-mid 20th century. They are designed for individual use although they can be used in a group. They are just for your amusement. There is no signing in and nothing about you or your answers are kept. They are free, but are copyright.
Quiz 3. WHAT DID WE USE BEFORE PLASTICS?
Plastics only became common in the 1950s. See how much you know about what common objects were made of before then.
Tap/click your chosen answer followed by the submit button.
1. Spare carrier bags
Plastic carrier bag
This is a modern plastic carrier bag which can be tucked away into a small space for carrying. What was the pre-plastic, small-space equivalent made of?
A string carrier bag
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Pre-plastic fold-away carrier bags were made of string netting which would screw up into a small space. They were known as 'string bags'. See how shopping goods used to be wrapped. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
2. Drinking water for travel
Plastic bottle of water
These days when we travel, we take a shop-bought plastic bottle of water. What lightweight, unbreakable container did people carry water in before plastics became common?
Old style aluminium water bottle with cork
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Water for travelling was filled from the tap into purpose-made metal containers - actually aluminium for being light and non-breakable. Corks prevented spillage although they were rather unreliable, even when they were pushed in tightly as bits tended to break off. These bottles were not throw-away items. There are a number of pages on old-style travel, see the travel menu. The link will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz. Glass bottles might also have been used, but they were heavier than the aluminium water bottles.
3. Clothes pegs
Plastic clothes peg
Modern clothes pegs are largely made of plastic. What were the pre-plastic equivalents made of?
Wooden clothes peg
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
All old-style clothes pegs were made of wood. Common ones were known as gypsy clothes pegs because gypsys made them from free woodland wood by shaping two pieces and joining them together, as shown with metal bands. For more on this subject see drying clothes in bygone times. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
4. Garden water-butts
Plastic water butt
This is a modern plastic water butt normally used to collect rainwater. What was the early 20th century equivalent made of?
Wooden water butt
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Water butts were made of strips of unseasoned wood, squeezed into shape with metal bands, so that they wouldn't leak. More about it see growing seedlings. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
5. Watering cans
Plastic watering can
This is a modern plastic watering can. What was the early 20th century equivalent made of?
Old watering can
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Old watering cans were made from galvanised iron. For how they were used, see growing seedlings. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
6. Laundry baskets
Plastic laundry basket
This is a modern plastic laundry basket. What was the pre-plastic equivalent made of?
Cane laundry basket
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Pre-plastic washing baskets would be made of cane. See drying the wash in good weather. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
7. Garden reclining chairs
Plastic garden lounger
This is a common type of plastic reclining garden chair. What was the seat of the most common pre-plastic folding version made of?
Canvas and wood deckchair
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
In the past, the most common folding garden chair was known as the deckchair which is still seen on beaches today. Its back could be set to three or four positions, allowing it to be upright or reclining, and by tradition which never seemed to be questioned, the canvas seating was always coloured stripes. Wooden slatted chairs also existed but were nowhere near as common as deck chairs.
8. Mixing bowls for baking
Plastic mixing bowl
This is a modern plastic mixing bowl. What was the pre-plastic equivalent made of?
China mixing bowl
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Mixing bowls were made of glazed china . They were quite heavy and would readily break or chip when dropped. For more information see kitchen-tools-baking.htm. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
9. Breadboards
Plastic breadboard
This is a modern plastic breadboard. What was the early 20th century equivalent made of?
Wooden breadboard
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
In the past breadboards were made of plain wood, known as white wood and they would have been scrubbed with a scrubbing brush, soap and water after (almost) all uses, making them almost white. For more about this see what was kept in the pantry. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
10. Washing-up bowls
Plastic washing up bowl
This is a modern plastic washing up bowl. What was the early 20th century equivalent made of?
Enamel washing up bowl
SORRY, WRONG
GOOD! You're right
Washing up bowls were made of enamel, strictly speaking vitreous enamel. They chipped all too easily, showing ugly black underneath. For more information see old sinks. This will open as a new page. Just close it to return to the quiz.
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sources: early 20th century material
sources: ww2 home front and other material
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