People had no idea how electricity worked in the 1930s
Illustrations from 1931 show that people did not always understand that water and electricity do not mix.
Thomas Edison was famously the first man to light a bulb using electricity in 1879. Modern life was forever changed and, while it was a step up from using gas and fire to cook or transport things and people, it also presented a new set of problems.
A book called Elektroschutz in 132 Bildern (which loosely translates to 'Electrical Protection in 132 Pictures') by Stefan Jellinek was released in 1931 and it shows that protecting oneself from the dangers of this wonderful new thing called electricity certainly did not come naturally.
Aside from the usual warnings to keep electrical appliances such as hairdryers away from water, or to never leave an iron on, there are other, more bizarre warnings included in Jellinek's illustrations.
How would a cow that was being milked be electrocuted by a streetlight? And was it common practice for people to ride bales of hay so high that their heads would make contact with electrical wiring? It appears that using electricity in everyday activities was quite hazardous in the 1930s!
But, outrageous as they may be, these pictures are a reminder to keep yourself safe whenever you're working with electricity. And, of course, to be grateful for advancements in technology!
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