Day 23 #100DaysOfOldDays

I’m too young to remember the big tea chests that were used to ship loose tea from one country to another. Back in the 40’s & 50’s the tea chest sat on the shop floor and the loose tea leaves were scooped out and weighed into bags for the customers.

The most interesting story I’ve heard about tea chests is that they were often used as playpens back then.

Before the wooden railed playpen came on the scene, mothers had to use their imaginations when it came to protecting their inquisitive tots from harm.

A tea chest was a safe and acceptable option in those days. Sizes varied from 400×400×620 mm to 500×500×750 mm. At least the child had a little bit of space to move around in, compared to being strapped into her pram.

I’m sure if you were seen putting your child into a big wooden box these days, eyebrows would raise and tongues would wag. Although, there’s nothing like a big cardboard box to keep children occupied when they’re bored!

Here’s Lucy’s sketch today!