20 Strange Tools That Colonial Americans Had To Use To Survive

Could you have lived in colonial times? Well, you'd be without all of the modern tech we take for granted today. You'd have to give up your cell phone and get your hands around a sugar nip. And if you wanted to teach your child, there'd be no internet to rely on — only a hornbook. But those definitely aren't the strangest tools colonial Americans used to survive...

1. Flail

The flail was an essential farming tool in colonial times, and it was often no more than two wooden sticks joined by a leather strap. It was definitely handier than it looks, though. Used to beat or "thresh" wheat and other grains, the flail made removing seeds and husks a breeze.

2. Sundial

These days, many kids can't even read a wall clock. Imagine them trying to tell the time using this! But, of course, sundials did have their drawbacks. On a cloudy day, anyone looking to check the time was completely out of luck.

3. Whirligig

Before it was normal for toys to be manufactured en masse, kids played with whatever they could find around the house. Enter the whirligig. This was often just a clay button with string threaded through the middle, and a child would simply pull on the ends to set the toy whirring and buzzing.

4. Tape Loom

Tape looms were invented to make narrow bands of fabric designed for tying aprons, hats, clothing, bags, and practically anything else you wanted to be fastened. Eventually, though, they were replaced by the much more convenient zipper.