Ad from an issue of Popular Science Magazine telling people to burn their old batteries because the burning zinc may help clean your chimney. Also, colorful flames. 1951.

    by Lepke2011

    13 Comments

    1. Tbf there’s lots of things that may help clean your chimney. Bleach, bats, orphans with those really long scratchy sticks, vitamin D, water. Who knows what else may clean a chimney until we try it?

    2. PizzaWhole9323 on

      I would just like to honor all of the before moments that have come before.. when we didn’t have fail army yet. And that’s how great grandpa lost an eye.

    3. Is there a risk of explosion? Not that I’m condoning this at all LOL but if you did it in a campfire would it still light up and look cool?

      For the record, please nobody try this. It’s not good for the environment I’m sure I’m just curious

    4. hiddengirl1992 on

      Remember seeing someone explain that these weren’t the same kinda batteries we use today, the toxic chemicals were very minimal and they were mostly zinc which did actually help with soot or smth. I don’t know, just remembering a thing.

    5. Particular-Leg-8484 on

      I’ve always wondered what the 2025 equivalent of this ad would be, as in what is “advice” right now that in another 50 years people will be like “oh god wtf”

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