Okay, so maybe washboards/scrub boards aren’t as mysterious as I thought they might be. I imagined all you young people out there having no idea what a scrub board even was. Boy, was I wrong. The guesses came in fast and furious and right. A scarce few of you guessed something else, I think, just to make me feel better. 🙂 Or maybe so I wouldn’t get discouraged and stop trying to find mysterious photos. I did doctor up the scrub board photo I first posted a bit more to make it a little less obvious.
Here on the right is the original photo I took at a Cracker Barrel.
More About Washboards
The comments some of you made about the scrub board made me curious about this early laundry aid, so off I went to find out more. I knew what a washboard was. My mother had one, but I don’t remember her using it although one of you said your mother scrubbed your father’s overalls on one before she put them in the washer. Another of you noted that you’d seen somebody play music on one. Actually, you can still buy new washboards. Some are advertised as musical. But when I read some of the reviews for that one and others, I discovered people are still using the washboards for what they are intended for. Laundry. These people didn’t have washers and didn’t like going to the laundromat because of how expensive it was or due to time constraints. So they got washboards and washed their clothes the old fashioned way.
And it is the old fashioned way. Wooden washboards and bats were used by washerwomen in Italy well before the 17th Century. However, the metal washboard is an American invention and a man named Stephen Rust (honest, that was his name) patented a new idea: a “Wash Board” with a piece of “fluted tin, sheet iron, copper or zink” in 1833. I found this information and more on a website called Old and Interesting. I think that might be a great research place when I write my next historical novel.
You can also buy a modern dasher with rubber or plastic parts like this old metal one. 
My mother had one of these too and it took me a while to figure out what it was for. Reading all the history about how laundry used to be done and thinking about how my mother had to do laundry when she first married makes me really thankful for my automatic washing machine. I did use a wringer washer when I first married and heated the water with an electric heater. While that was way ahead of my mother heating water in kettles over a fire out in the yard, it wasn’t as easy as pushing a button on the washer I have now.
A New Mystery Photo
But on to a new mystery picture. The one up top. Do you know what it is? I’m sure some of you will. Sigh. You guys are hard to fool. But we’ll see. Remember each time you guess or say you don’t know on a new mystery (well, I’m trying to make them mysterious anyway) photo, you get a new entry in the drawing. Also, it’s more fun if you make your guess before you read everybody else’s guesses. After all, they could be wrong. 🙂
I’ll pick three winners on January 31st. Those winners will get their choice of one of my books, autographed to themselves or whomever they chose, along with an additional grab bag book by a different inspirational author. You must be 18 to enter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let your kids or grandkids help you guess. Just leave a comment here or send me an e-mail with your guess to get your name in my drawing hat. And I’ll go back to the drawing board to come up with a new mystery photo for Sunday.
As always thanks for reading. And thanks for playing my mystery photo game.
Comments 50
My first thought was matches but I think those who have said bristles on a hairbrush are probably correct. Now I definitely would not mistake it for the peg game at Cracker Barrel. I have played that so much I can do it with my eyes shut.
Author
And are you one of the geniuses with that peg game, Edward? My dad loved puzzles of all kinds and he figured out which hole should be empty first in order to have the best chance to win. But if he told me, I’ve forgotten. 🙂 I really thought this picture might trick some people, but you guys are just so smart. Thanks for dropping by to play my mystery photo game. Maybe you’ll win a book or two.
It looks to me like bristles on a hairbrush.
Author
You know what, Sandi? That’s what everybody is saying. But just wait till Sunday. I’ll come up with something really mysterious!! LOL.
At first glance, thought it was matchsticks ~ but plastic end to hairbrush bristles is my guess. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Author
At least I had you thinking something else for a minute, Kathleen. Always fun for you to drop by.
IL be different and say pip berries.
Author
Well, thank you for saying something different, Lucy. Now if I just knew what pip berries were. 🙂 I’m going to have to look on the internet.
My mom knew the secret to winning..however, she didn’t share it with me.
Author
Funny how some people do seem to have that extra luck when they are in a drawing. We had a lady at church who always won at those sort of things. I’m like you, Sandi. My name if it’s in a drawing generally lingers on the bottom of the pile. 🙂
That picture looks like the bristles on a hairbrush. I love your mystery photos, even if I have no clue. At first glance I thought of matches, but then I noticed some subtle differences that led to the bristle answer.
Author
You guys have great observation skills, Amy. I’m impressed. But just wait for next Sunday’s photo. I’ll trick you for sure. LOL.
A hairbrush with plastic bristles.
Author
Hi, Deborah. Good guess. Mysterious or not, I do hope everybody is having fun.
I first thought matches. Then part of a plastic flower.
Author
Matches is a good guess, Ann, and so is a plastic flower. I’ll post the rest of the picture on Sunday and a new mystery photo too. I’m spending way too much time looking for pictures that might trick you all. 🙂
I will guess the bristles of a hair brush.
Author
That is the popular guess, Connie. I’m thinking I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board. You guys are hard to trick.
The plastic bristles on a hair brush.
Author
Hi, Bobbi. I do intend to get more mysterious. Just wait. LOL.
I din’t know that you were posting comments or anything yet but my guess on this one is some type of brush those are the bristles. That is the only thing close to i can think of …I have to stay awake to know that you were doing a game why did i miss your first post Ann goodness i am so behind on the times. I know yesterday i was as someone brought my husband home at the end of work and i just knew that he was being laid off for the season till April. I thought oh no this is terrible just living on his unemployment is terrible and i have tried to get him going on something temp but no go . I just hope he finds a project soon and it isn’t in front of the tv….Good thing i had a feeling as he normally gets laid off in dec and i told him he better take all he owns out of it i felt he was going to when we got the first snow somehow when you are a underground pipeline co you think 1 snow gotta lock the doors and go on vaca..only keep a few guys going and my husband has worked for them for 20 years… Well I have to pray alot!!!
Author
Sorry to hear your husband was laid off, Peggy. Till April is a long time. Makes things hard for you. And hard for him after 20 years with them. I’ll say a prayer for both of you and for an early spring. But I’m glad you dropped by with a guess. I’ll be doing more mystery photos in the next couple of week although so far I’ve lacked a little in the mystery department. Hope my new books will be more mysterious than my pictures. 🙂
It looks a little like the tic tac toe game at Cracker Barrel….or matches or a hairbrush
Author
Have you ever won that peg game at Cracker Barrel, Sandi? Every once in a while I can get down to two pegs, but usually I’m on the you’re not too bright category. LOL. Thanks for dropping by with your guesses. You got another entry in the drawing.
Hi Ann, It is the tip of a hair brush.
Author
Hi, Danie. Fun for you to stop by with a guess. I’m back at the drawing board to come up with another picture before Sunday. 🙂
I think it is a hairbrush.
Author
Thanks for dropping by with a guess. Not saying it’s right, but it is popular. Sigh. And me working so hard to be mysterious. LOL.
Here’s my guess… the red tip of some wooden matches or the bristles on a red hair brush.
Author
Nice guesses, Emily. And they get you a new entry in my giveaway too. I’ll show the rest of the picture on Sunday and try a new mystery photo.
Nah, wooden match tips would be a lot more rough looking. These are smooth and glossy tips. Like plastic.
see? http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/wood-matches-background-close-up-34720438.jpg
I saw the puzzle last night and did not have a clue.But…… today it looks like hair brush bristles.Am I cheating?
I have to be honest, I saw the puzzle last night and did not have a clue.But……..today it does look like hair brush bristles.Am I cheating?
Author
Well, at least you were stumped for a few minutes, Evelyn. I think I’m going to have to try harder. LOL.
Hairbrush bristle.
Author
Good guess, Linda. Thanks for stopping by.
Looks like plastic ‘bristles’ of a hairbrush…..with rounded ends.
Author
But maybe it’s something else, Marji. 🙂 And maybe not.
Hair brush bristles with red tips. 🙂
Author
Right or wrong, you get another chance to win those books, Nancy. And I’ve got to work on my mysteries.
LOL! I’m tellin’ ya, you need to post microscopic photos. Here, take a look at these:
http://www.lifebuzz.com/microscope/
Author
The microscopic photos would be much harder to guess for sure, Nancy. You might even say impossible. But I’ll just stick to my own photos and do my best to confound you all every once in a while. It makes you feel better when you can figure things out and I looked at some of those pictures on the site you gave me. Nobody would ever guess those and some of them might make people shudder. 🙂 Like that used dental floss! So we’ll just keep having fun with you all being very observant and smarter than the average bear (showing my Yogi Bear Jellystone Park background there). And Sunday’s puzzle is going to be really hard! LOL.
Do appreciate your help and enjoyed the websites you found for me.