• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

So apparently tinsel was made from lead at one time?

S

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Watched a interesting short clip on youtube that talked about how tinsel was originally silver, then flammable aluminum then lead. Finally the FDA persuaded manufacturers to switch to safer alternatives. I did some quick searching and there are people that actually still buy/sell lead tinsel!!!!

I guess it's probably better looking than the plastic shit you get today.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-CRINKLY...314?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4baaaea2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GOLD-VI...433?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cda7d0631

Although it's probably pretty crazy considering kids are going to come in direct contact with this stuff throughout december.
 
I finally understand tinsel.
I always thought plastic tinsel looked stupid and nowhere near icicles.
The wiki says:
These plastic forms of tinsel do not hang as well as tinsel made from heavy metals such as silver and lead.
Click to expand...
Looking at pics of lead tinsel, it looks much more like icicles. (long, vertical, straight)
 
dank69 said:
Everything used to be made with lead.
Click to expand...

Pretty much.

There are still people who scoff at the health hazards of things because "My Daddy used to such and such and lived to 91". Lead tinsel is stupid, regardless of how it looks!
 
My mom use to explain to me how when they were taking down the tree after Christmas, they would remove each strand of tinsel, one by one, and save it to re-use next year.

#frugal
#depressioneraparents
 
TheSlamma said:
Another reason why everyone was more resilient and tough.. people today are fragile as hell.
Click to expand...

Comically, there is good data that backs up the idea that we are all weak, fragile, and sometimes violent today, because of all the lead back in the day. It took awhile to seep into the environment and interrupt growth.
 
edro said:
I finally understand tinsel.
I always thought plastic tinsel looked stupid and nowhere near icicles.
The wiki says:

Looking at pics of lead tinsel, it looks much more like icicles. (long, vertical, straight)
Click to expand...

I think tinsel is supposed to simulate water freezing on a christmas tree. You also need to be able to apply tinsel. Lead is actually perfect because it's both heavy, cheap and you can fold it over the tree limbs easily.
 
mmntech said:
Lead paint, delicious but deadly. :awe:

Why'd they put lead in paint anyway?
Click to expand...

I read about this since I've been painting my house. Essentially all paint has to have some sort of "base". Lead Carbonate is white, then they added linseed oil. So the lead itself was the paint once the linseed oil dried. Now they use Titanium Dioxide, which is in toothpaste and food products.
 
dank69 said:
Everything used to be made with lead.
Click to expand...

It still is. Last I checked, PVC electrical cord insulation has lead that can dry out and come off as dust over the long-term, so it's not just about licking or eating it.

Brass (e.g. door knobs), apparently, has lead to make it easier to machine -- seen a lot of water fixtures labeled as made of brass but painted or plated, not sure what happens there.

mmntech said:
Lead paint, delicious but deadly. :awe:

Why'd they put lead in paint anyway?
Click to expand...

From my general research and paranoid googling, may be to make it tougher as a material, may be for coloring, may be something else.
 
Imp said:
It still is. Last I checked, PVC electrical cord insulation has lead that can dry out and come off as dust over the long-term, so it's not just about licking or eating it.

Brass (e.g. door knobs), apparently, has lead to make it easier to machine -- seen a lot of water fixtures labeled as made of brass but painted or plated, not sure what happens there.



From my general research and paranoid googling, may be to make it tougher as a material, may be for coloring, may be something else.
Click to expand...

Yep...and lots of garden hoses (and the "brass" fittings contain lead...making them unsafe for drinking water.

Here's a news flash for youse kiddies...gasoline used to have lead in it too...and was/is considered to be one of the largest source of lead contamination in the world...
 
dank69 said:
Everything used to be made with lead.
Click to expand...

I heard they took lead out of paint because the government couldn't see through your walls anymore. haha the lead was blocking the radiation machines to see in. Kinda like the lead vest the dentist puts on you to protect you during xray
 
Holy crap at the prices on that stuff! Lots of Christmas stuff go for next to nothing at auctions. I wanted a great big pile of storage totes at an auction a couple years ago - enough totes to completely fill a grand caravan, and then some. Got them for $5 total. They were filled to the brim with Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, etc. - Looks like I'll have to search through and see what's ebayable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top