#6: Dimple Maker
Believe it or not, this isn’t some medieval torture contraption! Back in the swinging ’30s, a grin was deemed incomplete without a pair of charming dimples. Everybody loves dimples, right? Well, those lacking these coveted indentations weren’t left in despair. The Dimple Maker, a device that seemed more at home in a gothic horror novel, promised to etch dimples into their cheeks by ruthlessly burrowing into their cheekbones.
Despite the grand promises of Mrs. E. Isabella Gilbert from the Big Apple, her peculiar brainchild left much to be desired. An old advert for the contraption cheerfully claimed, “Adorn your cheeks with this, and two knobs will soon craft a charming set of dimples!” Those who braved the discomfort of this odd device were often left dimple-less, their dreams of cheeky charm dashed on the harsh rocks of reality.