51 Life Hacks That Are So Simple, You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing Them!

Truth be told - much of what we know or do (other than iPhone hacks) has been passed down from generation to generation. Everything from how to light a fire to how to turn up a canoe or something seemingly useless like how to run away from a dog - we know these because people before us (the sort who hunted, gathered and did other things with their lives than tweet) have told us this. The tragedy was these hacks weren't all in the same place - till right now. The New York Public Library recently digitised its 'How To Do It' cards collection - and inside are gems and life hacks that have outlived your grandparents and mine.?

The collection was originally made by a British cigarette brand Gallaher's which started inserting stiffening cards in cigarette packs to make them sturdier. These cards then became so popular that the brand started an entire 'How To Do It' Series which went on to become a collectible. Here's our pick of the list:

1. How to bandage a foot

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2. How to fix loose shoes

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3. How to increase your lung power!

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4. How to judge the weather

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5. How to keep the saucepan lid raised

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6. How to light a fire without wood

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7. How to secure a nut?

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8. How to mend a broken plate

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9. How to prevent glasses from steaming up

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10. How to swat that annoying fly!

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11. How to treat an animal bite

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12. How to extract a splinter?

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13. How to light a match in the wind?

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14. How to tell the points of a compass with a watch?

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15. How to treat sprains?

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16. How to make a fire extinguisher?

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17. How to carry a heavy jug?

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18. A hint when boiling potatoes?

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19. How to kill a tree stump?

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20. How to make corks fit?

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21. How to pull out long nails?

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22. How to measure with coins?

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23. How to detect escaping gas?

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24. How to cool wine without ice?

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25. How to boil cracked eggs?

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26. How to preserve valuable vases?

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27. How to remove sea stains from brown shoes?

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28. How to make a simple gate latch?

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29. How to clean an oil painting?

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30. How to test butter?

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31. How to draw a circle without a compass?

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32. How to clean real lace?

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33. How to revive cut flowers?

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34. How to judge the freshness of a lobster?

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35. How to make water fountains for chicks?

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36. How to treat squeaky boots

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37. How to adjust a door?

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38. How to cut a loaf of bread into slices?

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39. How to remove a glass stopper from a bottle?

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40. How to detect dampness in beds?

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41. How to draw an ellipse with a string?

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42. How to pick up broken glass?

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43. How to stop a runaway horse?

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44. How to clean new boots?

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45. How to remove a tight ring from a finger?

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46. How to keep a paint brush handle clean?

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47. How to take ink stains off a handkerchief?

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48. How to fit a large candle in to a small candlestick?

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49. How to clean bottles?

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50. How To Tie Every Type Of A Knot?

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51. How to separate glass tumblers?

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Found these hacks useful? Tell us your hacks in the comments section below.?