10 Ordinary Objects with Surprisingly Dark Histories
Some everyday items you use daily have histories darker than you might expect.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Objects we take for granted often have stories tied to violence, exploitation, or tragedy. Their origins reveal uncomfortable truths about society and history. Understanding these backgrounds gives us a new perspective on familiar things.
1. Ivory Toothbrushes
Savory and Moore Limited on Wikimedia Commons
Ivory was once a common material for luxury toothbrush handles, but its use fueled the brutal elephant ivory trade, which led to widespread poaching and the near extinction of elephants. The demand for ivory toothbrushes contributed to this dark environmental crisis. Today, ivory is banned in many places, and plastic is the safer alternative.
2. Cast Iron Skillets
FiveRings on Wikimedia Commons
Cast iron cookware became popular during the American slave era. Many enslaved people were forced to make these heavy skillets by hand in harsh conditions. Though durable and useful, these pans carry the weight of forced labor in their production. Remembering this history adds depth to their everyday use.
3. Denim Jeans
Fahad Faisal on Wikimedia Commons
Jeans were originally workwear designed in the 19th century for miners and laborers. Some of the cotton used in denim came from plantations where enslaved people toiled under brutal conditions. Even after slavery ended, exploitative labor continued in cotton farming. The fabric’s history is tied to hardship and injustice.
4. Ivory Piano Keys
Daniel Spils on Wikimedia Commons
Like ivory toothbrushes, piano keys were once commonly made from elephant tusks. This practice intensified the ivory trade, harming elephant populations worldwide. Many antique pianos still contain these keys. Modern instruments use synthetic materials to avoid this dark legacy.
5. Chalk
Nakaner on Wikimedia Commons
Chalk used in classrooms and art often contains calcium carbonate sourced from limestone quarries. Historically, mining these quarries was dangerous and exploited laborers, sometimes including children. The simple act of writing on a chalkboard has a deeper, harsher backstory. Today, safer and synthetic chalks are common.
6. Ballpoint Pens
Masashige MOTOE on Wikimedia Commons
The ballpoint pen’s invention is linked to wartime efforts. During World War II, the need for a reliable, quick-drying pen led to the development of this design. Its widespread use in military contexts and surveillance adds an unsettling twist. While harmless now, its origin is wrapped in conflict.
7. Paper
Brandi Redd on Wikimedia Commons
Paper production historically involved cutting down forests and often exploited workers in mills with poor conditions. The pulp and paper industries contributed to deforestation and hazardous labor environments. The paper in your notebook has roots in environmental damage and human struggle. Efforts now focus on sustainable paper production.
8. Chalkboards
David Malone on Wikimedia Commons
Chalkboards became standard in classrooms in the 19th century, when access to education was limited and uneven. For many, the introduction of chalkboards symbolized control and discipline in rigid schooling systems. The history of education reform and inequality is reflected in this simple object. Its role in shaping minds comes with a complex past.
9. Glass Bottles
George Chernilevsky on Wikimedia Commons
Glass bottles have been used for centuries, but their production often involved child and forced labor in factories. Working with molten glass was dangerous and poorly regulated. Many workers suffered injuries or exploitation to keep the supply flowing. Modern standards aim to prevent such abuses, but the history remains.
10. Light Bulbs
Loadmaster on Wikimedia Commons
The invention and mass production of light bulbs transformed society but relied heavily on industrial labor conditions that were often unsafe. Early factories had long hours, poor safety, and low pay. The bright future promised by electric light came at a high cost for many workers. Today, labor laws protect workers better, but the history is part of the story.