Damp and cold sheets may not be a problem for you, but they were in the 17th century. Without adequate heating and ventilation, getting into bed could be a very chilling experience. Enter the warming-pan: filled with coals it was moved swiftly between the sheets using the long handle, just before someone wanted to get into bed.
Handling these was rather dangerous because of the hot coals straight from the fire, hence the long handle.
Handles not only help us carry things - they also protect us from heat.
And not just from hot coals: when we’re cooking pretty much everything we handle has handles.
Today, we’re looking at the protective handles. And not just from heat: how about hammers?
They evolved from a large rock which was rather risky to use to an incredibly smart, balanced out tool which allows you to nail something without serious injury.
Hammer from the ‘Behouden Huys’, Nova Zembla, ca. 1590-1596, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Today, keep your eye out for any handles that protect you from harm.
On the subway.
In your kitchen.
In the toolshed.
Capture them and share them using the hashtag #kramerseye on Twitter or Instagram.