Homeowner Rips Out Old Linoleum Floor—Discovers 1950s Time Capsule Beneath
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A post revealing old newspapers discovered beneath linoleum flooring in a century-old home has captivated users on Reddit.
Shared by user u/Samethang-0 in the subreddit r/centuryhomes, the post titled "Pulled up some old linoleum" includes several photographs of vintage newspapers used as underlay for the flooring. The post has received 1,000 upvotes since it was shared on June 14, with users expressing surprise and admiration for the unusual find.
The photos depict various newspaper pages laid across a subfloor, some containing vintage advertisements, movie listings, and even an old cartoon strip.
Although the precise date of the newspapers remains unclear, one commenter identified a few of the movie titles shown, suggesting they were from 1951. The original poster also speculated the same, noting in a later comment, "I'm unsure of the year of the newspaper's, sounds like maybe the 50's the house is prairie style around 1910's I believe."
The Reddit post coincides with broader trends in the global flooring industry. According to a 2024 report by market research firm Grandview Research, the global flooring market is valued at $360.7 billion and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.8 percent from 2025 to 2030.
"Increasing demand for aesthetic, superior, and durable floor covering solutions and changing consumer trends in floor design have aided the growth of the flooring industry over the past few years," the report stated.
The original poster also noted that no adhesive appeared to have been used to secure the linoleum. "It pulled up very easily, I don't think there was any glue," the poster said in response to another Redditor's question about how the flooring stayed in place. "My same thoughts though—how did it stay in place."
'You Found Treasure'
Reddit users were intrigued by the nostalgic discovery under the flooring.
"You found treasure! I'm jealous," commented u/DayNo7659. Another user, u/Pokemon-fan96, added "This is such a cool find! I hope you keep them, they're a nice piece of history."
The post spurred conversations not only about the novelty of the discovery, but also about the quaint charm of local newspapers from the mid-20th century.
"I always loved these small-town papers that report on who went where and who's visiting from out of town," said u/crapatthethriftstore.
Another user, u/Nellasofdoriath, responded, "That is super weird to me. Imagine you visit family and it becomes a news item!"
Several users encouraged preservation of the discovery. "I would frame it and hang it, cool conversation starter!" wrote u/Major_Guide_1058.
Others reminisced about the days when newspapers covered the minutiae of community life, such as u/PatienceHelpful1316 who said, "Looking at the stories it seems like some things remain the same, except prices of course."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.
A stock image of vintage newspapers.
A stock image of vintage newspapers.
Getty
Do you have a home renovation-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
NYC's new broker fee law already being flouted by sneaky real estate agents, tenants say: ‘Exploiting a loophole'
Well this is just un-FARE. Sneaky New York City landlords have been using tricky tactics to get around a new law that bans them from charging broker fees to renters, The Post has learned. Advertisement Some prospective renters have reported being faced with thousands of dollars in 'management' or 'technology' fees — that look awfully similar to those previously charged by landlords to pay for real estate brokers. 'They're exploiting a loophole in the law,' said Todd Roulich, a tenant broker in New York, of landlords and agents. 6 Some New York renters are still shelling out thousands of dollars in fees for real estate brokers they didn't hire, The Post has learned. Paul Martinka Advertisement Others have reported being told to sign forms stating that they were the ones to hire the broker — even when that wasn't true. The so-called FARE Act — or Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses — prohibits renters from being charged a 'broker fee' — which is typically about 15% of the annual cost of a unit. But the city Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the agency responsible for enforcing the FARE Act, told The Post it has received nearly 300 'questions and complaints' about violations of the new law since it went into effect June 11. 6 One Zillow listing demands a security deposit, one months' rent and a 'service/broker fee.' r/NYCapartments/KittyInaPinkHoodie Advertisement 6 'I'm trying to apply for an apartment, and the broker said to apply I need to hire him as my broker to represent the application,' one Reddit user said, 'which of course includes a broker fee.' ZJL Studio – Queens native Kelly McGarry told The Post she met brokers at two different apartment showings this month — both of which used sneaky methods to try to collect a fee. McGarry, 27, reported that each one of the agents she met with tried to get her to sign paperwork saying she hired them, even though she hadn't. 'I've applied for apartments in the past before, and I've never had to verify anything … of that sort,' McGarry said. 'They knew the FARE Act was coming, and they were prepared to do what they could to get around it.' Advertisement One Zillow listing for an apartment in Bayside, Queens blatantly reads: 'For compensation as 'Service/Broker Fee', you as Renter agrees to hire Jack as Broker [sic].' 6 'With the FARE Act going into effect June 11, landlords will be prohibited from passing on the fees of real estate brokers they have retained to prospective tenants,' DCWP said in a statement. Christopher Sadowski Another listing, in Brooklyn's Prospect Lefferts Gardens, even appeared to ask for a security deposit and first months' rent as a mysterious lump sum of $5,040 — followed by $1,800 each additional month. Reports of similar underhanded schemes also abound on Reddit, with one disgruntled tenant writing: 'Some places we reach out [to] … makes us agree to 1 month payment of fees if we sign a lease with them, and they won't show without it.' 'I'm trying to apply for an apartment, and the broker said to apply I need to hire him as my broker to represent the application. which of course includes a broker fee,' another user said. Other agents appear to be even more bold, with one Reddit user posting a StreetEasy listing that outright asked for a $3,500 broker fee – despite the website's own disclaimer that 'under NYC law, you can't be charged a broker fee if you didn't hire a broker.' 6 One Reddit user posted a breakdown of fees they were charged post-FARE Act enactment, including a $3,500 broker fee due at signing. r/NYCapartments/maraxlee 'I'm pretty sure thru FARE we don't have to pay this broker fee,' the user wrote. 'The issue is we desperately need this place lol.' Advertisement The Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection said when the law went into effect that 'landlords will be prohibited from passing on the fees of real estate brokers they have retained to prospective tenants' under the FARE Act. 'Landlords and their agents will be unable to pass their brokers' fees on to a prospective tenant after the effective date of this law, even if a lease was signed before the effective date,' the agency said in a statement. Some tenants may become even more desperate in the coming months according to The Real Deal, which reported that some landlords are already looking to raise rents to offset costs associated with hiring a broker themselves. 6 A November rally for the FARE Act, with council member Chi Osse speaking. Paul Martinka Advertisement Allia Mohamed, CEO of real estate website Openigloo, deemed that sneaky agents and landlords attempting to ignore and try to work around the law are simply a part of a 'very natural correction period' and that the matter will stabilize when bad actors are disciplined. 'What is really important is for renters to understand their rights when it comes to the FARE Act,' Mohamed said, and 'making sure that they're taking screenshots, saving links, keeping receipts, filing those complaints until we get through this correction period.' City council member Chi Osse, who introduced the legislation last year, urged New Yorkers to report agents and landlords who continue trying to charge a broker fee to tenants. Advertisement 'If you see an online listing that says a broker is working as a prospective tenants' broker, they're lying,' Osse said. 'They posted with landlords' permission, so they're working for the landlord.' To file a complaint regarding a FARE Act violation, consumers can visit or call 311.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reddit in talks to use Sam Altman's World ID for user verification
-- Reddit Inc (NYSE:RDDT) is in talks to integrate World ID, an iris-scanning identity verification system developed by Tools for Humanity, according to a report by Semafor. The tool would allow Reddit users to prove they are real individuals while preserving their anonymity on the platform. The discussions come as social media companies face mounting pressure to combat AI-generated content and comply with emerging global regulations on age and identity verification. Governments are increasingly urging platforms to distinguish between authentic users and automated accounts. World ID's parent company, Tools for Humanity, was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The group's broader mission is to provide universal basic income globally through the Worldcoin cryptocurrency, distributed to individuals who verify their identity via iris scans using the company's Orb device. Adopting World ID would mark a major milestone for Tools for Humanity and represent a shift for Reddit, which has traditionally prioritized anonymity but is now preparing to face heightened scrutiny over platform integrity. The addition of biometric verification could help Reddit build greater trust with users and investors alike. Privacy advocates have raised questions about the ethics of biometric data collection, though proponents argue such systems offer a robust way to counter bots without requiring real names. The move could help Reddit strike a balance between user privacy and content authenticity. If the agreement proceeds, Reddit would become one of the highest-profile adopters of decentralized identity verification. The outcome may set a precedent for how social platforms adapt to the dual pressures of AI threats and regulatory demands. Related articles Reddit in talks to use Sam Altman's World ID for user verification - Semafor QXO won't participate in bidding war for GMS - source Regulators clear Canadian Natural's SLB acquisition after divestiture agreement Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
How this startup is helping publishers profit from AI scraping
"Artificial intelligence (AI) scraping" describes the practice of using AI to extract data from websites, oftentimes without the publishers' permission. AI scraping has been a key discussion amid the AI revolution, as the practice raises questions about ethical usage of the technology. Reddit (RDDT) is suing Anthropic ( alleging the AI company used its content without authorization. TollBit CEO and co-founder Toshit Panigrahi joins Catalysts to discuss how TollBit helps publishers protect their content from AI scraping. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here. This month, Reddit sued AI giant Anthropic, claiming that the OpenAI rival had accessed its platform of more than 100,000 times it accessed the platform since July of 2022 after Anthropic allegedly said it had blocked its bots from doing so. We sat down with the COO of Reddit to discuss the suit. What's important to us is that um That we are able to protect our users privacy, their deletion rights, like we have policies um that ensure that, you know, when users take down a post like the post is taken down. And so it's really important and as we said in our terms of service that, you know, we have a conversation with folks who have access to our data because that's a commitment that we have in terms of our policies. Our next guest has crunched the numbers on the size and scope of AI scraping by bots and helps publishers profit from the scraping. Joining us now we've got Tosit Panigrahi, who is the Tolbit CEO and co-founder. Tolbit is a New York-based startup that helps news publishers monitor and make money when AI companies scrape their content. Uh, by acting almost like a toll booth of the internet, did we get that right, Tosa? Yes, that's correct. Thanks for having me. Absolutely. So take us into your business and and what you're seeing more broadly here, especially as we're knowing and knowledge knowledgeable of how much scraping these AI engines need to do in order to get either knowledge sets that can then be used for generative AI efforts and they reach to basically every source part of the web that they can essentially get their hands on for free. Absolutely. So Tobit is a platform that helps, uh, websites of all sizes monitor, manage, and monetize their AI bot traffic, which essentially means we give them tools to to get an idea of how rampant the scraping might be on their site. We give them tools to block it and enforce content access rights, and then we give them, uh, I think a real innovation is our bot paywall, a tool that allows these AI bots to come in and actually pay for sanctioned access to that content. Um, and, and data, right? And I think one of the things that we're seeing, right, especially in the last quarter is the demand for not for uh uh content for training, content for retrieval at inference time when people ask the question, the bots have to go out and read and answer your question. Is AI training as it stands right now ethical from the standard practices that users expect when they're on the internet? I think this is a question that's bigger than all of us. I think we're definitely looking to some of the course to set, to decide and set some precedent as to whether or not training is fair use, but I think, uh, us as a business, right? And I think where some of the conversation should be going should be around, you know, these bots who are, who have to go out when you and I ask a question. Finding these platforms to go read that content, right? They don't know what happened to it. They don't know what the price of the ticket was if you wanted to go to France, right? They actually have to go out and access those sites to get that information. That will be a far bigger use case than, than, uh, just training as these tools continue to evolve. And so what, what is the revenue model like? How does the business make money? So, essentially, what with the technology that we built, we have built a gateway that any AI application, agent bot can come in through and actually pay uh through the form of micropayments for access to content and data, right? So it could be anything from what happened today, right? You want, you want to read um what happened on the news today to, I want to know, you know, what the price of the hotel is today in New York, and I want you to go, uh, book. It for me, right? And so we are able to uh let the website set those rules, set the the access protocols for what that content data should cost, and then we take a transaction fee on top of that for enabling this faster, cleaner, licensed access to the content. So it's a really fascinating business and I'm sure there's a very large total addressable market that just continues to grow at this juncture. Thanks so much for bringing this down. We appreciate it. Thank you.
