The Tack in the Ceiling
To nail a tack in the ceiling without hammer, using a ladder or chair to reach it, seems as impossible as pulling the moon down from the sky. Yet, with a little cleverness, it is quite an easy thing to do.
Place a tack, head downwards, on a half dollar, then place a small piece of tissue paper over it, so that the point of the tack passes through.
Then turn the sides of the paper down round the coin. Throw the whole, point upwards, violently against the ceiling, trying to keep this projectile of a new description from turning over on its course.
With a little practice the knack is soon acquired. The tack enters the ceiling, the violence of the shock tears the paper, which, carried away by the coin, falls to the ground.
Suppose you have a light object to suspend on the ceiling; you may do it in this manner without much trouble. Simply tie a thread to the tack, the object being attached to the other end.
If the projectile is well thrown the tack will go right in, and stick very firmly.