Hold-Tite Numbering Tacks

Since become an apartment dweller, I no longer have to go through the autumnal ritual of taking down the window screens and putting up the storm windows.  I remember it being a helluva task, but even worse was putting screens back up in the spring.  Even though all the windows were the same, over the years the screens warped and bent to an almost custom fit.  The retreat of the snows meant many trips up and down the ladder trying to cajole all of the screens back into place.

It never occurred to me to mark the windows somehow - especially in a way that would weather the years.  Proving that there is no new idea under the sun, the folks behind Acro Hold-Tite Numbers knew my pain all the way back in 1948.  Each set of these heavy tacks (in rustproof "white brass" according to the package) contains clearly numbered pairs; one to nail into the window ledge, the other into the screen.  Just match up the numbers in the springtime, and your home is practically insect proof.

I've not seen a modern product like this (what are you supposed to use these days... one of those electronic label makers?), but I guess that screen window technology has moved on to be better fitting.  Then again, don't those precision aluminum framed screens look goofy on a gorgeous old Victorian house?  If any of you are faced with a similar problem, perhaps the ol' Hold-Tite tacks hint at some innovative solution you can adopt (besides foisting the task onto your children, of course...).

If nothing else, at least you can think about this strong-armed anthropomorphized tack who's entire self-worth is predicated on helping you keep your screens sorted.

Now that I think about it, why were they so worried about keeping bugs out with screens in 1948?  Weren't people just slathering everything with DDT?