Picture and dado rails

In the 50s, picture and dado rails were not fashionable decorations - they had a clear purpose. I am pretty certain that any house that I went into in the 50s had those rails. The picture rail was there - yes, you've guessed it - to hand pictures from; special curved pieces of metal hooked over the picture rail and cord went from there to the back of the picture or mirror - two hooks and cords to a picture. The purpose of the dado rail was to stop furniture, mainly chairs, from damaging the wall.