It may be hard to imagine life without a smartphone in hand but the past century – and even decade – have shown that the evolution of everyday life is unpredictable.
Households 25 Years Ago
Less than 25 years ago, scheduling television time was common practice in most households.
Streaming services had not yet expanded into homes, and entertainment was largely dictated by the weekly TV guide.
Things That Were Once Household Regulars
Speaking of TV guides, where have they gone?
Take a look at the ever-expanding list of items that were once considered necessities in the home and are now likely gathering dust in a forgotten corner.
1. Corded House Phones
Once upon a time, family members had to sit in a common area to carry out private conversations while others listened. Mobile phones only became common in the early 2000s!
2. Discmans
Before the first iPod was released in 2001, Discmans were considered the way of the future.
Sure, you could only listen to one CD at a time, and shuffling tracks was not an option, but for the time it was the pinnacle of modern personal music.
3. Two Sets of Keys for Your Car
Before the 1950s, and even into the early 2000s, cars would require two keys to get going. One would unlock the doors, while the other would start the ignition.
Who would’ve thought one day we would have a key that did both and even beeped?
4. The CD Binder
Before DVDs, there were CDs. To minimize storage clutter (Marie Kondo would have been proud), the CDs were filed neatly into large binders.
Occasionally, as cars began to implement CD players, a smaller version of the binder would be kept in the car.
5. Popcorn Ceiling
A frustration to many modern renovators, the popcorn ceiling was popularized in the mid-1900s as a way of covering imperfections and reducing exterior noise.
It is a style preference that is not generally appreciated by the younger generation.
6. The Pop-Up Address Book
Considered exceedingly modern at the time, the pop-up address book featured a dial in which a letter of the alphabet could be chosen.
It would then flip open to reveal the hand-written details of contacts under that initial.
7. The Cube Televisions
The flatscreen only became popular in the 2000s. Before this innovation, a larger TV screen meant a bulkier appliance.
This then brought about enormous entertainment units to house the televisions, both of which have become nearly obsolete.
8. The Drip Coffee Maker
Before Starbucks, there was the time-consuming drip coffee maker. While some artisans still appreciate the art of using it today, it’s far more likely that the regular family will have something slightly more efficient.
9. Takeout Menus
Though some still like to keep hold of their paper pamphlets, for most, food ordering is done exclusively online and through mobile applications. Who needs a takeout menu when you can find your favorite snack online in seconds?
10. Printed Phone Books
While phone books are still being printed and distributed, their impact has lessened significantly. No longer do family homes shelve the thick books.
And why would they? The internet does the work with far less time and effort.
11. VCR Players
Long gone are the days of the humble VCR, and with them, the VCR players. Large and often unreliable, the machines provided yet another remote control to be occasionally lost under a couch cushion.
12. Rolodex
A staple for any home or office, the Rolodex featured a vast collection of business cards for whenever life demanded a specialized expert. Now, the internet does the job for us.
13. Floppy Discs
Before USB sticks and hard drives, the floppy disc was the solution for data storage and sharing. Some homes even had special storage containers for them!
14. Dial-Up Internet
Those born in the 1990s may have vivid memories of the familiar whirring that desktop computers emitted while connecting to the internet.
Dial-up internet is still used in rural areas, but for most of the world, it is a distant memory.
15. Movie Rental Stores
While the last Blockbuster store refuses to close, it is an anomaly in a sea of shuttered businesses.
With streaming services rapidly rising in popularity, the 2010s saw a myriad of movie rental stores close for good.
16. GPS Devices
Still sold but with waning popularity, GPS devices have been eclipsed in favor of smartphone applications and inbuilt car technology.
17. Encyclopedias
Once a pillar in any kind of learning, encyclopedias have been surpassed by the ever-developing credible sources of information available on the internet.
18. Physical Alarm Clocks
Phones and even digital alarm clocks have a firm place in many routines, but what about the analog alarm clock with the physical bell?
Let’s just say people prefer to wake up to electronic wind chimes instead.
19. Recipe Boxes
Once upon a time, recipes were jotted down on notecards and stored in a stack. Sometimes a card would be lent to a friend to copy down. These days, we just send screenshots.
20. Razor Slits
Before 1970 when the disposable razor was developed, people used high-quality razors with removable blades.
For disposal of the blades, many bathrooms had a tiny rectangle hole in the wall. Out of sight, out of mind.
21. Movie Posters for Personal Use
Still available today but in a smaller supply, movie posters were once a high-selling product at many entertainment stores.
Teenagers plastered bedroom walls with blockbuster imagery, whereas now, a bit of tasteful art usually does the trick instead.
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This article was produced by TPR Teaching. Source.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.