10 things we used to do before the advent of technology

12/27/2020

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History Story: 10 things we used to do before the advent of technology

In this post, we're taking a trip down memory lane to mention things that were once seen as everyday rituals but are not a part of our lives anymore due to technology. We are sure you used to do and love some of them!

#1 Using an address book for phone numbers

Back in the days, we didn't have phones that stored contacts automatically, so we had to write them down in a little notebook. For me, it was not the best time. Imagine running around the house in search of this little book when you need a number urgently... I've been in this unpleasant situation so many times!

#2 Selling your car on the street

These days, when we want to sell our cars, we just take a picture and post it on Craigslist. Back then, a lot of people parked their cars on the street with the "for sale" sign to sell them. Thanks to technology, we can now sell our things to people in other parts of the country easily.

#3 Doing math in your head

Back then we had to calculate and figure out the math in our head quite often – whenever there was no calculator available. Now we just enter the numbers and have the answer immediately. I personally like this one, as I am not very good with numbers.

#4 Using videotapes

A lot of teenagers do not even know what a videotape looks like! Can you imagine? We remember having to wait for TV shows to air then using videotape to record them. Old times. Now, with a lot of streaming services, we don't even have to go through this stress. Or does anyone miss it? And who else gets nostalgic remembering that atmosphere inside a video rental shop?

#5 Using a phone booth

In the past, when you went out and needed to call home for an emergency, your only option was using a phone booth. Our parents would hammer on how we have to leave the house with change for the phone. Right now, our cell phone is the only phone we need.

#6 Rushing to the store for a last-minute gift

We used to rush to the store when we forgot to buy gifts for special events, like birthdays, Valentine's day, even Christmas. These days, we just go online, get what we want, and opt for express delivery.

#7 Making photo albums

We used to have to wait to get our pictures printed then we put it in a leather bound book for them to be safe. These days we just prefer to take pictures and share them on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Do any of you still print photos?

#8 Calling cinemas to get movie times

We used to have to call cinemas to ask for movie times. Now all you need to do is go on Google and search what time the movie is showing at the closest cinema to you. We can even buy tickets online and then just show up at the cinema at the right time. It has gotten a lot easier, you'd agree!

#9 Cutting things out of newspaper

We actually used to cut articles we liked out of newspapers to keep or share with the loved ones. Now all we have to do is to click the share button...

#10 Sending a handwritten letter

We used to send handwritten letters to our grandparents, best friends, and cousins who lived far away. Nowadays all we have to do is send a text on WhatsApp or an email or check them on social media. What's more, we could even have a real-time video chat with them. 30 years ago, could we imagine this happening?

Does this list make you sad, or are you happy with the way technology changes our lives? Let's discuss it in the comments!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

56 Comments

Raymond Cardona

A. Lot of elementary school students don’t even learn cursive writing as it’s not really needed in this digital age. Bonnie

kandilarson

Raymond Cardona, I never really liked cursive. What makes me sad is that some young people don't even know how to read a watch or a clock.

werma

There was nothing wrong with any of those things.

Hal Wheeler

And so we’ve gotten softer, in our bodies, our minds, our brains and our realtionship. NOTHING is better than a hand written letter. It puts a part of you into someone’s hands and heart. The loss of cursive handwriting has eliminated the evidence of personality. I could go one, but what’s the use? I’m now a stranger in a foreign land.

mldopeydoc

I still use a lot of these things listed!

Doris Dallaire

They were good days. I still use and do a lot of those things. And I enjoy my mother’s photo album, it brings back good memories. Kids today won’t have the pleasure of seeing their ancestors, the thousands of pictures people take will have gotten lost somehow and they also won’t be able to read old letters and documents. What a loss of family history for them!

Ralph A. Caya

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes, like the song “in the year 2525”

lmoores

People still sell vehicles on the street.

Georgia Kemp

In NZ people still sell vehicles on the street.

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes

Bring those days back, all Technology has done is make the world lazy. Thanks to Technology you barely have to use your brain. I will agree some Technology is good especially in the world of medicine but Technology has also been a hindrance.

Sucheta Sanyal

Some of the new technology is good like having a phone with you wherever you go. But others like the whatsapp or email has robbed us of the pleasure of getting a letter from your loved ones.

dwilliamsmustang

Roger Booth, watched Star Wars that way!

dwilliamsmustang

Chris Garrett-Petts, I have freaked out people by doing math in my 65 year old head,getting a little harder though !

dwilliamsmustang

Steve Tingle, whe. I started college in 1975,my parents had to spend alot of money on my HP calculator! My chemistry professor gave us a choice at finals,100 questions with the use of a calculator, or one without, unfortunately we picked the one,it was an equation that took up two full chalkboards! I ran out of time,but got partial credit for the work!

dwilliamsmustang

I had pen pals, so excited when the mailman delivered the latest! Used to put funny sayings on the back of the envelope. Of course SWAK ,sealed with a kiss was a favorite!

John Joseph

I must be very old fashioned but I still do all of those things except no.9 I cannot stand modern technology. People do not have to use their brains anymore. I hate this digital age.

wyodinosaur

I remember when they had 16mm motion picture projectors for school. Talk about back in the dinosaur age...haha.

Steve Tingle

Remember my first calculator, got it for my first job, they were very new and as the youngest in the office I was in the situation that many kids of these days with their latest mobiles are. Early school we used pen and ink, (fountain pens were too expensive) typewriters were only in offices, while at college had to keep in touch with home via written letter or the old red phone boxes, still got all my cameras from box brownie up to recent bridge camera,