There are some technologies that we were once so grateful for, and wondered how we ever happily existed without them. And then one day they became useless. Here's a look at some of those technologies.
Dial-up modems
Can you say “pshhhkkrarragschschschsch”?
Although we may miss the sound that represented the beginning of the Internet, as one modem connected with another across a repurposed telephone infrastructure, I think it’s safe to say that many of us are glad those days are over.
Data storage media
Image via io9.
Extinct along with the dodo bird are formats such as floppy disks, zip disks, and jaz disks. It also might be true, for the most part, that CDs and DVDs are also done.
Graphical and video media storage
Image via io9.
The VHS has also gone to dead format heaven, along with technologies like the laser disk. We can also say goodbye (if you already haven’t) to analog slides, analog film, and disposable film cameras.
Audio players and media storage
Image via io9.
Remember recording a song on your ¼-inch cassette tape, and having to flip from the A-side to the B-side? Thankfully that’s a thing of the past, along with Walkmans, vinyl records (except as novelty items), the digital audio tape, and old-fashioned records.
Cathode ray tube televisions
Image via www.wisegeek.org
With the introduction of slim, eye-appealing plasma and LED screens, the deep television sets that once made themselves at home in living rooms everywhere, were put to rest.
Folding maps
Image via googlemapsmania.blogpost.com.
Thank you, GPS, for killing the foldable map. We now depend heavily on you and these large pieces of paper we once relied on so much while traveling are considered ancient. Just be sure to save one of these for the apocalypse.
Public pay phones
Image via www.payphone.com
If you can’t find one of these (what century are you living in?), I’m sure the person nearest to you has a mobile phone you can borrow.
Various computer ports
Image via www.wisegeek.com
Fortunately the Universal Serial Bus, or USB, has lived up to its name, eliminating ports for external devices such as keyboards, mice, and printers.
Landlines
Image via slashgear.com
Aside for a few, oh, billion subscribers, everyone knows that landlines, known as the fixed home phones that use a solid medium telephone line, are becoming obsolete.
Answering machines
Image via conrad.com
“Leave a message after the beep.” No. With so many of us now with our mobile phones on us 24/7, there’s no need for a bulky answering machine.
What other obsolete technologies do you remember? Let us know — leave a comment below.
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