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Throwback Tech: 15 formerly awesome electronics

Check out these gadgets that have become obsolete

1. Phonograph
phonograph
In 1877, Thomas Edison developed the record-playing phonograph. Later on in the 20th century, it was replaced with a sleeker and smaller record player. 

2. Boom Boxes
boombox
Sales of boom boxes boomed in the 1970s, but our music-delivery systems have gotten vastly smaller. 

3. VHS
vhs
Invented in the 1980s by JVC, the VHS video format dominated the market, beating out Sony's Betamax.

4. Laser Disc Players
laserdiscplayer
These laser discs were invented by MCA DiscoVision in 1978. Users inserted the large DVDs-like discs into the player to watch content.

5. PDAs
pda
Apple’s Newton was a Personal Digital Assistant, allowing users to carry around a pocket-sized computer-type object. Although it was considered a failure, the development of this device paved the way for the iPod and the iPhone.

6. Pagers
pager
Pagers were popular from the 1970s through the 1990s. When cell phones hit the market, pager use became antediluvian.

7. Dial-Up Modems

dialupmodem

These modems were ubiquitous until cable and DSL Internet connections became available. 

8. Floppy Disks

floppydisks
You backed up files and documents with floppy disks in the 1970s.

9. Slide Projectors

slideprojector1
Now retailers sell pocket-projectors that stream from a computer or USB drive.

10. CRT Monitor

crtmonitor
This type of monitor used cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to create picture quality that is scoff-worthy to our modern eyes.

11. Gigantic Mainframes

mainframes
Mainframes are still used, but thankfully they don’t take over your entire room. Also, information is no longer stored on magnetic tape. Your smartphone holds far more information than this mainframe.

12. Cassette Tape Recorders

taperecorder
Used mostly by journalists, these convenient recorders were less massive than their reel-to-reel predecessors.

13. “Super 8/8mm” Handheld Video Cameras

kodak8/8mmvideocamera
In 1965, Kodak created this film format. Capturing everyday moments was now simple and affordable for personal media making.

14. Portable Televisions

sonywatchman
Handheld TVs like Sony’s Watchman provided limited channels, and never really became that popular.

15. Seiko Wrist Computer

seikowristcomputer
In 1984, this computer was as smart as a smartphone could get for that time. It was quite large, taking over nearly half of the wearer’s arm.

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