Growing older means seeing the things associated with being young slowly disappear. The old phone in a grandparent's house or a VHS tape found in the bottom of a cupboard all provoke fond memories. Unfortunately, nothing stays around forever, and in a technologically advanced country such as America, change is happening faster. Here are 18 things that are disappearing from American life.
Payphones
It’s surprising payphones still exist, but they won’t be around for much longer. There isn’t as much use for them as most people have cell phones, and maintenance is too expensive for telecommunications companies to justify keeping them around.
Drive-In Theaters
Drive-in theaters had a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic; strict guidelines and people’s reluctance to be in enclosed spaces breathed new life into a dying business. Post-pandemic theaters are again struggling financially. The cost of land in urban areas is too high, and the price of projectors to play the latest movies is prohibitively expensive.
VCRs and VHS Tapes
A quick trip to the video store to rent the latest release is a childhood memory for anyone born in the '80s or '90s. Videotapes are still available for purchase, but digital media killed off the mass production of the format. They also have a shelf-life, and the quality of the images and audio deteriorate over time.
Typewriters
Typewriters in offices are obsolete and are an unusual sight in the home. Still, there is a growing community collecting them for nostalgic value. Rare typewriters fetch thousands of dollars, but the collectors do not use them to type with, only keeping them on display for the retro aesthetic.
Analog Televisions
In 2009, analog televisions became almost useless. The switching off of the broadcast signal meant analog televisions could not receive pictures from an antenna. Gamers still use analog televisions to play retro games, but there is hardware available that allows for a smoother experience on modern televisions. Analog televisions will soon disappear as they have no practical use.
Phone Books
Looking up numbers in phone books is time-consuming, and cell phones and the internet have rendered them useless. Instead of spending 10 minutes finding a number, the internet will give you the result in seconds. They are also expensive to produce and need updating each year.
Record Stores
Accessing music is easier than ever, with most music bought directly from online stores. Digital storage systems make it simple to store music without needing a whole room to pile up records. Vinyls are still popular, especially with dance music, but even DJ equipment is going digital. Record stores aren’t profitable and are gradually disappearing.
Floppy Disks
If you ask most young people what a floppy disk is, they probably don’t know. When computer programs were small in memory size, disks were a convenient way to store and move data around. With larger storage systems, their usage has declined. Some governments do still use the format, but the risk of damage and security issues is seeing them phased out.
Milk Delivery
Milkmen delivered fresh milk to the doorsteps of millions every day. The Coronavirus pandemic saw a resurgence in milk delivery; after it ended, people returned to the store to get their milk. Modern hygiene processes and pasteurization keep store-bought milk fresher for longer, meaning the delivery of fresh milk isn’t a daily requirement.
Paper Maps
Cell phones usually have access to a map at the press of a button, so seeing someone unfolding a large and inconvenient paper map is rare. Hikers still use them as they have more detailed topographical information; for navigating a city, it’s easier to whip out a cell phone and let it take the lead. Unless enlisted in the military, most people don’t even know how to read a paper map.
Film Cameras
There is still a market for film cameras, but they are in specialist areas. Journalists, artists, and professional photographers prefer the film medium. For amateurs, digital cameras and cell phones are the cameras of choice.
Video Rental Stores
Video rental stores provided a convenient way to watch the latest movie releases at a cheap price. As online streaming services grew in popularity, the stores gradually closed. Ordering movies from the comfort of home is instant and more affordable, and most people don’t have a VHS player to play tapes.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are not energy efficient; only 5% of the energy emitted comes out as visible light. Legislation banning the importation of most types of bulbs has contributed to their disappearance. LED lights are more energy efficient and save money on electricity bills.
Rotary Phones
Rotary phones have little practical use, and it’s usually for aesthetic purposes that people own one. They look good in a 1950s-themed bar, but making a phone call with one is slow and confusing if you don't know how to use it.
Landline Phones
The convenience of cell phones has effectively made landline phones obsolete. They have their use in remote areas with no signal, but most people in cities don’t have one in their homes. Their association is often with senior people, but even they are embracing cell phones and ditching the landline.
Encyclopedia Sets
Encyclopedias held the knowledge needed to complete school assignments before the internet became the go-to resource for information. They look great but often consist of large, heavy volumes that aren’t easy to store. They are still found in libraries, schools, and universities but are expensive and not as convenient as looking something up on the internet.
Public Smoking Areas
Awareness of the dangers of smoking has led to a decline in the number of public smoking areas. Fewer people smoke, and states such as New York and California have strict rules against smoking in public areas.
Mail-In Catalogs
The rise of online shopping killed off mail-in catalog businesses. There are still some that exist, but the convenience of online shopping trumps the slow process of sending off an order and then waiting for it to arrive. Internet shopping provides next-day delivery and easier methods of return.
30 Traditional Sayings That Are Now Considered Offensive by Woke Culture
30 Traditional Sayings That Are Now Considered Offensive by Woke Culture
21 Habits Often Associated With Having a Lower Social Status
21 Habits Often Associated With Having a Lower Social Status
25 Social Issues Gen Z are Determined to Cancel
