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9 "Dumb" Devices The World Doesn't Use Anymore

Published October 13th, 2019 - 11:09 GMT

 

In 2019, the key word in the tech world is “smart”; smart home devices, smartphones, smart cars, smart home appliances, and the list goes on. 

That wasn’t the case though back in the 80s and 90s. The tech products in that era didn’t rely on AI or IoT. Hence,  people used to have several devices to achieve things that can be done now by one single device.

We list here 9 “dumb” devices that were popular one day but obsolete nowadays. Do you recognize any? If you’re nodding your head, consider investing in an eye-cream ?

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1. Dial-up modem: Although this device introduced us to the World Wide Web, it was inconvenient on so many levels. How many times was your connection accidentally terminated because someone wanted to use the phone?! For those who can’t relate, let me just say that it wasn’t easy to have Internet access back then as it is today.

1. Dial-up modem: Although this device introduced us to the World Wide Web, it was inconvenient on so many levels. How many times was your connection accidentally terminated because someone wanted to use the phone?! For those who can’t relate, let me just say that it wasn’t easy to have Internet access back then as it is today. (Shutterstock)

2. Floppy disks: Have you ever had to submit your assignment on one of these? If you’re not familiar with these colorful squared-shaped devices, these were known as floppy disks and used to save up to 1.44 MB worth of data.

2. Floppy disks: Have you ever had to submit your assignment on one of these? If you’re not familiar with these colorful squared-shaped devices, these were known as floppy disks and used to save up to 1.44 MB worth of data. (Shutterstock)

3. CDs: Those round-shaped devices replaced the squared ones we just talked about. And although the CD ports still exist in the cars and laptops, people don’t use them as much because of other services like online subscriptions.

3. CDs: Those round-shaped devices replaced the squared ones we just talked about. And although the CD ports still exist in the cars and laptops, people don’t use them as much because of other services like online subscriptions. (Shutterstock)

4. Fax machines: Even Though the first fax device was invented in 1843, it wasn’t commonly used until the 1980s and it used to cost up to $20,000. People were fascinated by the fact that a piece of paper can be transmitted in a matter of seconds from one country to another! I bet people who were introduced to emails as the first form of telecommunicating are fascinated by this fact.

4. Fax machines: Even Though the first fax device was invented in 1843, it wasn’t commonly used until the 1980s and it used to cost up to $20,000. People were fascinated by the fact that a piece of paper can be transmitted in a matter of seconds from one country to another! I bet people who were introduced to emails as the first form of telecommunicating are fascinated by this fact. (Shutterstock)

5. VCRs: Before the term “Let’s Netflix and chill” was invented, people relied on this invention for entertainment. They used to purchase/rent VHS tapes and watch them on their VCRs. If you have no clue what we’re talking about, a VCR is a Video Cassette Recorder, and a VHS is a Video Home System, and your parents’ wedding is most probably saved on of these.

5. VCRs: Before the term “Let’s Netflix and chill” was invented, people relied on this invention for entertainment. They used to purchase/rent VHS tapes and watch them on their VCRs. If you have no clue what we’re talking about, a VCR is a Video Cassette Recorder, and a VHS is a Video Home System, and your parents’ wedding is most probably saved on of these. (Shutterstock)

6. Flip flop phones: Nothing used to be more satisfying than ending a provocative phone call using a flip flop phone. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to experience that, you still have the chance with Nokia 2720.

6. Flip flop phones: Nothing used to be more satisfying than ending a provocative phone call using a flip flop phone. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to experience that, you still have the chance with Nokia 2720. (Shutterstock)

7. PDAs: We’re not referring to Public Display of Affection here. We’re talking about the Personal Digital Assistant that is now being replaced by the one and only invention - the smartphone.

7. PDAs: We’re not referring to Public Display of Affection here. We’re talking about the Personal Digital Assistant that is now being replaced by the one and only invention - the smartphone. (Shutterstock)

8. Beepers: Another device that has been replaced by the smartphone is the beeper. As a matter of fact, the beeper became obsolete before the smartphone was even invented. People stopped using it once the mobile phone was available in stores.

8. Beepers: Another device that has been replaced by the smartphone is the beeper. As a matter of fact, the beeper became obsolete before the smartphone was even invented. People stopped using it once the mobile phone was available in stores. (Shutterstock)

9. Walkman: It’s one of the coolest inventions that we don’t use anymore, isn’t it? If it’s the first time you see this device, this is how people used to enjoy music before iPods and MP3 players were invented. Like the VCR, it needed something to be inserted in it and in this case it was the cassette.

9. Walkman: It’s one of the coolest inventions that we don’t use anymore, isn’t it? If it’s the first time you see this device, this is how people used to enjoy music before iPods and MP3 players were invented. Like the VCR, it needed something to be inserted in it and in this case it was the cassette. (Shutterstock)

1. Dial-up modem: Although this device introduced us to the World Wide Web, it was inconvenient on so many levels. How many times was your connection accidentally terminated because someone wanted to use the phone?! For those who can’t relate, let me just say that it wasn’t easy to have Internet access back then as it is today.
2. Floppy disks: Have you ever had to submit your assignment on one of these? If you’re not familiar with these colorful squared-shaped devices, these were known as floppy disks and used to save up to 1.44 MB worth of data.
3. CDs: Those round-shaped devices replaced the squared ones we just talked about. And although the CD ports still exist in the cars and laptops, people don’t use them as much because of other services like online subscriptions.
4. Fax machines: Even Though the first fax device was invented in 1843, it wasn’t commonly used until the 1980s and it used to cost up to $20,000. People were fascinated by the fact that a piece of paper can be transmitted in a matter of seconds from one country to another! I bet people who were introduced to emails as the first form of telecommunicating are fascinated by this fact.
5. VCRs: Before the term “Let’s Netflix and chill” was invented, people relied on this invention for entertainment. They used to purchase/rent VHS tapes and watch them on their VCRs. If you have no clue what we’re talking about, a VCR is a Video Cassette Recorder, and a VHS is a Video Home System, and your parents’ wedding is most probably saved on of these.
6. Flip flop phones: Nothing used to be more satisfying than ending a provocative phone call using a flip flop phone. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to experience that, you still have the chance with Nokia 2720.
7. PDAs: We’re not referring to Public Display of Affection here. We’re talking about the Personal Digital Assistant that is now being replaced by the one and only invention - the smartphone.
8. Beepers: Another device that has been replaced by the smartphone is the beeper. As a matter of fact, the beeper became obsolete before the smartphone was even invented. People stopped using it once the mobile phone was available in stores.
9. Walkman: It’s one of the coolest inventions that we don’t use anymore, isn’t it? If it’s the first time you see this device, this is how people used to enjoy music before iPods and MP3 players were invented. Like the VCR, it needed something to be inserted in it and in this case it was the cassette.
1. Dial-up modem: Although this device introduced us to the World Wide Web, it was inconvenient on so many levels. How many times was your connection accidentally terminated because someone wanted to use the phone?! For those who can’t relate, let me just say that it wasn’t easy to have Internet access back then as it is today.
1. Dial-up modem: Although this device introduced us to the World Wide Web, it was inconvenient on so many levels. How many times was your connection accidentally terminated because someone wanted to use the phone?! For those who can’t relate, let me just say that it wasn’t easy to have Internet access back then as it is today. (Shutterstock)
2. Floppy disks: Have you ever had to submit your assignment on one of these? If you’re not familiar with these colorful squared-shaped devices, these were known as floppy disks and used to save up to 1.44 MB worth of data.
2. Floppy disks: Have you ever had to submit your assignment on one of these? If you’re not familiar with these colorful squared-shaped devices, these were known as floppy disks and used to save up to 1.44 MB worth of data. (Shutterstock)
3. CDs: Those round-shaped devices replaced the squared ones we just talked about. And although the CD ports still exist in the cars and laptops, people don’t use them as much because of other services like online subscriptions.
3. CDs: Those round-shaped devices replaced the squared ones we just talked about. And although the CD ports still exist in the cars and laptops, people don’t use them as much because of other services like online subscriptions. (Shutterstock)
4. Fax machines: Even Though the first fax device was invented in 1843, it wasn’t commonly used until the 1980s and it used to cost up to $20,000. People were fascinated by the fact that a piece of paper can be transmitted in a matter of seconds from one country to another! I bet people who were introduced to emails as the first form of telecommunicating are fascinated by this fact.
4. Fax machines: Even Though the first fax device was invented in 1843, it wasn’t commonly used until the 1980s and it used to cost up to $20,000. People were fascinated by the fact that a piece of paper can be transmitted in a matter of seconds from one country to another! I bet people who were introduced to emails as the first form of telecommunicating are fascinated by this fact. (Shutterstock)
5. VCRs: Before the term “Let’s Netflix and chill” was invented, people relied on this invention for entertainment. They used to purchase/rent VHS tapes and watch them on their VCRs. If you have no clue what we’re talking about, a VCR is a Video Cassette Recorder, and a VHS is a Video Home System, and your parents’ wedding is most probably saved on of these.
5. VCRs: Before the term “Let’s Netflix and chill” was invented, people relied on this invention for entertainment. They used to purchase/rent VHS tapes and watch them on their VCRs. If you have no clue what we’re talking about, a VCR is a Video Cassette Recorder, and a VHS is a Video Home System, and your parents’ wedding is most probably saved on of these. (Shutterstock)
6. Flip flop phones: Nothing used to be more satisfying than ending a provocative phone call using a flip flop phone. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to experience that, you still have the chance with Nokia 2720.
6. Flip flop phones: Nothing used to be more satisfying than ending a provocative phone call using a flip flop phone. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to experience that, you still have the chance with Nokia 2720. (Shutterstock)
7. PDAs: We’re not referring to Public Display of Affection here. We’re talking about the Personal Digital Assistant that is now being replaced by the one and only invention - the smartphone.
7. PDAs: We’re not referring to Public Display of Affection here. We’re talking about the Personal Digital Assistant that is now being replaced by the one and only invention - the smartphone. (Shutterstock)
8. Beepers: Another device that has been replaced by the smartphone is the beeper. As a matter of fact, the beeper became obsolete before the smartphone was even invented. People stopped using it once the mobile phone was available in stores.
8. Beepers: Another device that has been replaced by the smartphone is the beeper. As a matter of fact, the beeper became obsolete before the smartphone was even invented. People stopped using it once the mobile phone was available in stores. (Shutterstock)
9. Walkman: It’s one of the coolest inventions that we don’t use anymore, isn’t it? If it’s the first time you see this device, this is how people used to enjoy music before iPods and MP3 players were invented. Like the VCR, it needed something to be inserted in it and in this case it was the cassette.
9. Walkman: It’s one of the coolest inventions that we don’t use anymore, isn’t it? If it’s the first time you see this device, this is how people used to enjoy music before iPods and MP3 players were invented. Like the VCR, it needed something to be inserted in it and in this case it was the cassette. (Shutterstock)
Tags:TechnologyTech productsSmartphonesmart devicesAlexaGoogle HomeWalkmanCassettesVCRVHSFax machinebeeperPDAFlip flop phoneCDModemDial-up modemfloppy disk

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