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The 20th Century was by far the most notable and productive in terms of inventions. The standard of living that humans have enjoyed has increased considerably in the past 100 years or so, thanks to some amazing old-home inventions that the past few generations got to use every day. These just made life so much more simpler and enjoyable; they were nothing less than breakthrough technologies.
We’re gonna take some time off to pay our due respects to some awesome inventions that have become obsolete in today’s world. Mind you, from the time they were invented, to around a couple of decades ago, everyone thought that these, now outdated technologies, would last forever.
7 of the Most Amazing Inventions That Have Become Extinct
The Classic Radio
The transistor Invention was invented in 1947. This made it possible to manufacture the classic transistor radio, which became a household gadget by the 1950s and 1960s. Previous generations will clearly remember using these and turning the knob to find a station of their choice, amid all the static. This relic of a bygone era is still available as a retro item but has largely given way to more sophisticated music players of our time
The Rotary Telephone
Rotary dial technology was first invented at the end of the 19th century. But it was only in the 1920s that rotary telephones became common, and could be seen in most households around the world. This technology was gradually supplemented by the dual-tone push-dial technology in phones. With the advent of wireless phones, and the present technology of smartphones, most people around the world have ditched their rotary telephones and landlines.
The Film Camera
The photographic film came into being towards the turn of the 20th century. Kodak was the first to produce and sell portable cameras. 35mm film cameras became really popular in the 1920s and ruled everyone’s life for over 50 years. The first filmless digital camera came into existence in the mid-1970s, and by the 1990s, everyone was scrambling to get hold of one. And as we all know, the present smartphones have amazing inbuilt cameras, which has eliminated the need for carrying cameras also, at least for amateurs.
The Typewriter
Typewriters became a common tool for all writing and correspondence far back in the 1880s. These were very popular right through the 1970s. The first electronic typewriter came into being in the late 1970s, and some models could even store a little data. The invention of desktop computers literally killed the typewriter, and the last mass-produced ones to be sold were in the year 2009.
The VCR/VHS
VCRs were produced for home use in the late 1970s. In the 1980s and ’90s, renting prerecorded videotapes to watch movies was a common thing all around the world. The VCR could also be used to record programs playing on the TV. The turn of the 21st century saw the DVD player murdering the VCR. Sadly, the DVD didn’t have a long run of its own and has been mostly replaced by online viewing and video format files that can be viewed on computers and TVs.
The Audio Cassette
Audio cassette players became extremely popular with the masses in the 1960s, when they replaced bulky record discs. Audio cassettes were compact, easy to carry around, and could be used to record external audio too. In fact, such was their popularity that, early computers even had cassette recorders installed in them. Compact discs stormed the world markets in the late 1980s, pushing audio cassettes into extinction.
The Portable CD Player
This was one of the greatest and must-have gadgets of the 1990s. It allowed everyone to enjoy music on the go. But just like all the great inventions mentioned above, the CD player had to make way for greater technology, like MP3 players and smartphones.
A special mention should also be given to pagers, which was a thing to have in the 1990s. They revolutionized the way people could keep in touch on the go. At the time, you would not be mistaken to think that this invention was here to stay, only to be outclassed soon enough by cell phones.
This list of things that have become obsolete must have been a real trip down memory lane for most people. While these great inventions have given way to even greater things, one thing we can be sure about is that future generations will eye-roll and smirk at many of the everyday things that we use now. Inventing is an ongoing and never-ending process, and while we speak, great minds and companies are working 24/7 to bring out something new and unique to make everyone’s lives easier, better, convenient, and happier.
Read: 5 Useful Life Hacks Every Person on This Planet Needs to Know
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