Years ago growing up was a much simpler time. You probably won’t recognize these 13 objects that we don’t use anymore. Most have been replaced by new technology, but you’ll see kids today are missing out on some pretty cool stuff.
1. The Credit Card Imprinter
It’s almost impossible to imagine now, but there was a time when every credit card purchase involved calling the customer’s bank. Or, maybe the cashier would flip through a book to see if your numbers were listed as a “bad card.” Either way, they’d have to use one of these to make an impression of your card.
2. Cassette Tapes
You can still buy CDs in stores, but it’s been a while since you could pop a cassette tape into your stereo. This was one of the last formats that you still had to flip over to play the audio on the other side. You always had to keep a pen handy in case you have to re-spool the tape!
3. Film Canisters
Yes, there was a time when you actually had to get your film developed. That meant taking it out to a store (or a Fotomat) and handing it to somebody else so they could turn it into photographs. It seems like a lot of work in an age when pictures go straight from our phones to our Facebook pages!
4. Typewriter Eraser
Typewriter paper was extra thick to hold up to these tough erasers, and the brush was important because little bits of eraser grit could jam your machine.
5. Encyclopedia
Before Google or Wikipedia, you had this huge set of books that took up a whole shelf in your parents’ office. A whole world’s worth of information was stored in here. Things changed pretty fast so it was important to update your set every few years,
6. Green Stamps
All a grocery store or gas station had to do was put up a sign saying “we distribute Green Stamps” and the business would come rolling in. These nifty little collectibles could be saved up for great prizes.
7. Milk Chute
If you live in a neighborhood with older houses, you can still see some of these built into the front of some homes. This was an easy way for the milkman to keep your order safe until you got home.