Technological advances help to push humanity forward and provide a better quality of life. There are many technological advancements that have changed the world. However, changes happen fast and often these amazing advances become obsolete very quickly. Most people understand the importance of the invention of buggies and carriages, but those items were made obsolete with the advent of the car. Even the steam engine train helped to boost humanity into the future. Here are a variety of these types of technologies that were beneficial advancements in their day but are not obsolete.
1. Fax Machine
Believe it or not, the first fax machine was invented in 1843 by Alexander Bain. It was the electric printing telegraph. From this ingenious invention came the commonly known business machines used to send documents through the telephone line to anyone with a fax machine on the other end. These machines, however, have become an obsolete item that not many people use anymore. Today, most people send documents through the internet where they can be printed on the other end. It is easy to find an online fax program to make this process a breeze.
2. Rolodex
The Rolodex or rolling index is not a major technological advancement, however, it has played a vital roll in businesses throughout the years. Before the Rolodex invention in 1956 by Arnold Neustadter, the contact information was written in an address book or business cards were kept in a box or drawer. The Rolodex allowed businesses and individuals to keep all the contact information of family, clients, customers, employees, and other people in an alphabetized roller to make it easy to find the number. Today, however, this information can be easily kept in a person’s pocket on their cell phone. Various applications allow numbers, addresses, and other information to be conveniently stored for easy access. There are even digital business cards to make it easier to give someone information.
3. Typewriter
Another great invention was the typewriter. This handy device allowed people to type out all their thoughts, documents, books, and other materials on paper with the use of keys that struck an ink ribbon. Over the years, the typewriter went through many changes. Electric and electronic typewriters created easier typing for its users. Eventually, word processors were created to provide a digital method for this work. Once complete, the work could be printed in multiple copies. Now a word processor program is easily available on most computers making typewriters obsolete.
4. Dot-matrix printer
After the typewriter made way for the word processor, printing machines were needed to print the work written on these new machines. The dot matrix printer was created to help with this task. These loud machines would strike the paper with a series of dots that would create the words and images to be printed. Some early models could print an impressive 30 characters per second. It did not take long for these printers to make way for a better quality printer. There are some businesses that still utilize these printers for interoffice documentation. However, laser printers, inkjet printers, and a variety of better quality printing machines have rendered these machines mostly obsolete.
5. Carbon Paper/Mimeograph
Making copies of various documents is a necessary process for individuals and businesses. The process of copying a document was often performed tediously by hand. The mimeograph machine provided a method for creating copies of various documents and images. A stencil would be created, and copies would be made from those stencils. Carbon paper was another option for making copies. The carbon paper would be placed between two sheets of paper. The top paper would be written on and the bottom paper would get a copy created by its impression. Fortunately, these methods soon became obsolete with the advent of copy machines. These wonderful inventions allow multiple copies to be created of documents, images, and other items in black and white or even color.
6. Telegraph
Getting a message to someone across town or across the country often required either making the trip to them or sending a letter through the mail or courier service. The advent of the telegraph provided the means for these messages to be sent almost anywhere another telegraph was available. Messages in Morse Code were sent and deciphered at the other end. This mode of communication quickly became obsolete with the spread of landline telephones. Before long, almost everyone had a telephone in their home to make it easy to contact anyone anywhere in the world. Landline telephones, however, are on the verge of becoming obsolete themselves. With cell phone usage, the average person has a telephone in their pocket to contact anywhere in the world.
7. Record players/ Cassette Players
People have always enjoyed listening to music. Records and record players gave people the ability to have that music in their home whenever they wanted to hear it. The crackly sound of a record is still enjoyed by many for the nostalgia. However, record players were not very portable. Cassette players and cassettes provided a method for people to take their music with them wherever they go. It did not take long for the invention of compact discs. This provided people with a quality recording of their favorite music. Even those beautiful inventions have been put aside due to the digital media easily available. There are devices and even cellphones that can allow anyone to access their favorite music, book, or even show in their hands whenever they wish. This makes many of these musical recordings methods a novelty.
8. Icebox
The icebox is an obsolete item that many people are not even fully aware of its importance at the time. Invented by an American farmer and cabinet maker in 1802 to transport butter to the market, the icebox became a way for many people to preserve food in their homes. The icebox was simply a cabinet that was insulated to help with the storage of perishable food. Ice had to be placed in the box regularly to keep the food cool. It did not take long for the refrigerator to be created. This allowed people the ability to keep their food cool, frozen, and even make ice all from inside their own home. Today, people still use ice boxes in a sense. The cooler used to carry food to picnics and other travels are based on the same idea of the icebox.
9. Celestial Navigation/ Compass
When humans first began exploring, they often used celestial navigation to find their way. The position of the sun, moon, and stars helped them to figure out where to go. Overtime, compasses were invented to help find the right direction. The magnetic north allowed people to know which way to go and where they were. This led to many people creating maps that became more detailed over the years. Even after the advent of vehicles, compasses and maps helped people get where they wanted to go. Today, many of those items are no longer necessary. GPS utilizes satellites to help a person know exactly where they are. They can also use maps and directions found on their vehicle navigation system or even their smartphones. This has made many of these items, as well as getting lost a thing of the past.
10. Libraries
There was a time when the library was the main source of information for most communities. If someone wanted to research something, find an answer, or just find a good book to curl up with, the library was the go-to place to get that information. Even old newspapers and other publications could be found on file at the local library. With the advent of the internet, libraries do not serve the same function as they once did. Today, a person can simply search for whatever they want to know and find it on a website. They can even lookup old newspapers in their own city or cities around the world. Although libraries still hold some benefits for communities, they are no longer the place with all the answers.
There are many wonderful inventions that have helped humans progress throughout time. When a new invention pops up, it may be hard for some to let go of the older version due to comfort and often fear of change. However, progress is necessary to better the world. It is important that room is made for the new items that can make society better and easier for everyone.
