The reality of human existence is that we’ve constantly adapted and embraced innovation, ditching many practices for more efficient and convenient alternatives. Therefore, many skills and activities that were considered essential have gradually faded into obscurity. Here are 15 once-important things people don’t know how to do anymore.
Starting a Fire Without Matches or a Lighter
In ancient times, the ability to start a fire from scratch was a necessary skill for human survival. Men used friction, sunlight, or sparks to kindle tinder and create fire, which is vital for warmth, cooking, and safety. Now, modern conveniences like matches and lighters have relegated traditional fire-starting methods.
Using a Rotary Phone
Making calls with a rotary phone was once the norm before mobile devices, which make them antiques. Rotary phones have a circular dial with numbered holes corresponding to each digit. To make a call, users had to rotate the dial clockwise for each digit, then release it to let it return to its original position.
Using a Fax Machine
At some point in our history, the fax machine was the only way to send documents long distances. You needed to master dialing protocols, paper handling, scanning procedures, and its care. The rise of faster, cheaper digital communication tools like email and scanning apps reduced the use and relevance of fax machines have dwindled.
Reading Maps
Paper maps became less common as technology advanced and digital tools took over. Today, they provide real-time directions, traffic updates, and even alternate routes without manual interpretation. The need to read a map has significantly dwindled thanks to GPS technology and smartphone navigation apps.
Telling Time by a Sundial
Sundials were the primary means of telling time-based on the position of the sun’s shadow, as we haven’t always had clocks and watches. Humans could estimate the time of day by understanding the angles and markings on a sundial. Thanks to our devices and their standardized time zones with far more precise values, they are now considered antiques.
Typing on a Typewriter
Typewriters were the go-to tools for creating written documents a few decades back. Typing required a distinct touch and technique, and users had to advance the paper after each line manually. Modern devices made typewriters extinct with each passing day, relegating them to a nostalgic appeal for enthusiasts and collectors.
Using a Payphone
Before smartphones, people used coins or a calling card to make calls. We used payphones, which involved dialing the number and depositing coins. Today, the prevalence of smartphones makes them useless, and many individuals, especially younger generations, may never know how to operate a pay phone.
Reading Morse Code
Morse code encodes text characters, representing letters, numbers, and punctuation symbols with dots and dashes to a firm sequence. The advent of more advanced technologies means Morse code now holds a mere historical significance rather than its earlier essential use for telegraphy and early radio communication.
Sharpening a Quill Pen and Writing in Cursive
Decades ago, schools still taught their students cursive writing as a standard form of handwriting because it was an essential component of education. They also learned to sharpen the nib, dip it in ink, and write with a steady hand to produce an elegant script. Sadly, innovation has made this skill a thing of the past.
Operating a Dial-up Modem to Access the Internet
In the early days of the Internet, you had to hear the distinctive sounds of a dial-up modem to access the World Wide Web. Now that we have high-speed broadband and fiber-optic connections, the modem, including the skills of troubleshooting and understanding tones, has become obsolete.
Operating Manual Transmission Vehicles
Modern vehicles often feature automatic transmissions, eliminating the need for drivers to shift gears manually. Daily, thousands of new drivers learn exclusively on automatics, which are, in all honesty, easier to operate. Now, manual driving and the art of shifting gears are gradually fading away.
Growing Food
Many people today lack the knowledge and skills to grow the source of our sustenance due to urbanization, reliance on supermarkets, and a fast-paced lifestyle. We miss out on the satisfaction of cultivating our vegetables, fruits, and herbs even when growing food promotes self-sufficiency and healthier eating habits.
Developing Film at Home
In the last century, we developed film at home in darkrooms equipped with chemicals, enlargers, and drying racks. When smartphones and instant photo-sharing platforms came, the demand for home-made film dropped. Even the meticulous process of handling rolls, chemical baths, and photo printing has also become a nostalgic memory.
Write Checks or Balance a Checkbook
Writing checks and balancing a checkbook by hand was once a fundamental aspect of personal finance management. The traditional checkbook has turned into a relic thanks to the widespread adoption of digital banking, online transactions, and mobile apps. We now prefer faster payments and the convenience of real-time tracking.
Memorize Phone Numbers
Modern technology has saved us the chore of remembering numerous numbers, including those of family, friends, and important contacts. We now depend on their smart devices to automatically store and retrieve numbers. Communication and staying connected no longer rely on human memory or a phone book.
