The Baby Boomer generation, spanning the years of 1946 to 1964, is renowned for its remarkable resourcefulness, adaptability, and mastery of numerous life skills that were once considered indispensable. However, as time has marched on and technology has evolved, many of these skills still need to be updated.
From using a rotary dial phone to writing in shorthand, here are 16 once-useful life skills that today’s digital age has rendered useless for Baby Boomers.
Using a Phonebook
Several years ago, ComScore discovered that over 50% of the United States population has transitioned from using phone books to conducting online searches. This trend continues to surge alongside the exponential growth of mobile usage.
Dialing a Rotary Phone
Dialing a rotary phone is now considered obsolete in today’s era of touchscreen technology. These phones had a wheel with numbered holes corresponding to digits 1 through 9 and 0.
To dial a number, insert your finger into the corresponding hole, turn the dial until it hits the metal finger stop, and then let it spin back. Today, rotary phones are rare, making the skill of dialing one akin to an arcane art.
Changing a Vacuum Tube in a TV
Replacing vacuum tubes in televisions was once an ordinary skill when tube TVs were prevalent. However, this skill has become obsolete with the advent of modern flat-screen technology.
Changing a Typewriter Ribbon
A recent survey shows 94% of millennials have never laid eyes on a typewriter, let alone possess the know-how to replace a typewriter ribbon. This outdated skill, once considered indispensable for baby boomers, has become utterly redundant in our computer-driven era of digital technology.
Refilling a Fountain Pen
An ink pen has a lot of hassles, such as refilling the barrel( a tedious job) and continuous leakages ( the more you shake it, the more it leaks). Hence, ball and gel pens are now preferred over extravagant ink pens and are used widely.
Reading a Paper Map
Once a survival skill mainly possessed by baby boomers, using a paper map is becoming less relevant with the rise of digital navigation tools. However, it’s not just about finding directions; it involves understanding the topography, which is crucial in outdoor adventures.
Paper maps remain reliable in remote locations or emergencies, needing no power or cellular reception. Despite this, the skill is deemed obsolete due to reliance on digital technology.
Operating a Manual Transmission Car
According to EPA data, in the 1980 model year, 35% of cars launched in the U.S. were equipped with manual transmissions. However, that figure has dramatically dwindled over four decades to a mere 1%.
U.S. News and World Report reported that only 18% of American drivers claim proficiency in stick-shift vehicles. CarMax states that 96% of Americans predominantly opt for automatic transmissions daily.
Rewinding a VHS Tape
Back in the day, this was a critical task after enjoying a rented movie from the local video store. It was a common courtesy and often a store policy to rewind the tape before returning it, leading to the ubiquitous phrase, “Be kind, rewind.” However, this skill has become obsolete in the streaming services and digital media age.
Balancing a Checkbook
The practice of reconciling a checkbook, where you review your records of expenses and compare them to your monthly bank statement, is no longer relevant in today’s times. Why hassle when automated payments and online banking keep tabs on your spending with unrivaled precision?
And that’s not all – many banks provide user-friendly features like online balance tracking or mobile apps for effortless and accurate account monitoring.
Sewing
According to a 2017 study published by The British Heart Foundation, a staggering 57% of British individuals believe that the art of sewing is fading away. Surprisingly, half of the participants admitted to relying on their parents for assistance in mending something.
In the United States, the decline of home economics classes, now known as Family and Consumer Services since 1994, can be attributed to an education system prioritizing standardized testing over hands-on skills, as reported by Business Insider.
Using Encyclopedias
“Modern, 20th-century encyclopedias aren’t worth anything now,” rare book dealer Derek McDonnell told ABC Radio Perth. He added that even charities are now declining them. The reason is quite simple: a more convenient alternative emerged.
Why rely on a library-sized tome to contain information when it can be stored on a cellphone? It’s easier to keep and access (just a quick search away), not to mention it’s free. All it took was a means to organize and structure information, and that’s where Wikipedia stepped in.
Making a Collect Call
Have you ever made a collect call? Well, it’s quickly becoming outdated. Technology has allowed us to communicate without depending on the telephone company.
Today, Skype and other popular services let us make free or low-cost calls from our computers and mobile devices. Platforms like WhatsApp have also changed how we communicate – now, we can instantly send messages across the globe for free!
The Art of Cursive Writing
Cursive script is on the verge of obsolescence. “I remember in first grade at Glebe Street Elementary School in Johnstown, New York, when we practiced penmanship daily. In second grade, we moved on to the next phase of our educational journey – mastering the elegant art of cursive writing.!
Making those curly letters was considered a significant kid achievement, like a rite of passage. But as computers and smartphones took over, handwriting disappeared. Some argue that this traditional milestone needs to be revised in today’s world.”
Developing Photos in a Darkroom
During this discussion, someone shared, “Before the digital age, you had to physically go into a light-tight space with trays of chemicals and use several tools to bring an image from film onto paper. It was tough, but it yielded beautiful results when done correctly.
Nowadays, most photographers rely on computers to enhance photo processing. But if you look closely at the old-fashioned prints, you can appreciate the detail and dedication that went into them. It’s a skill that needs to be passed down, just like handwriting.”
Using a Slide Rule
With the advent of electronic calculators, the slide rule began to fall out of use in the 1960s and 1970s. These calculators were more portable, accurate, and could perform a more comprehensive range of calculations than slide rules. As a result, the slide rule became obsolete and is no longer used in most fields.
Using a Card Catalogue in a Library
Does anybody use the card catalog at the library anymore? Almost all libraries have gone to online databases for their records, which integrate patron and collection information.
With these modern computer systems and library-specific ILS software, librarians can quickly check the status of any book, whether it’s on the shelf, checked out, undergoing repairs, or stored in any other designated location.
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