How Many of These Old-School Things Have You Done?
Technology has changed our lives in ways that would have been difficult to imagine a few decades ago. Today, we can make video calls, stream almost any song instantly, find directions with GPS, and carry a powerful computer in our pockets.
But remember when things were a little different?
A viral-style checklist asks, “How many of these 20 things have you done?” It includes everything from using a rotary phone and a typewriter to renting a movie from Blockbuster and accessing the internet through dial-up. For anyone who grew up before smartphones and streaming became part of everyday life, this list can bring back some wonderful memories.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Some of these technologies were once completely ordinary.
A rotary phone meant physically turning a dial to call someone. A typewriter meant getting the words right because there was no convenient spell-check button. Taking photographs with a film camera meant waiting for the film to be developed before discovering whether your pictures had actually turned out.
Then there were floppy disks, CDs, cassette tapes and VHS tapes. Each one required a little more patience than the technology we use today. You couldn’t simply tap a screen and instantly jump to any song, movie or photograph.
Cassette tapes were especially memorable. Making a mixtape could take considerable time, and if you wanted to hear a song again, you might have to rewind or fast-forward until you found the right spot. Even old-school technology enthusiasts remember the distinctive experience of manually rewinding a cassette.
Before Everything Was Online
The list also reminds us how much communication and information have changed.
People once relied on phone books, paper maps, postcards, encyclopedias and dictionaries. If you needed information, you couldn’t simply search for it on Google. You might have had to look it up in a reference book or visit a library.
And then came dial-up internet.
For many people, hearing a modem connect to the internet is an unforgettable sound. Getting online could be slow, and the telephone line could be tied up while you were connected. Yet at the time, being able to access the internet from home felt revolutionary.
The Charm of Old Technology
Of course, modern technology is faster, smaller and more convenient. Nobody seriously wants to wait several minutes for a webpage to load when broadband or mobile data is available.
Still, old technology has a certain charm.
A typewriter gives you a physical connection to the words you create. A vinyl record has a tangible presence. A printed photograph can be held, displayed and passed down. Even a rotary phone can remind someone of a particular home, family member or period of life.
That may be one reason vintage technology continues to fascinate people. Older devices are increasingly viewed not simply as obsolete objects, but as reminders of how people lived and communicated.
So, What’s Your Score?
Now comes the fun part.
Look at the 20 items in the original checklist and count how many you have personally experienced:
- Used a rotary phone
- Used a floppy disk
- Used a typewriter
- Taken photos with a film camera
- Listened to music on a CD
- Listened to a cassette tape
- Listened to a vinyl record
- Used a Walkman
- Listened to music on a boombox outside
- Watched a VHS tape
- Sent or received a fax
- Recorded music from radio to cassette
- Rented a movie from Blockbuster
- Accessed the internet by dial-up
- Used a phone book
- Sent a postcard
- Used a paper map for directions
- Owned a dictionary
- Owned an encyclopedia
- Paid with a paper cheque/check
How many did you get?
If you checked 15 or more, congratulations—you’ve got some serious old-school experience! If you checked only a few, don’t worry. Technology moved incredibly quickly, and many of these things disappeared from everyday life within a single generation.
The most interesting part isn’t really the score. It’s the memories behind the items.
Because sometimes, looking at an old cassette tape, hearing the sound of a dial-up modem, or seeing a rotary phone isn’t just about outdated technology. It’s a reminder of a different time—and the people, places and moments we associate with it.
So, how many did you get? Share your score and the one item that brought back the strongest memory.