22 Time-Tested Tech Devices That Are 'Obsolete' But Still Surprisingly Useful

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Feb 6, 2024 7:00 PM EST

Back in Magellan's days, there was a tech device for everything. A sundial could tell you the time, a compass could help you get to where you're going, and an abacus could help you solve algebraic math problems. Imagine telling a 16th-century peasant that a pocket-sized, shining rectangular device could do all of that (and more), while resting in the palm of your hand– Mind-blowing!

We've grown accustomed to a certain quality of life that comes with technological convenience. With phones in our back pocket, a laptop on our desk, and a home monitoring system that we can communicate with just with our voices, we can get lost in the sauce when it comes to new tech. We've come a long way since the Magellan days, but what about the dorky, analog devices that walked so that our Alexa could run? What about the pagers, the calculators, and the landlines that trailblazed a new era of technology? 

Well, if you're curious about a few of the top 'obsolete' tech devices that have stood the test of time, scroll onward for a quick journey down memory lane.

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  • 01
    r/AskReddit. 18 hr. ago Casca_In_Red What "obsolete" technology is still surprisingly useful?
    via Casca_In_Red
  • 02
    tiamy 18h ago Mechanical buttons in car dashboards. I don't know why every control has to be accessed via touch screen. 47.9K 7.9K Share ...
    via tiamy
  • 03
    zerbey 17h ago I've changed the batteries in my calculator once in 30 years. 4 ¹ 11K 1 Share
    via zerbey
  • 04
    OCDimprovingWriter 17h ago Walkie talkies are still very useful, despite cell phones existing with a seemingly similar function. Reply ↑ Share + 2.9K DangerHawk • 12h ago zap_p25 14h ago Radios will always perform the one to many communications tasks better than cell phones. 4713 Reply ↑ Share ...
    via OCDimprovingWriter
  • 05
    cwsjr2323 19h ago . I have oil lamps and boxes of kitchen matches in five rooms. Besides being pretty antiques, they are good for power outages. 4.9K Share
    via cwsjr2323
  • 06
    Significant_Cut_7009 - 16h ago My 1996 kylie minogue calendar can be used this year. Every 28 years the days match up. 663 Share
    via Signifant_Cut_7009
  • 07
    Porkonaplane • 18h ago As a student pilot: maps. so far in my training, we've been using maps as our main source of navigation and gps as a sort of backup. This could just be because I'm a student, and this might change when I'm a licensed pilot.
    via Porkonaplane
  • 08
    Wittgenst.... 21h ago· Edited 19h ago I have a dictaphone I keep by my bed. I sleep poorly and use an old ipod with podcasts and a pillow speaker to try and sleep. Sometime I think of things or remember things or a Podcast inspires something so I record it. Sometimes it is days later I download it and I am really amazed how useful my past self can be, I always thought he was an
    via Wittgenst
  • 09
    Witty_Masterpiece463 19h ago Wired headphones. Zero interference and no need to charge. Just have to find a phone or device that has a jack. 9K R1 Share ...
    via Witty_Masterpiece463
  • 10
    24benson 19h ago Edited 13h ago I still borrow DVDs from my local library. Cheapest streaming service there is, and with infallible quality control. They don't have bad movies. Edit: by quality I mean the movie itself, not the condition of the DVD. Yes, scratched discs are a problem, but since I started giving them a good wipe every time I haven't had an issue.
    via 24benson
  • 11
    AmicoPrime• 21h ago People laugh at me for still holding on to my DVDs and Blu-Rays, especially since I also like to stream, but when The Office gets moved around to a new service for the umpteenth time and they don't want to take five minutes to find a way to pirate it, they'll be grateful for my box set.
    via AmicoPrime
  • 12
    GordaoPreguicoso. 19h ago Pager. Still used by the medical profession because it's more reliable in the hospitals where cellphones get no reception. 1.5K ↑ Share ...
    via GordaoPreguicoso
  • 13
    reachforthetop9 17h ago Microfilm and microfiche. I work at a public library reference department, and every day I'm showing somebody how to use these beauties. Some of our holdings, particularly our microfilmed scrapbooks and defunct newspapers, aren't practically available in any other medium. Not to mention, online newspaper archives are also at the whim and financial survival of the publisher, as we've found out to our chagrin.
    via reachforthetop9
  • 14
    Husbandaru • 18h ago Pagers. After working at a hospital I can say those damns keep you updated faster than smartphones. 357 ↓ Re Share
    via Husbandaru
  • 15
    Simpletruth2022 • 20h ago Mechanical clocks. Power does go out now and then. Reply Share chimininy 18h ago 1.6K . On that note, plus points for clocks that make noise on the hour. It helps me keep track of time passing when I get super absorbed in a task. Reply ↑ Share 30
    via Simpletruth2022
  • 16
    UranusMustHurt 18h ago . I have my grandmother's hand crank meat grinder from Germany. I use it only occasionally to grind actually meat, but if I'm making nut butter, running it. through the meat grinder initially saves a lot of time, as well as wear and tear on the blender.
    via UranusMustHurt
  • 17
    quicksand400. 18h ago Ipod/Mp3/Mp4 player. Phones can work in a similar way, but with their battery capacity, it's better to have a separate device for music or audio books. Physical paper calenders. Nothing beats the feeling of having a physical calender on the wall which you can write on and check in an instant without having to pull out your phone. It's even better if you grew up with physical calenders.
    via quicksand400
  • 18
    Bud10 17h ago Don't know if it counts as technology but double-edged safety razors. The shaves are so much better and of a lot cheaper than the multi blade cartridge razors. You can get a whole box of blades that will last a year for like 10 dollars. Unlike the $30 or more, it costs for like 3 replacement cartridge blades.
    via Bud10
  • 19
    eyebrowshampoo 18h ago. Edited 2h ago ● CDs. Only our most recent car is post CD player and I kind of want to buy an external one. We have a huge CD case and they're so nice on road trips. No signal issues, no queues or playlists to make, better sound quality, just pop one in and enjoy the songs the way the band intended.
    via eyebrowshampoo
  • 20
    Upper_berry360 - 18h ago Landline phones.. I know they still exist but we don't even have one. Sometimes wish I did when battery is dead or issues with "connection." Landline phones are more reliable. 446 Reply ↑ Share ...
    via Upper_berry360
  • 21
    DJ_Baxter_Blaise 17h ago . Printed maps, the number of times my phone has died while exploring a city has made me either memorize a city map or get a printed city map. Reply ↑ Share 197
    via DJ_Baxter_Blaise
  • 22
    Charliekoh 21h ago For me, pen and paper. I prefer to write down stuff rather than type. I don't know why. 486 Reply 1 Share
    via Charliekoh
  • 23
    Slideltln100. 21h ago Books. Actual printed books. 1.4K Reply 1 Share Wittgenstienwasright - 20h ago Audiobooks, but with subtitles? /s 646 Reply + More replies Share AstronautNo234 18h ago Books are like the internet only made of wood
    via Slideltln100
  • 24
    Cheezburger Image 9876448512
    via canva

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