18 Things From The 80s We Can No Longer Do
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The 1980s were a time of big hair, neon colors, and exciting new technologies. But many things from that era have vanished from our daily lives. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore some activities that were common in the 80s but are no longer part of our routines today.
Play Arcade Games At The Mall
Arcades were once a popular hangout spot, filled with rows of colorful and noisy game machines. Teenagers and young adults would spend hours playing classics like Pac-Man and Space Invaders. With the rise of home gaming consoles and mobile games, these mall arcades have largely disappeared.
Carry Physical Maps Or Print Directions
Before GPS and smartphones, people relied on physical maps and printed directions to navigate unfamiliar areas. Now, digital mapping tools provide turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates, making paper maps obsolete for most people.
Use Dial-Up Internet
Connecting to the internet once meant enduring the distinctive beeps and whirs of a dial-up modem. These slow connections have been replaced by broadband and fiber-optic internet, offering much faster speeds and constant connectivity.
Check Books Out Using A Card Catalog
Libraries used to have large cabinets filled with index cards to help patrons find books. Now, digital catalogs have replaced this system, allowing users to search for books from any internet-connected device.
Watch Movies On LaserDisc
LaserDiscs were a high-quality alternative to VHS tapes, offering better picture and sound. However, they were quickly replaced by DVDs, Blu-rays, and now streaming services.
Use Typewriters For Documents
Typewriters were once essential for creating documents in offices and homes. Word processors and computers have since taken over, offering more flexibility in editing and formatting.
Listen To Music On A Walkman
The Sony Walkman revolutionized portable music in the 80s. These cassette players have been replaced by digital music players and smartphones, which can store thousands of songs.
Take Pictures With Film Cameras
Film cameras required careful consideration of each shot due to limited exposures per roll. Digital cameras and smartphones have made photography more accessible and instant.
Use Leaded Gasoline
Cars in the 80s often ran on leaded gasoline. Environmental and health concerns led to its phase-out, with unleaded gas and alternative fuels taking its place.
Watch Drive-In Movies
Drive-in theaters were popular for outdoor movie viewing. While some still exist, they’re far less common due to land costs and competition from multiplexes and home entertainment.
Participate In Group Aerobics Classes Like Jazzercise
Jazzercise and similar group aerobics classes were all the rage in the 80s. While group fitness still exists, it has evolved into a wide variety of options beyond the classic 80s aerobics style.
Wear Neon Spandex In Public As Casual Wear
Neon colors and spandex were fashion staples in the 80s. Today’s fashion trends tend to favor more understated styles, with neon relegated to occasional throwback trends or athletic wear.
Go To Video Rental Stores
Video rental stores were once a weekend staple, filled with rows of VHS tapes showcasing the latest movies and TV shows. Families would browse the shelves, selecting their favorite films for movie night. With the rise of streaming services, these stores have become a thing of the past, replaced by the convenience of watching movies from home with just a few clicks.
Use Payphones
Payphones were once common on city streets and in public places, serving as lifelines for communication when away from home. People relied on these coin-operated phones to make calls while out and about. Today, with almost everyone carrying a cell phone, payphones have become obsolete and are rarely seen anymore.
Record Songs From The Radio On Cassette Tapes
Music lovers would eagerly wait for their favorite songs to come on the radio, ready to hit the record button on their cassette players. This practice of creating mixtapes has been replaced by digital music and streaming services. Now, we can create playlists instantly without the need for radio recordings or cassette tapes.
Watch Network TV At Specific Showtimes
Families would gather around the TV at designated times to catch their favorite shows as they aired. This practice has largely disappeared with the rise of on-demand streaming services. Today, we can watch entire seasons of shows whenever we want, without being constrained by network schedules.
Smoke On Airplanes
Smoking on airplanes was once common, with designated smoking sections on many flights. Due to health concerns and regulations, smoking is now strictly prohibited on all flights. This ban has made air travel more pleasant for non-smokers and improved overall air quality in aircraft cabins.
Use A Pager
Pagers, or beepers, were widely used by professionals who needed to stay connected while on the go. These small devices received numeric messages or phone numbers, prompting the user to call back. With the advent of cell phones, pagers have become obsolete, replaced by the more versatile and immediate communication offered by smartphones.
12 Things We Used to Collect That No One Cares About Anymore
12 Things We Used to Collect That No One Cares About Anymore
