Technology has changed the way we live and work in many ways. Over the years, machines and computers have taken over tasks that people used to do. This has made our lives easier in many ways, but it has also meant that some jobs have disappeared.
In this blog, I’ll share 25 odd jobs that modern technology has made obsolete. Some of these jobs might sound strange to us now, but they were once important parts of daily life.
Lamplighter
Lamplighters would light and maintain street lamps every evening. They used long poles to light gas lamps and would return in the morning to put them out. This job was important for keeping cities lit at night before electric lights. Automatic electric street lights made this job unnecessary.
Switchboard Operator
Switchboard operators connected phone calls manually using a large board with plugs and sockets. They would ask callers who they wanted to speak to and physically connect the lines. This job was crucial for communication before automated phone systems. Digital technology now handles call routing automatically.
Ice Cutter
Ice cutters harvested ice from frozen lakes and rivers in winter. They would cut large blocks of ice to be stored and used for refrigeration. This was a dangerous but essential job before electric refrigerators were common. Modern freezers and ice makers have replaced the need for natural ice harvesting.
Elevator Operator
Elevator operators controlled the movement of elevators in buildings. They would greet passengers, close the doors, and operate the elevator controls. This job required skill to stop the elevator level with each floor. Automatic elevators with buttons for each floor made this job obsolete.
Pinsetter
Pinsetters worked in bowling alleys, resetting pins after each throw. They would quickly clear fallen pins and set up new ones between bowlers’ turns. This was a fast-paced job that required good reflexes. Automatic pin-setting machines now do this work in modern bowling alleys.
Piano Tuner
Piano tuners adjusted the strings in pianos to make sure they played the right notes. They were needed to keep pianos in tune. Advanced technology and electronic keyboards have reduced the need for tuners.
Hand Loom Weaver
Hand loom weavers made cloth and textiles using manual looms. They wove threads together to create fabrics. Automated looms and machines now produce textiles more quickly.
Telegraph Operator
Telegraph operators sent and received messages using Morse code. They played a crucial role in long-distance communication. The job required fast typing skills and the ability to translate code quickly. Telephones and later, digital communication methods, made this job unnecessary.
Milkman
Milkmen delivered fresh milk to homes early every morning. They would collect empty bottles and leave full ones on doorsteps. This job was typical when most homes didn’t have refrigerators to keep milk fresh. Improved home refrigeration and supermarkets led to the decline of this pr
Typesetter
Typesetters arranged individual letters and symbols to create printed pages. They used special machines to lay out text for newspapers, books, and other printed materials. This job required attention to detail and knowledge of typography. Computer software for desktop publishing has replaced manual typesetting.
Video Store Clerk
Video store clerks helped customers rent movies on VHS tapes or DVDs. They organized shelves, recommended films, and handled returns. This job was common when renting physical copies of movies was popular. Streaming services and digital downloads have made video rental stores nearly extinct.
Travel Agent
Travel agents helped people plan trips and book flights, hotels, and tours. They had access to information about destinations and travel options that wasn’t easily available to the public. This job required good customer service skills and knowledge of geography. Online booking websites have made it easy for people to plan their own travel.
Film Projectionist
Film projectionists operated movie projectors in theaters. They loaded large reels of film and made sure the movie played correctly. This job required technical skills and attention to detail. Digital projectors that can be programmed and run automatically have largely replaced human projectionists.
Chimney Sweep
Chimney sweeps cleaned soot and debris from chimneys to prevent fires. They used special brushes and tools to climb inside chimneys. This was a dirty and sometimes dangerous job. Modern heating systems and less use of fireplaces have reduced the need for regular chimney sweeping.
Phrenologist
Phrenologists claimed to determine a person’s character by feeling bumps on their skull. They would examine people’s heads and give advice based on their findings. This was once considered a scientific profession. Modern understanding of the brain has shown that phrenology is not valid, making this job obsolete.
Leech Collector
Leech collectors gathered leeches from ponds and marshes for medical use. Doctors used leeches for bloodletting, which was thought to cure many illnesses. This job was messy and required patience. Modern medicine has largely abandoned the use of leeches, though they are still used in some specific treatments.
Town Crier
Town criers announced important news and proclamations in public squares. They would ring a bell to get attention and then shout the news loudly. This job was important when many people couldn’t read and there were no newspapers. Radio, television, and the internet have replaced the need for town criers.
Rat Catcher
Rat catchers were hired to control rodent populations in cities and towns. They used traps, poisons, and sometimes trained dogs to catch rats. This job was important for public health in crowded urban areas. Modern pest control methods and better sanitation have made professional rat catchers less necessary.
Coppersmith
Coppersmiths made items from copper, such as pots and tools. They hammered and shaped the metal by hand. Modern factories produce these items more efficiently now.
Log Driver
Log drivers guided felled trees down rivers to sawmills. They used long poles to push logs and prevent jams in the river. This was a dangerous job that required balance and strength. Trucks and trains now transport most logs, making river drives unnecessary.
Streetcar Conductor
Streetcar conductors collected fares and managed passengers on urban trolleys. They would announce stops, help people on and off, and ensure the streetcar ran on schedule. This job required good people skills and knowledge of the city. Automated fare systems and driver-only operations have largely replaced conductors.
Icemen
Icemen delivered large blocks of ice to homes for refrigeration. They would carry heavy ice blocks from their wagons to customers’ iceboxes. This job was crucial before electric refrigerators became common. Modern refrigeration technology has made regular ice deliveries unnecessary for most households.
Daguerreotype Processor
Daguerreotype processors created early photographs on silver-plated copper. They used dangerous chemicals and precise timing to develop images. This job required skill and knowledge of chemistry. Modern photography techniques and digital cameras have made this profession obsolete.
Typewriter Repair Technicians
Typewriter repair technicians fixed and maintained mechanical typewriters. They would clean, adjust, and replace parts to keep these writing machines working. This job required mechanical skill and attention to detail. The widespread adoption of computers and word processors has greatly reduced the need for typewriter repairs.
Water Carrier
Water carriers brought fresh water to homes and businesses before plumbing was common. They would collect water from wells or rivers and deliver it in buckets. This job was crucial in urban areas without easy access to clean water. Modern plumbing systems have eliminated the need for water carriers in most places.
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