Gadget Graveyard: 10 Technologies About to Go Extinct

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
By Mariel Bird

“These technologies are dying out because a more flexible way of doing things now exists to replace them,” explains Mike Knuepfel, a recent Stanford graduate with a degree in product design.

“Bulky CDs are replaced by MP3s and streaming files, newspapers can be read online, you need to carry film for cameras, and a house phone is another thing to worry about. People want to be mobile and flexible.”

In no particular order, here are 10 technological dinosaurs that recently went extinct, or will be before you know it.

1. Landline phones -Wait! I still have mine, but it is an argument at my house.

2. Floppy disks -I haven’t used one for quite a while, have you?

3. Wristwatches – Still wearing one, but it might be another way to save money, rather than replace it.

4. VHS tape and VCRs -We still have this and many many tapes in the basement, occassionally the kids will watch one but wouldn’t allow me to get rid of their favorites from their childhood.

5. Beepers -Never had one, but why now, with cellphones?

6. Film cameras -I still have my old Canon FTB and I am not giving it up!

7. Typewriters -We have one in the garage, an inheritance from parents.

8. The Walkman, Discman and MiniDisc player – don’t have any, all iPods and MP3 players.

9. Dial-up Internet access -thank heaven, no.  Cable offers faster service even in the boonies.

10. DVDs -well, this I find disturbing but the trend is going to digital downloads.

Check out Marial Bird’s story here.