The 1990s Office Gadgets That Are Now Obsolete – How Many Do You Recall?

The Evolution of Office Technology

Modern offices are filled with futuristic gadgets, from treadmill desks to laser mice. However, just 30 years ago, workplaces looked completely different. Many once-essential technologies have now been relegated to the annals of work-life history. A recent survey by Samsung highlights the shift in office technology and the items that have become obsolete.

According to the survey, which involved 2,000 Brits, the floppy disk is the most outdated office staple, despite still being the 'save' icon on most computers. Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK & Ireland, noted that thanks to cutting-edge technology, the modern office looks nothing like it did 25 years ago. Today's professionals don't work in one place or on one schedule, and their tech shouldn't be confined to any restraints either.

Top 10 Obsolete Office Items

1. Floppy Disks
   Once a preferred format for storing files and transferring them between computers, floppy disks were eventually made obsolete by USBs and flash drives. They consist of a flexible circle of plastic coated with magnetic material, enclosed in a hard square case.

2. Fax Machines
   Fax machines, which allowed users to send exact copies of pages using telephone lines, were popular for big-money transactions. However, the rise of digital messaging has rendered them less useful.

3. Rolodexes
   Invented in 1956, Rolodexes featured a rotating card file system to store contacts. Their popularity declined as digital storage became the norm.

4. Correction Fluid
   Originally created for typewriters, correction fluid was widely used before digital tools replaced it. It remains popular in schools but is rarely seen in offices.

5. Landline Phones
   Once a staple in homes and offices, landline phones are now considered obsolete by 24% of Brits. Britain is phasing out traditional landlines in favor of digital systems.

6. Business Card Holders
   With the rise of working from home and online meetings, business cards are becoming obsolete. Less than 15% of workers under 34 have ever used a business card.

7. Sticky Notes as Password Reminders
   Writing passwords on sticky notes is considered a major security risk. These notes can be easily accessed by anyone, exposing sensitive information.

8. Filing Cabinets
   While many still use filing cabinets at home, some Brits think they are obsolete in offices. However, certain industries still rely on physical storage for compliance and sensitive information.

9. Physical Diaries/Planners
   With much of our lives spent online, physical diaries and planners have become a thing of the past.

10. Paper Hole Cutters
    Once a staple in offices, paper hole cutters are now rarely used due to the shift towards digital document management.

Other Retro Devices

In addition to these office staples, other retro devices have also faded into obscurity:

• Fax Machines
  Once a regular feature in offices and homes, fax machines were used to send exact copies of pages via telephone lines. Their decline coincided with the rise of digital messaging.

• Portable CD Players
  Despite the continued sale of CDs, portable CD players have largely disappeared. Smartphones and streaming apps have made them obsolete.

• VHS
  VHS tapes revolutionized home entertainment before the advent of DVDs and streaming. Although they lost the format war to digital discs, they remain nostalgic relics.

• Pagers
  Pagers, known as buzzers or beepers, were early pioneers of wireless communication. They were widely used before the rise of mobile phones and messaging apps.

These devices once played a crucial role in daily life and work, but as technology continues to evolve, they are slowly being replaced by more efficient and convenient alternatives. From pagers to VHS players, many of these beloved retro devices are now relics of a bygone era.