My father used to tell me how different life was when he was younger. One thing that never left my mind was how they used to memorize phone numbers. My dad can still rattle off a dozen numbers for friends, family, and even work contacts without any problem. Sounds impressive, right? However, with all the new features in our mobile phones, we no longer need to stuff our minds with lots of contact numbers. There are so many other skills Boomers grew up with that we barely use anymore. Here are 11 of them.
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Memorizing Facts for Trivia
Trivia used to be a game of memory and book savvy. There was no Google search if you didn’t know the answer. Boomers read encyclopedias for hours or remembered information in school. We’re so spoiled with the internet now that trivia skills don’t require as much effort.
Using a Map or Atlas
Journeys by road back then needed real map reading. You had to stretch out a huge map, decide where to go & make sure you didn’t run over a corner. You could not get lost; you had to pull over and ask — no GPS to guide you around. A couple of months back, I tried to read a map while traveling in Vietnam, and it was like reading a code. And today, all that work is handled by apps such as Google Maps, so paper maps are no longer a necessity.
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Balancing a Checkbook
All Boomers were taught how to maintain their checkbook – to record each deposit, withdrawal & cheque drawn. It was how to have your money in order and never run out of money. In the age of online banking, it’s just overkill. I don’t know, I can’t imagine sitting down with a calculator and a journal — (I find it so boring!)
Sewing and Mending Clothes
My mom would stitch a button or patch a rip in no time and she’d do it right. Clothing was durable then, so it made good sense to mend and reuse them. Nowadays it is easier (and sometimes cheaper) to replace something. You can easily buy a sewing kit even today, but they’re for emergencies rather than everyday use.
Using a Card Catalog in the Library
Finding a book at the library used to require looking up a card catalog, a sort of file cupboard. You’d search a book by name, by title, by topic, write down where it was & track it down. Now all libraries are fully digital, and you can search for books from your phone or computer.
Start a Fire Without a Lighter
Boomers knew how to start a fire the old-fashioned way – with matches, flint, even rubbing sticks together. It was a survival technique for hiking and emergency situations. Now, most of us just pick up a lighter or hit a button on the stove.
Fixing Basic Car Issues
Changing your own oil, replacing a tire, or even tweaking an engine was pretty common back then. Back then, cars were simpler & most issues could be resolved with a simple toolkit. Cars these days are so loaded with gadgets and sensors that a small glitch could cost you a trip to the mechanic.
Writing Letters by Hand
Boomers used to send longhand letters on birthdays, holidays, or simply to check in. They’d pick out stationery, write a message and mail it in. Nobody is writing letters these days. Texting & emailing now only takes a fraction of a second!
Memorizing Phone Numbers
Back then, knowing telephone numbers by heart was essential. There were no smartphones to keep phone numbers saved, and if you couldn’t remember anyone’s number, it was a no-go. My parents recorded their numbers in little address books, but still knew the most important ones by heart.
Developing Film and Printing Photos
Back then, you’d load film into a camera, snap your shots carefully (because film wasn’t cheap), and then wait for them to be developed. Today, digital cameras and cell phones make photography instantaneous and everyone’s cup of tea.
Dialing on a Rotary Phone
The rotary phone took its time. You had to spin back the dial a few times at each number and wait for it to turn again before you moved on. If you got something wrong, you had to hang up and rewind. We now just swipe a screen or say a name and our phones do the rest.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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