List of obsolete technology explained

List of obsolete technology should not be confused with List of lost inventions.

This is a list of obsolete technology, superseded by newer technologies. Obsolescence is defined as the "transition from available to unavailable from the manufacturer in accordance with the original specification."[1] Newer technologies can mostly be considered as disruptive innovation. Many older technologies co-exist with newer alternatives, or are still in use due to cost, convenience, personal preference or availability. Some people still use their existing CD collections or their old functional equipment. Some prefer the sound of vinyl records. Specialist or niche applications use technology that may have become commercially obsolete, like the vacuum tube. Historical societies may maintain a working knowledge of old machines.

Most experimental creations and conceptions, particularly in early development of technologies, like that of steam power, have also never been recorded. Technologies that were never successfully developed, may have disappeared completely.[2] These are not contained in the following list. Also not included are spurious inventions - technologies which are generally considered to not possess their claimed capabilities, to be hoaxes, or to not have ever existed in the first place.

List of obsolete technology

Obsolete technologyReplacementStill used for
Bathing machineNo longer required due to changing social standards of morality
HourglassClockTasks where a fixed amount of time can be measured with a low-tech solution: Exposure time tracker in saunas (where electronics might be damaged by the heat or ultraviolet light); retro kitchen timers, board games, other short-term timers.
Manual vacuum cleaner, carpet sweeperElectric vacuum cleanerCarpet sweepers are sometimes used in commercial applications (like movie theatres) where the noise of an electric vacuum is unwelcome.
Primitive fire makingFerrocerium, Match, LighterPracticed as backup survival skills if advanced methods unavailable.
Quill pen, reed pen, dip pen, fountain penBallpoint pen, felt tip pen, brush penCalligraphy
ink drawing; personal preference; acting and historical re-enacting. Fountain pens in particular maintain use as fairly standard writing implements, and are in a state of co-existence, rather than of obsolescence, despite reduced usage.
SundialClockOccasionally seen as a decoration in gardens and other outdoor settings.
OuthouseFlush Toilets, Sanitary sewers, Portable toilet, Chemical toiletRemote or undeveloped locations far from sewage systems.
TelesemePrivate branch exchanges with telephones in every hotel room
Swamp coolerAir conditioningDry climates; lower cost alternative in some climates.
Water clock, incense clock, candle clockClock
Lighting
Incandescent light bulbsFluorescent lamps, cold cathode lamps, high-intensity discharge lamp, LEDsSpecialty purposes, especially for holiday decorations; devices where lower voltages and lumens are preferred or required. Mandatory phase-out of incandescent light bulbs is happening in some countries, usually only for general lighting; LEDs are also gradually replacing compact fluorescent lamps.
Moonlight towersDistributed street lighting
Producing light with fire. Early: candles, torches. Later: kerosene lamps, fuel-based lanterns, and gas lightFlashlights, electric lightsTorches sometimes used for performance purposes. Coleman Lanterns and similar are sometimes used for camping, but battery-powered lanterns are becoming more common. Gas lighting is still used for street lighting in some historic districts, but not indoors due to toxic emissions. Candles are still used for aesthetic purposes, both visual and olfactory. Gas and fuel based lanterns as well as candles may also be used to generate light in addition to flashlights during power outages.
Kitchens and cooking
IceboxRefrigeratorPortable cooler boxes are still used for camping and for transportation of perishables. Also used in low-tech communities.
Open hearth cookingKitchen stoves, ovens, barbecue grills, various small appliancesFrequently done for reasons of flavour (usually specifically ovens); sometimes done during power outages, especially in the absence of gas stoves. Also done in historical recreations and re-enacting.
Toasting fork (for use with open flame to make toast)Toaster, toaster ovenCamping; used in the winter in some houses lacking central heat as a matter of preference.
Turnspit dogSteam power, wind-up power, electrical powerExtinct.
Audiovisual communication
Audio cassette, cassette player, WalkmanCompact disc, MP3, MP3 playerPlaying older or archived recordings.
Analog televisionDigital televisionMandatory digital television transition has been underway around the world since the 2000s.
BetamaxLost a format war to VHSPlaying older or archived recordings.
Cathode ray tubeFlatscreenRetrogaming
some specialty devices.
Portable CD playerMP3 playerPersonal preference.
HD DVDLost format war to Blu-rayPlayback of older or archived recordings.
Dial-up Internet accessBroadband InternetStill used in rural or remote areas.
LaserDiscCompact disks, DVDs, and Blu-rayPlayback of older or archived recordings.
Overhead projector and slide projectorVideo projectorPrimarily for continued use of older materials. Some teachers find the overhead projector more convenient for lectures depending on their teaching style.
Phonograph and phonograph recordAudio cassette, 8 track tape, CD, digital audioUsed to play older or archived recordings. Additionally, records are preferred by some, especially by audiophiles, for their high fidelity. The focus of vinyl revival.
Tin can telephoneElectromagnetic telephoneContinued use as a novelty and for demonstrating acoustic principles.
TelegraphTelephone, teletype, email, Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemRevived as text messaging.
Video cassette recorderDVDs, digital video recordersPlayback of older or archived recordings.
Computing, information storage, and office equipment
BlackBerry physical keyboardssmartphones have keyboards displayed on the touchscreen when necessaryTasks that requires physical keyboards; devices used by the blind, especially those who are also deaf; personal preference.
Carbon paperPhotocopier, cheap printing of multiple copies, carbonless copy paperStill used by some enterprises; in art as a medium or to transfer designs on to certain materials, such as glass or metal; for certain scientific experiments.
Credit card imprinters, with carbon paperMagnetic stripe cards, EMV (chips)
Drafting, manual drawing for creation of blueprintsCAD (Computer Aided Design)Still used where upgrading to CAD would be too costly or time consuming.
Dot-matrix impact printingInkjet printer, laser printerStill used in some enterprises, especially for old carbon paper forms.
FaxesEmail, World Wide WebStill used by some enterprises and sectors.
MimeographPhotocopier, cheap printing of multiple copies
PagerCell phonesStill used in certain industries, especially in the medical industry.
Paper address book, RolodexContact list, electronic address bookPersonal address books remain common according to preference.
Paper card catalogs, edge-notched cardsComputer databasesCard catalogues still preferred by some libraries, usually when complementary to computer databases.
Paper data storage for computers (punch cards, punched tape)Magnetic data storage
Paper ledgerComputerized spreadsheets and databasesUsed as backup and for small scale uses.
Paper map, atlasGPS-aided map softwareUsed as navigational aids in numerous professions; personal preference; navigating in locales where GPS is unreliable or absent.
Personal digital assistant (PDA)Modern smartphones and tablet computers
Phone bookSearch engine and online databaseYellow pages are still distributed for advertising purposes; the general phone book continues to be published and has some continued, albeit greatly reduced, practical function.
Printing pressRotary printing press, computer printingStill used for high-quality printing, especially reproductions of certain historical texts, such as the Gutenberg Bible.
TypewriterWord processorUsed by some writers as less distracting or otherwise personally conducive to the writing process; personal preference; used by some artists as a medium of creation.
AbacusMechanical calculator, digital calculatorStill used as an exercise, learning tool, and to assist improving mental arithmetic; personal preference.
Slide rule, mechanical calculatorDigital calculator, computerStill used as an exercise; mechanical calculators sometimes still used for calculations while travelling at high speeds.
Vacuum tubeTransistorVacuum tubes are still used in microwave ovens, RF communications and radar, high power industrial switching such as in pulsed lasers and generation of x-rays. They have found niche popularity in more expensive guitar amplifiers and hi-fi power amplifiers.
Transport
AirshipsAirplanes, helicopters; Project Loon replaced by cellular networks and land-based Internet servicesAdvertising; adventures; research; long-duration surveillance; tourism.
Boneshaker, penny-farthing bicycleSafety bicycle (early version of the modern bicycle)Historical re-enactment.
Buggy whipAutomobiles do not require themHorse transport: for utility in developing countries and low-tech communities, especially the Amish, and for driving.
CarburetorFuel injectionSmall engine equipment and piston engine aircraft; less frequently used in serviceable antique cars.
Celestial navigation with lunar distance method and dead reckoningMarine chronometer to solve the longitude problemAs an exercise and as backup.
Celestial navigation with sextant and marine chronometerInertial guidance, radio navigation, radar navigation, satellite navigationBackup in case of electronic system failure or jamming, spaceflight where satellite and ground-based systems can't be used.
CobblestoneConcrete, asphaltStill used in some areas, primarily historic districts; driveways.
Draft animals for plows, carriages, light rail vehicles, canal boatsMotorized boats, tractors, steam railroads, electric trolleys, cable cars, horseless carriages (automobiles)Sled dogs in arctic regions, especially of North American and Greenland. Horse-drawn carriages are recreational attractions in some highly developed cities; they continue to be used practically in low-tech communities; historical reenacting. Driving is also done for recreational and athletic ends.
Steam locomotiveDiesel locomotive, electric locomotiveStill used for historical heritage railways.
Steam tractor, or steam Traction engineInternal combustion powered TractorMaintained by preservation societies and for historical demonstrations; steam turbines.
Marine steam engine and steamshipMarine diesel engines, nuclear marine propulsion, aircraft for long-distance passenger travel
Ocean linerAirliners and jet airlinersOnly the is still in service as an ocean liner.
Pack animalsTrucks and vansIn developed countries, only in difficult terrain with no roads (e.g. Grand Canyon) or for tourist purposes; generally used in less developed areas and in low-tech communities.
Roman concreteReinforced concreteUsed for restoration of older structures; also used in combination with modern concretes to create more durable concretes.
Military
Early siege engines (siege towers, battering rams, catapults, ballistae, trebuchets)Artillery, aircraftHistorical reenactments.
Forts, defensive walls, castlesVulnerable to air attack, useless to prevent the advance of aircraftLimited use of underground bunkers and civilian air raid shelters; some limited use as fortifications, depending on the military situation at hand.
GunpowderSmokeless powder, high explosives, dynamite, ANFORecreational shooting; historical reenactments. Also continues to be used outside of its military and industrial applications, most notably in fireworks.
Muzzleloader firearmsBreech-loading weaponsHistorical reenactments.
Spears and other polearmsFirearmsBayonets, spear fishing; used for some sports and in historical reenactments; part of some uniforms, such as the Swiss Guard.
SwordFirearmsIssued for ceremonial purposes to NCOs and upwards; used for some sports and in historical reenactments; part of some uniforms, especially diplomatic ones.
Bow and arrowFirearmsUsed for some sports and in historical reenactments.
Medicine
Anatomical MachinesModern anatomical models
Iron lungVentilatorCheap substitutes in case of shortages during an outbreak or pandemic.
Art
Han purple and Han blueOther pigments, synthetic dyesRestoration; some limited use among artists.

Co-existing technologies

Older technologies substantially co-existing with newer technologies include:

See also

This list is by no means complete. Also look at the following:

Notes and References

  1. IEC 62402:2019 Obsolescence Management - published 15 July 2019 ISBN 978 0 580 96776 4
  2. News: 20 May 1848 . Lost Inventions . 3 . 278 . . 35.