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 become relics of the past, according to a recent survey by Samsung.
The tech giant surveyed 2,000 Brits about their most-used office gadgets and those that are now outdated. The results revealed that the humble floppy disk is the most obsolete office staple, despite still being the ‘save’ icon on most computers.
‘Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the modern office looks nothing like it did 25 years ago,’ said Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK & Ireland. ‘Today’s professionals don’t work in one place or on one schedule, and their tech shouldn’t be confined to any restraints either.’
So, how many of these retro office gadgets do you remember?
Top 10 Obsolete Office Items
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Floppy Disks
A floppy disk is a flexible circle of plastic coated with a magnetic material and enclosed in a hard square plastic case. Data is arranged on the surface of the magnetic disk in ‘concentric’ tracks. Once the preferred format for storing files and transferring them between computers, floppy disks were eventually made obsolete by USBs and flash drives.
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Fax Machines
The iconic fax machine was once a regular feature in offices and even homes up to the 2000s. Fax machines work by allowing users to send an exact copy (a ‘facsimile’) of a page of text or images to the recipient using a telephone line. They were popular for big-money transactions with tight deadlines, such as house sales or football transfers. However, the rise of digital messaging has made the fax machine less useful. -
Rolodexes
The Rolodex was invented in 1956 and featured a rotating card file system to store contacts. It was popular through the 1990s but became less widespread in the 2000s as digital storage became the norm. -
Correction Fluid
Correction fluid, often sold under the name Tippex, was originally created for typewriters in the 1950s. While the first version was a correction fluid, Tippex expanded its range in the early 1990s to include correction tape, a correction pen, and a foam applicator. These products remain popular in schools but are rarely seen in offices. -
Landline Phones
Once a staple in homes and offices across the UK, the landline phone is now considered obsolete by 24 per cent of Brits. Britain is currently phasing out traditional landlines, with homes and businesses being offered the opportunity to switch to a digital system. -
Business Card Holders
The once-vital business card is on its way to extinction, according to Samsung’s survey. Less than 15 per cent of workers under 34 have ever used a business card, with the rise of working from home and online meetings largely to blame. -
Sticky Notes as Password Reminders
Writing your password on a sticky note is a major security risk. A post-it note with your password can be easily seen and accessed by anyone passing by, potentially exposing both workplace and personal data and finances. -
Filing Cabinets
While many of us still have filing cabinets at home, it seems many Brits think the storage systems are obsolete in offices. However, filing cabinets have ‘far from vanished’, particularly in offices working with sensitive information or requiring a paper trail for compliance. -
Physical Diaries/Planners
With much of our lives now spent online, physical diaries and planners have become a thing of the past. -
Paper Hole Cutters
The humble hole punch rounds out the top 10 list. Although the original patent for the multi-hole punch was filed back in 1886, there’s little need to collect sheets in physical binders or folders in today’s digital world.
Other Beloved Retro Devices
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Fax Machine
The iconic fax machine was once a regular feature in offices and even homes up to the 2000s. However, the rise of digital messaging has made the fax machine less useful. -
Portable CD Player
Despite being easily able to fit inside a bag or loose pocket, the portable CD player seems to have died out. The proliferation of smartphones and apps offering extensive music libraries may be to blame. -
VHS
VHS, short for video home system, was the dominant format for watching films and TV shows before the existence of DVDs, Blu-ray, and streaming. Although it eventually lost out to digital discs, it remains a nostalgic item for many. -
Pager
Pagers were pioneers in sending and receiving text and voice messages. One-way pagers only receive messages, while response pagers and two-way pagers also acknowledge and reply to messages. Pagers made appearances in classic films of the 1990s and 2000s.
