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30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People’s Childhoods, As Shared Online

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One could think that there is “nothing new under the sun”, referring to some important things that stay the same or change very slowly, yet it would be a mistake to underestimate the effect various, even seemingly minor, alterations have in shaping the human world. These people have demonstrated that a single person lives long enough to witness some quite significant changes by answering one Redditor’s question: “What existed when you were a child that doesn’t exist now?”

Do you remember something from your childhood years that no longer exists or is now rare? Please, share your thoughts in the comments!

More info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Freedom.

Starting around age 10 to around age 14, when I got back from school, nobody knew where I was until dinner, and nobody cared. The only rule was be home before dinner which was about 7:00 PM.

I would just hit my bike, join up with the knot hole gang in the neighborhood, and we would just ride all over the place and go where we wanted and do what we wanted.

Basically, we were the kids from Stranger Things, albeit with a lot less paranormal activity.

No cell phones, not even any pagers.

I'm 46 so this was some 35 years ago.

Seems like it could be 350 years ago now.

Now you almost never see a kid riding anywhere on his bike, and nobody knows their neighbors.

sick_economics , Say Thanks! Show some love to Alexander Nadrilyanski Report

Final score:

210points

RELATED:

#2

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online The freedom to be a kid without being influenced by the internet and having your worst moments immortalised on it.

PckMan , Lukas Report

Final score:

189points

#3

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Actual toy prizes in cereal boxes

Tarantulas_R_Us Report

Final score:

182points

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#4

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online A paper TV Guide that you used to find out when TV shows were going to be aired. Usually it came in the Sunday newspaper. Also newspapers.

ClownfishSoup , Michiel1972 Report

Final score:

156points

#5

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Taking pictures with film cameras and waiting for them to get developed until you could see how bad you looked lol

cinnamonolivia , Pixabay Report

Final score:

147points

#6

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online 9 planets

The solar system used to have 9 planets, but now only has 8. <...> Pluto was just reclassified as a dwarf planet, and we always had dozens of dwarf planets like Ceres and Make-Make.

Iampepeu said:

I know it's silly, but we all sort of collectively love and care for Pluto.

KevinREdinger , ZCH Report

Final score:

144points

#7

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Phone books. Every once in a while one would just show up at our front door.

MauriceSNavarro , Cathy Stanley-Erickson Report

Final score:

140points

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#8

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Card catalogs at the library.

BillowPillow8 , www.flickr.com Report

Final score:

140points

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#9

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Affordable housing

deep_space_rhyme , vu anh Report

Final score:

138points

#10

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Playing outdoors without supervision and just returning home once the sun sets

New_me_old_self , Katherine Hanlon Report

Final score:

130points

#11

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Saturday morning cartoons or weekly morning cartoons.

cqhmo , Vika Glitter Report

Final score:

129points

#12

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online An expectation of being unreachable sometimes. I went to school, and my mom couldn't reach me all the time. She lived. I didn't feel like picking up the phone, no one cared.

No 'Read' messages unanswered causing drama.

Being able to be 'Unplugged' and not getting s**t for it.

Being able to read a physical map and navigate that way.

freakytapir , Godisable Jacob Report

Final score:

124points

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#13

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online A sense of optimism for the future.

bonesawtheater , Xan Griffin Report

Final score:

113points

#14

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online A phone number you could call that just told you the time and weather.

WrongWayCorrigan-361 , Bruno Cantuária Report

Final score:

111points

#15

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Phone booths

WasabiWorth1586 , Mike Bird Report

Final score:

109points

#16

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Privacy. Back in the day, the only way someone could know what I was up to was if they physically followed me. Now, my smartphone does that for them

Little_Addendum8926 , Shane Aldendorff Report

Final score:

95points

#17

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Getting off the phone so someone can use the internet. Haha

GeorgeSAndersona , Jakob Owens Report

Final score:

94points

#18

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Yugoslavia

Ellsworth_Chewie , historicair Report

Final score:

93points

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#19

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Typewriters

Important_Metal_6784 , Min An Report

Final score:

91points

#20

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Blockbuster

SlavicScottie , Charleston's TheDigitel Report

Final score:

87points

#21

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online The high beam switch in your car was on the floor by your left foot.

NorthernH3misphere , PillzGotRekt Report

Final score:

80points

#22

Kmart Blue light specials. JC Pennies was upscale for us, and don't even talk about Macy's where the 1%ers shop.

For you youngin's, a blue light special was they'd roll a cart with a blue police light on a pole, then announce some that an item was on sale over the speakers. It was like a IRL pop up ad.

Those are some fond memories. And also all the racist joke books they'd happily sell an 8 year old. I was an adult before I realized the horrible stuff I read.

TwoStoryLife Report

Final score:

73points

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#23

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online McDonald’s ashtrays

MyNameIsMulva , McDonald's Report

Final score:

69points

#24

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Woolworths

Note: I'm referring to the business in the UK that dissolved in 2008.

InviteAromatic6124 , wiki Report

Final score:

66points

#25

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online White Dog S**t

r3dc4r , Chuck D Report

Final score:

65points

#26

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online TVs with a fine tuning dial and were part of a huge wooden console.

Important_Wallaby376 , Expect Best Report

Final score:

65points

#27

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Cameras that had rolled up film which needed to be developed.

Important_Wallaby376 , Luriko Yamaguchi Report

Final score:

62points

#28

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Restaurant smoking sections

zoesweetbaby , Clem Onojeghuo Report

Final score:

59points

#29

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online # Dialup Connection Screeching Intensifies

thisistheSnydercut , Markus Spiske Report

Final score:

53points

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#30

30 Currently Non-Existent Things That Were Part Of Some People's Childhoods, As Shared Online Cigarette machines.

eatingaclitkat , Mse7201 Report

Final score:

53points

Note: this post originally had 42 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Aura Vyšniauskaitė

Aura is a writer at Bored Panda. She finished her BA in Philosophy at Vilnius University. She lived in Prague for a few years, where she worked in Trade Compliance at DHL Express. Finally, she came back to Vilnius to continue her studies in Philosophy.

Aura is a writer at Bored Panda. She finished her BA in Philosophy at Vilnius University. She lived in Prague for a few years, where she worked in Trade Compliance at DHL Express. Finally, she came back to Vilnius to continue her studies in Philosophy.

Monika Pašukonytė

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

What do you think ?

PFD 10 months ago

Routine, socially accepted sexual assault - just to balance out the nostalgia. My older sister and I were talking about automatic massage chairs, and she said she hates them because their invasive prodding and grabbing is what it felt like being a young woman on the bus in the 1970s.

10points

PolymathNecromancer 10 months ago

This is why I will always try to remanifest things in the present, but NEVER GO BACK

0points

Load More Replies...

Sky Render 10 months ago

Hand-drawn animated movies showing in mainstream cinemas! With the advent of CGI, this has gotten rarer and rarer outside of Japan (and even in Japan the hand-drawn stuff gets supplemented quite a bit with CGI). Used to be that every summer or fall a new Disney animated movie would hit the screens, all done in glorious pre-CGI animation.

7points

Mike F 10 months ago

The whole movie experience. It was a whole day's outing, going to the movie theater. I've said this before, for 35¢ we got a cartoon and 1-2 movies (depended on the movie) and a box of popcorn. It was quite a bike ride to get there, but it was a great time.

3points

Load More Replies...

PolymathNecromancer 10 months ago

Watch a movie called Klaus... it's MF BRILLIANT. You'll NOT be disappointed <3 <3

0points

SadieCat17 (she/her) 10 months ago (edited)

While cgi can be overused in a lot of media, you're pretty silly if you think that 3d disney movies are lazy plug and chug. They're just as much a labor of artistic love as the classics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvTchBdrqdw https://sciencebehindpixar.org/ask-a-pixar-scientist

0points

Linda Lee 10 months ago

Does anyone remember Holly Hobby dolls?

6points

INGI 10 months ago

Of course!

3points

Load More Replies...

Rafis Poulio 10 months ago

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?

1point

TheBlueBitterfly 10 months ago

Yes.

0points

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PFD 10 months ago

Routine, socially accepted sexual assault - just to balance out the nostalgia. My older sister and I were talking about automatic massage chairs, and she said she hates them because their invasive prodding and grabbing is what it felt like being a young woman on the bus in the 1970s.

10points

PolymathNecromancer 10 months ago

This is why I will always try to remanifest things in the present, but NEVER GO BACK

0points

Load More Replies...

Sky Render 10 months ago

Hand-drawn animated movies showing in mainstream cinemas! With the advent of CGI, this has gotten rarer and rarer outside of Japan (and even in Japan the hand-drawn stuff gets supplemented quite a bit with CGI). Used to be that every summer or fall a new Disney animated movie would hit the screens, all done in glorious pre-CGI animation.

7points

Mike F 10 months ago

The whole movie experience. It was a whole day's outing, going to the movie theater. I've said this before, for 35¢ we got a cartoon and 1-2 movies (depended on the movie) and a box of popcorn. It was quite a bike ride to get there, but it was a great time.

3points

Load More Replies...

PolymathNecromancer 10 months ago

Watch a movie called Klaus... it's MF BRILLIANT. You'll NOT be disappointed <3 <3

0points

SadieCat17 (she/her) 10 months ago (edited)

While cgi can be overused in a lot of media, you're pretty silly if you think that 3d disney movies are lazy plug and chug. They're just as much a labor of artistic love as the classics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvTchBdrqdw https://sciencebehindpixar.org/ask-a-pixar-scientist

0points

Linda Lee 10 months ago

Does anyone remember Holly Hobby dolls?

6points

INGI 10 months ago

Of course!

3points

Load More Replies...

Rafis Poulio 10 months ago

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?

1point

TheBlueBitterfly 10 months ago

Yes.

0points

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