In our hyperconnected, smartphone-driven world, no one under 30 can imagine a life without their beloved internet connection. But for anyone born before 1985, at least part of their childhood was spent devoid of a wifi connection. While today’s youth might assume a technology-starved upbringing was an unhappier one, they could be more wrong. Here are 20 things only people who grew up without the internet will appreciate.
Playing Outside Until Sun Down
For anyone growing up before the days of the internet, weekends and after-school hours were spent playing outside. Instead of scrolling endlessly through social media or being pulled in by blue-light screens, kids were more likely to get some fresh air. Often, they’d stay out as late as dinner time or until dusk.
Early Morning Saturday Cartoons
For kids nowadays, waking up on a Saturday means reaching for their tablet, smartphone, or laptop, using apps such as YouTube to watch their favorite videos. But for children in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, weekend mornings meant TV cartoons. They’d experience the thrill of grabbing their favorite cereal, waking up their siblings, and spending hours watching their favorite animations.
Comic Book Heaven
From satirical pieces to superhero extravaganzas, comic books were the kings of entertainment in pre-internet decades. Children everywhere had their favorite Tintin story, science fiction comic, or superhero tale to keep them occupied on a rainy day.
Tactile Writing Experiences
In schools today, exams and writing tasks are becoming increasingly reliant on the internet and are being typed instead of handwritten. But before technological advances, putting pen, pencil, or crayon to paper wasn’t just the norm, but it was the only way of recording anything.
Using Encyclopedias for Homework
Google provides instant answers to any questions we have, making the internet a perfect tool for completing homework. But it wasn’t always this easy. In the good old days, students had to leaf through gargantuan encyclopedias for answers.
Going to the Library
If they didn’t have an encyclopedia at home, children would head straight to their local library for homework answers. Here, they’d probably run into neighbors and friends looking for a new book to read or seeking some peace. Navigating these labyrinthine rows of bookshelves gave this generation important navigation skills.
Using Paper Maps
Unable to rely on Google for directions, children of the 20th century had to make do with the often confusing paper maps. Hitting the road without GPS wasn’t just normal; it was a necessity. While estimating distances and using a finger to trace a route was difficult, folding the map neatly was beyond frustrating.
Listening to the Radio
Before Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music, the humble radio was the primary conduit for communication and entertainment. Podcasts were better known as radio shows, new music was broadcast on certain channels, and the news reached listeners’ ears like clockwork each morning and evening.
Reading With a Torch
Despite generational divides, everyone can admit that they tried to delay going to sleep as a child. Nowadays, kids attempt to watch videos quietly or play online games without their parents’ knowledge. But in the olden days, reading under the duvet by torchlight was the go-to way to stay up late.
Making Mixtapes
Made popular by DJs in the 1970s, mixtapes kept partygoers dancing for hours and became a cultural phenomenon. Before we were able to create Spotify playlists, mixtapes were the best way to personalize your music collection.
Movie Rental Stores
On October 19th, 1985, the first Blockbuster store opened in Dallas, Texas, and started a nationwide love affair for rentable movies. With no internet to bring unlimited downloadable content, families started their weekends at the local blockbuster store.
Passing Notes in Class
If you wanted to deliver an important message to your classmate before the internet, a pen and some paper were your only chance.
Phone Books
Before the internet and mobile phones, every household had a phone book or telephone directory. The heavy, vibrant Yellow Pages was a must-have item for families, containing important landline numbers and ways to contact businesses.
Outdoor Adventures
Without a screen to stare at, children in the old days had an affinity for outdoor pursuits. Weather permitting, activities such as tree-climbing, cycling, and building forts were classic weekend pastimes.
TV Guides
Before online TV guides and streaming platforms, TV schedules had to be planned in advance. While it took a bit of effort to leaf through a physical TV guide, planning out a week of content was essential. There was also the thrill of waiting for the weekly listings to be delivered.
Checking the Mailbox
With the digital age accelerating, many career paths are set to become obsolete, and the humble postman is one of them. Once upon a time, the thrill of snail mail brought a charm to our communication with others. Instead of waiting mere moments for a text, message, or email, people had to check the mailbox or hound the passing mailman.
Recording Radio Songs
Recording radio songs seems rudimentary nowadays, but it used to be the best way to record a mixtape. Teenagers everywhere were waiting for their favorite songs to air, hitting the record button, and hoping for a clear enough sound.
Film Photography
Before phone cameras became the mode of choice, film photography was the best way to capture a moment in time. The effort taken to compose each shot, plus the excitement of seeing photos develop, made photography seem more like a hobby rather than something to post on social media.
Phone Booths
While out and about, it was impossible to make a call unless you were fortunate enough to find a phone booth. Even if you located a free booth, you needed enough coins to feed the machine. Then, there was the maddening possibility that you’d spend money calling someone who wouldn’t pick up.
Memorizing Phone Numbers
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