The things that occupied our workspace but don't anymore

The things that occupied our workspace but don't anymore

Once essential office tools like the fax machine, landline, floppy disk, and Rolodex have long since been retired.

A fax machine for sending documents in the office
A fax machine for sending documents in the office/iStock/piyaphun

There was a time when we never questioned the effectiveness of the tools that served their purpose in the office.

The bulky desktop computers, with their floppy disk drives and the familiar dial-up sound when you connected to the internet, or the fax machine that always left us in awe – each played its part in the office ecosystem.

And these technologies all worked together to meet our needs. Whether that was to process, send, or find information, each piece of equipment became a reliable ally in getting the job done.

That is until something better came along and made them obsolete.

via GIPHY

According to research by Unisys Corporation, 44% of workers are frustrated with their employers' slow approach to technology upgrades, citing outdated office tech as a major issue. These workers are also 600% more likely to leave their jobs than those at tech-forward companies.

Take, for example, the fax machine – technology that still seems to linger in some businesses... or does it? 

When filling out a contact information form, we often find ourselves puzzled by the inclusion of a fax number. And let's be honest, if you were handed a fax machine today, would you even know how to use it?

via GIPHY

Taking a trip down memory lane with old technology offers a history lesson that today’s generation could actually benefit from.

One thing we quickly learnt from using older tech is how much more effort it needs compared to today’s seamless, almost effortless systems.

Some might argue that old technology was a waste of time, costing businesses valuable resources. However, the effort it took could have helped us develop patience and slowed down the fast pace of business.

The speed of modern technology seems to have shaped our hurried lifestyle, making us expect things instantly. It’s easy to see this when even a buffering video can quickly test our patience.

What piece of old technology do you miss the most?

Danny Guselli Podcast banner
Danny Guselli Podcast banner/Supplied

HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO

  1. Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
  2. Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
  3. Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836. 
  4. Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606.
  5. Listen to us on Amazon Alexa

Follow us on social media: 

Image courtesy of iStock

For more from East Coast Radio


Show's Stories