# Early inventions that were widespread, then obsolete in a generation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2015, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026 "2015-07-13T07:18:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![moldmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@moldmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moldmonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/141 "2015-07-15T16:29:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Not remotely true. I understand what you’re saying - there’s a large amount of parts shaped such that the robot needs a hand repositioning the part. And, a machinist + mechanical engineer probably had to develop the actual program files that the CNC machine uses. > > Nevertheless, once that step has been done, 20 years later, some guy who hasn’t the slightest clue could take that design file, run it through a few scripts that convert it to the files that newer equipment uses, and print out an instance of the part. More sophisticated equipment will probably need less help. No, no way a person with no knowledge could produce a part with just a program. Yes the program is written but you still have to set-up the tooling and workholding and establish the work and tool offsets. And even with a established program you may have to tweak it due to differences in material or tools. Most machine tools don’t have robots. And those that do those robots have to be set-up as well. CNC is not AI or a Star Trek replicator. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/142 "2015-07-15T16:41:39Z")
> [@naita](#): > > And I used microfilm readers myself for research early in this century. I’m sorry, **naita** , when I read this, I thought **How old IS this person?** 🙂 (I’m having a Senor Moment) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/143 "2015-07-15T17:18:56Z")
[quote=“Leaffan, post:4, topic:725026”] …Pornographic magazines…QUOTE]Pornographic magazines certainly have had a shelf life longer that a single generation. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/144 "2015-07-15T17:26:39Z")
[quote=“madmonk28, post:143, topic:725026”] > [@Leaffan](#): > > …Pornographic magazines…QUOTE]Pornographic magazines certainly have had a shelf life longer that a single generation. - golf clap ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/145 "2015-07-15T18:29:58Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I’m sorry, **naita** , when I read this, I thought **How old IS this person?** 🙂 (I’m having a Senor Moment) Why should I be offended that you can’t tell what century it is? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/146 "2015-07-15T18:42:20Z")
When the power goes out, porn mags will be worth more than gold. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/147 "2015-07-15T20:30:38Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > When the power goes out, porn mags will be worth more than gold. Think of the millions that will be made with porn flip books. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/148 "2015-07-15T20:35:08Z")
OK things just got weird ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/149 "2015-07-16T00:21:27Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I had my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek, if it wasn’t obvious. Sorry, wasn’t (at least not to me). ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/150 "2015-07-16T00:38:20Z")
Slide Rules. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/151 "2015-07-16T00:53:50Z")
Uh, yeah. Sure. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/152 "2015-07-16T01:01:34Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Slide Rules. Doesn’t fit the OP’s question. But I would like to know how to use one. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/153 "2015-07-16T01:37:31Z")
[How to use one](http://sliderulemuseum.com/SR_Course.htm) [Virtual slide rule](http://www.antiquark.com/sliderule/sim/n909es/virtual-n909-es.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/154 "2015-07-16T03:00:59Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Every time I get it out and slice a load of potatoes for a casserole, or grate a pound of cheese, or whatever, I find it’s more hassle than if I’d just gotten out the big Wusthof or block grater or whatever…it didn’t save a lot of time or overall effort, start to finish. One word. Cole slaw. Okay, two words. It would be a major pain in the arse to make enough cole slaw for even one family using a knife or a box grater. My favorite obsolete 20th century inventions are the bathysphere and the zeppelin. I would like one of each, please. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/155 "2015-07-16T03:05:58Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Doesn’t fit the OP’s question. Why not? In my Father’s day, all kids used them in school. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/156 "2015-07-16T03:11:44Z")
> [@Habeed](#): > > You’re taking the reverse argument and saying that you can’t get the exact part and model number Oh, I am not, and stop lying. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/157 "2015-07-16T03:12:49Z")
This is why we can’t have nice things. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/158 "2015-07-16T03:45:21Z")
> [@filmstar-en](#): > > This poses an interesting question. > > Why do things become obsolete? > > We assume it is because technology advances, making it cheaper and easier to do same work for less cost. But, that depends on the economic conditions. > > Electric trams replaced horse-drawn buses around 1900 and lasted until more flexible diesel powered buses became ubiquitous in the 1930s. > > However…trams remained viable in many cities and have been reintroduced in others because they are more efficient than buses when the roads are jammed full of cars. They are a common site in many European cities. > > Big cities like London (south) and Manchester have modern electric trams. But…the diesel bus fleet in London is now migrating to hybrid electric power which leaves the air cleaner. > > Road space available, reliability, flexibility, cost of fuel, pollution. > > Some of these factors change over time and obsolete inventions can become viable again. That would also have to depend on what definition you use to define a technology - taking your example of trams - we have a light (single car) rail network - is that really so different to “trams” as to say trams are gone? It’s just a slightly different way of doing the same thing. And soon - I can imagine that we will see driverless electric buses being trialled - which would strike me as just trams by another name… ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/159 "2015-07-16T04:19:29Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > No way. In an office environment you can brew a cup of your choice in seconds: always fresh. > > It may be more convenient to put a pot of coffee on at your house or cottage if many people are looking for their morning fix, but allowing everyone to just pick their preferred brew (even tea) is way more convenient at all levels. I was at an auto dealership, waiting on my recall repair. They had the Keurig style coffee. Yes, I had my coffee cup in a minute or two. But at the other dealer, with a pot of coffee, I could have had it in seconds! You notice the time, if you’re just standing around. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026/160 "2015-07-16T06:49:13Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Why not? > In my Father’s day, all kids used them in school. > [@](#): > > The Reverend William Oughtred and others developed the slide rule in the 17th century based on the emerging work on logarithms by John Napier. Before the advent of the pocket calculator, it was the most commonly used calculation tool in science and engineering. The use of slide rules continued to grow through the 1950s and 1960s even as digital computing devices were being gradually introduced; but around 1974 the electronic scientific calculator made it largely obsolete[ > **[Slide rule](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_rule)** > > A slide rule is a hand-operated mechanical calculator consisting of slidable rulers for evaluating mathematical operations such as multiplication, division, exponents, roots, logarithms, and trigonometry. It is one of the simplest analog computers. > Slide rules exist in a diverse range of styles and generally appear in a linear, circular or cylindrical form. Slide rules manufactured for specialized fields such as aviation or finance typically feature additional scales that aid in specialized ca... Conversely a generation is about 25 years or so–and this is what the OP asked about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026.md?page=9)