# Older people: amuse me with tales of your hardships in pre-tech days that would seem trivial today **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026 "2011-05-06T23:40:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/141 "2011-05-09T04:33:27Z")
One more thing: When I was in high school I had to write formal term papers a few times. These included full footnotes and bibliographies. I typed them on a regular electric typewriter, since the PC wasn’t around yet. Typing papers with footnotes was a headache students nowadays should be glad every day they don’t have to experience. (If you young whippersnappers want to know what it was like, every time you came to a place in your text where a footnote was required, you had to figure out how many lines the footnote would take up, then use that to adjust the line number where your text should end on the current page. You kept notes on the last line of text on a piece of scratch paper.) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/142 "2011-05-09T04:36:20Z")
In the old days a gas station attendant would pump your gas, check your oil and clean your windows. They only sold gas. When printers first came out they were loud with clicking noise. they were automatic typewriters. Business calculators did about 9 digits and were as big as a desk. They did fairly simple math but you could program them with a punch card. That way you could do simple trig functions. ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/143 "2011-05-09T05:15:06Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > When I was a sophomore in college, I decided to come home during fall break by taking the train. My college was at one end of the rail line, and my home was close to the last stop on the other end of the rail line, and I had made this journey many times before on Friday evenings to come home for the weekends. I’d forgotten train travel. Even in a small country like Denmark, the timetable was a book of several hundred pages, with weird and magical runes to indicate possible connections or trains being divided to go in different directions or “except on Sundays” or roughly one hundred other ways to mess up your travel plans. Planning a trip outside your normal well-trodden path took _skill_. One slip-up, and you’d be stuck at a desolate railroad station for hours. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/144 "2011-05-09T06:02:48Z")
I used to show movies in my science classes- using reels of film and a 16 mm projector. The last term paper I wrote was accomplished using note cards and books in a library. I did use a program on an ancient Apple computer (in '86) called Bank Street Writer to type it up. Eventually, by '92, I had a whole biology course test question bank assembled using that computer. I became very skilled at using the dot matrix printer with ditto sheets to produce the tests. When I changed to a different school in '93, we only had access to xerographic copiers. 'Twas the end of an era. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/145 "2011-05-09T06:30:54Z")
In middle school in Korea, we had no central heating. Just a wood stove. And a ration of wood every day, which was never enough. Since winter is the end of the school year in Korea, we would all tear up the parts of our textbooks we’d already learned (textbooks are bought in Korea, not borrowed) and feed the fire between classes. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/146 "2011-05-09T06:55:27Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > Memograph [Mimeograph](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph). I’m a teacher now and glad for photocopiers, but when I was a wee bairn I still got my test papers this way. They did smell funny, didn’t they. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/147 "2011-05-09T07:02:45Z")
I would rack up $200 - $300 changes per month using Exec-PC in the 80’s and early 90’s. In the 80’s and 90’s it would not be uncommon to pay 100-150 dollars to have several rolls of color film developed. for commercial real estate listings. Oddly the calculator we used in the early 90 the HP12C is still a preferred calculator for commercial real estate use. The computer wish book was “Computer Shopper” magazine. At it’s height in the early 90’s some issues had over 800 pages and weighed several lbs. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/148 "2011-05-09T09:55:14Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Being able to be a shade-tree mechanic. I could change the plugs and points and set the timing by ear. Nowadays, I’m afraid to open the hood for fear I’ll blow out the computer somehow. The good news from your customers’ perspective is that car owners need the services of a mechanic far more rarely than we used to. I think my 2000 Accord needed servicing other than the regular maintenance about twice in the first 150K miles. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/149 "2011-05-09T11:08:47Z")
One word: [Filmstrip](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmstrip). > [@](#): > > The instructor would turn on a film projector that would show the first frame (image) of the filmstrip. The instructor then turned on a 33 RPM record or cassette tape containing the audio material for the filmstrip which included narration. At the appropriate point, a tone would sound, signaling the instructor (or a student volunteer/assistant) to turn a knob, advancing to the next frame. Later, technical improvements allowed the projector to advance the film automatically. Sort of the Stone Age version of PowerPoint, really. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/150 "2011-05-09T11:54:46Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Being able to be a shade-tree mechanic. I could change the plugs and points and set the timing by ear. Nowadays, I’m afraid to open the hood for fear I’ll blow out the computer somehow. Yes, but as a kid born in the middle of the transition, I think it’s awesome. My car has two problems, a wheel speed sensor issue (right front, either the sensor, or the wiring going to the sensor) and the driver’s side O2 sensor, who’s replacement is sitting on my workbench. Troubleshooting consisted of pressing a couple of buttons on the dash, writing down a couple of numbers, and googling, where I discovered all the other people that have had the same problems I have had, and I can lean on their experiences. Likewise, a leaky peer steering pump repair that could have maxed out at $800 to have the dealership look at, cost $2 worth of o-rings, and $40 in hoses and fluids, again thanks to google. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/151 "2011-05-09T12:04:15Z")
When I started my period, back in, I dunno, maybe 1979, can’t remember, and my Mom was completely clueless on feminine hygeine trends, I had the thrills of wearing a[belted](http://www.mum.org/belts.htm)pad to school. Good, good times. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/152 "2011-05-09T12:08:16Z")
If you had cold food and you wanted hot food, you had to put it in a pan and put the pan on the stove and wait for the food to heat. My father never used the microwave once in his life, despite the extremely simple directions I left for him (1. Open door. 2. Put plate on glass tray. 3. Close door.) He thought it would blow up. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/153 "2011-05-09T12:11:40Z")
This thread makes me feel like I’m 90. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/154 "2011-05-09T12:57:31Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > One word: [Filmstrip](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmstrip). > Sort of the Stone Age version of PowerPoint, really. We had a similar thing without the filmstrip. French coursework coordinated with the book. “Ecoutez, et repetez.” “Bla bla bla.” “Tournez la page.” BONG ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/155 "2011-05-09T13:12:49Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > We had a similar thing without the filmstrip. French coursework coordinated with the book. > > “Ecoutez, et repetez.” > > “Bla bla bla.” > > “Tournez la page.” > > BONG Oh my god, that made me physically twitch. The flashbacks, they make me want to claw my brain out… ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/156 "2011-05-09T13:14:00Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > Oh, yeah, that too. I remember it was a big deal when our local supermarket started cashing personal checks for customers. One had to apply for this privilege; approved applicants received a card that would allow them to cash checks at the service desk. > > Before that, if you needed cash for the weekend, you had to make sure to get to your bank before close of business on Friday, speak with a teller, and withdraw your money. Depending on what state you lived in, you might only be able to do business at a particular location of your bank (no branch banking in some places). When I was a child, I was convinced that we were broke because my Mom would say, “We can’t do (whatever) because I don’t have any money,” not understanding that she meant that she was out of cash for the weekend. I’m not even all that old (38) but I remember what a total PITA banking and cash were before about 2000. To get cash, you had to do one of 3 things: 1. Cash a check at the grocery for some amount over your purchase, which was usually limited to something like 20-30 dollars. 2. Go to the bank and make a withdrawal/cash a check. Of course you had to deal with bankers’ hours, and all that. Before the mid-80’s, there were laws against branch banking or something, so you had to go to a particular location for all this crap- none of that “Bank of America” on every corner stuff back then. 3. Find an ATM that not only had money inside, but that was on YOUR bank’s particular network. I distinctly recall being really hacked one time in college because I needed cash and I found a working ATM that was on the Pulse network, and my bank used Cirrus. I was SOL. I also remember that it was a fairly big operation to transfer money between accounts back then- IIRC, it took a savings withdrawal slip and a deposit slip to remove money from savings then to deposit it into the checking account. On top of that, you had to actually keep your check register up to date- all you got was the canceled checks and a statement at the end of the month that you could use to reconcile your register. None of this log in and check your balance and see all your transactions for the past decade business! I also recall that compounding the banking pain was a set of inconsistent rules on what businesses would and wouldn’t take checks, and what they required to be printed vs. what they’d write in, etc… or they just wouldn’t flat-out take checks period. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/157 "2011-05-09T13:38:41Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > We had a similar thing without the filmstrip. French coursework coordinated with the book. > > “Ecoutez, et repetez.” > > “Bla bla bla.” > > “Tournez la page.” > > BONG Wait, wait, did you have Monsieur Thibault? Fuck Monsier Thibault, who is an engineer and lives on the tenth floor at Place D’Italie and has a straw hat in his attic. There was a bombing once at Place D’Italie, and I apologize to any Parisians out there but we cheered. Monsieur Thibault est mort! ETA - Monsieur Thibault came with a filmstrip, though, as I recall. The kind you have to advance yourself. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/158 "2011-05-09T13:47:04Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > One more thing: When I was in high school I had to write formal term papers a few times. These included full footnotes and bibliographies. I typed them on a regular electric typewriter, since the PC wasn’t around yet. Typing papers with footnotes was a headache students nowadays should be glad every day they don’t have to experience. > > (If you young whippersnappers want to know what it was like, every time you came to a place in your text where a footnote was required, you had to figure out how many lines the footnote would take up, then use that to adjust the line number where your text should end on the current page. You kept notes on the last line of text on a piece of scratch paper.) I would type up the footnotes I planned on using formatted with the source info in the format the teacher preferred [what the fuck, you both work for the same university, can’t you please use the same format for documentation?!!] so I knew how much space to leave at the bottom for each footnote I needed to slap in. That way I only had to pay attention to where I was in my rough copy. I love my computer now. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/159 "2011-05-09T13:58:18Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > So, how did we coordinate routes and stops? CBs. Citizens band radio like we were in a convoy in a song I’m too young to have going through my head right now (“and eleven long-haired Sons Of Jesus in a chartreuse microbus!”). We never used real names, opting instead for frankly bizarre handles. My mother was Ditch Witch and my dad was Arizona Snake Rancher. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026/160 "2011-05-09T14:01:53Z")
That’s awesome. Arizona Snake Rancher! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-people-amuse-me-with-tales-of-your-hardships-in-pre-tech-days-that-would-seem-trivial-today/581026.md?page=9)