# Things long gone **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338 "2009-08-31T09:34:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/81 "2009-11-06T02:51:41Z")
Speaking of newspapers: the agonizing wait until the next day to find out whether your favorite team won a game. If your favorite team wasn’t local, they might not have shown the score on the local TV news the night of the game. You just had to wait until the next morning when the newspaper came in order to see what the score was. These days, gratification is much more instant, because you can check the internet for a real-time update, even when the game is still in progress. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/82 "2009-11-06T03:25:00Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > How many of us had paper routes here? I was 12 and in the seventh grade when I had mine. Delivered them on my bike every afternoon, and each Saturday morning. > > Afternoon dailies are almost gone too. I delivered the Arkansas Democrat, an afternoon paper on foot at 12, with my motorcycle at thirteen. Dad helped me on Sundays when the damn thing was delivered at 5:00 Ante Meridian. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/83 "2009-11-06T03:35:05Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Named telephone exchanges. > > I learned my first phone number as “LINDEN 4-0497”. It was common when I was a kid for the first two digits of the number to be represented by a word or name. (LI=54 in my case.) > The last I heard of this practice was in the old commercials for Bouchelle Carpet Cleaning with that jingle by a really low-voiced singer: “HUDSON 3-2-7 Hunnnndred.” I wish I could purge that damned jingle from my brain after 40+ years. I’ll still remember it long after I’ve forgotten my own name. > [@tumbleddown](#): > > We had a thread about this a couple of weeks ago. Turns out that you can still dial a number and hear a recording of the time (perhaps not to the second and with a beep) in a lot of places. I know in Pittsburgh we can get the time and temperature together – after a 15 second ad – “courtesy” one of our local electric utilities.." I tried to link to that thread when I posted this but couldn’t locate it. Probably looked on the wrong board. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/84 "2009-11-06T03:37:11Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > How many of us had paper routes here? I was 12 and in the seventh grade when I had mine. Delivered them on my bike every afternoon, and each Saturday morning. I had a variation in that I delievered the _TV Guide_ once a week. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/85 "2009-11-06T03:59:57Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > “At the tone, the time will be eleven eighteen and twenty seconds…BEEP!” And some jokers would scribble (typically on bathroom walls), “For a good time call 358-1212,” which of course would direct them to said recording. See, I even remember our local number for that… ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/86 "2009-11-06T04:54:02Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Diaper services? > > Are there such things as telegrams anymore? I use a diaper service. I love it! I just put a bag of diapers on my front porch once an week and magically it disapears and is replaced with a bag of clean ones. If I am running low I just make a phone call and more arrives. ---
**Author:** ![King\_Bobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@King\_Bobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Bobo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/87 "2009-11-06T05:33:32Z")
Jamboree bags. A coloured paper bag (maybe stapled or glued at the top) with sweets and games included. It cost maybe 3d. Saturday Morning Cinema. Started at about 9.00 a.m. Cost about sixpence. Included a short animated film, a sing-a-long and some sort of feature (Cowboys and Indians were a staple). We used to go to the Gaumont (sp) in Wood Green (London). I also was thrilled beyond belief when my aunt used to come to town and take us to see Norman Wisdom films at the same Gaumont after school. Highlight of my young life. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/88 "2009-11-06T06:24:58Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Those little triangular windows just behind the A-pillar on cars that you could unlock with a twist of a handle and rotate them to provide air flow (as they stuck out, instead of rolling down). [http://americandreamcars.com/1964buickwc052703.htm](http://americandreamcars.com/1964buickwc052703.htm) I thought they were just called quarter vents. They were so easy for a thief to break into it is no wonder they went. When I lived in Bundaberg we didn’t even have radio reception 24 hours. The local station would go off air about 11 pm. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/89 "2009-11-06T13:30:37Z")
Along the same lines as the time (still 303 499 7111 in Colorado) is the use of Long Distance Cards…heck the concept of Long Distance Charges is pretty well over. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/90 "2009-11-06T14:18:06Z")
Used to be, you could drive into Boston (the “Combat Zone”-lower Washington street) and see the gals plying their trade. they would actually come up to your car window!(price negotiation) Damn-this nostalgia is getting to me! I thnik we need to get back to the 1950’s style sex trade.😃 ---
**Author:** ![UncleNito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7cd45c/32.png) [@UncleNito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleNito)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/91 "2009-11-06T20:21:35Z")
I miss card catalogs. If I know exactly what I’m looking for it’s faster than the online variety. I saw several tractor-feed dot-matrix printers in use at the last factory job I had, in 2006 or so. I think they even used greenbar paper. At said factory job, we made music media and DVDs. There was still a cassette line running one shift. That never failed to blow my mind. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a new album released on tape. I can’t say I remember the last time I’ve seen someone use a typewriter. They survived printers, but not PDFs. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/92 "2009-11-06T20:40:32Z")
As long as there are multi-part forms, there’ll be dot-matrix printers. Okidata still makes 'em new: > **[OKI Data Americas](https://www.oki.com/us/printing/index.html)** > > Manufacturer of innovative printer technology, providing end-to-end business support and applications, trusted by businesses throughout North America. ---
**Author:** ![Textual\_Intercourse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Textual\_Intercourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Intercourse)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/93 "2009-11-06T21:06:38Z")
Seltzer delivery trucks/carts and the glass bottles with that elaborate mechanism for dispensing the seltzer. My grandfather’s father did this for a living (cart style) when there were still goats roaming around in parts of Brooklyn. Oddly enough, I read a story in the New York Times not long ago about an older gentlemen that crashed his seltzer delivery truck and seriously injured himself in the process. I think he was the last one… Sad really. ---
**Author:** ![Textual\_Intercourse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Textual\_Intercourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Intercourse)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/94 "2009-11-06T21:07:56Z")
And quarter waters. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/95 "2009-11-06T22:22:17Z")
> [@Textual\_Intercourse](#): > > And quarter waters. What are “Quarter Waters”? ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/96 "2009-11-06T22:29:31Z")
> [@KRC](#): > > Drugstore soda fountains–I haven’t seen those since the mid 70’s. If you go to Cooper, TX, you can get a handmixed Dr. Pepper or Coca Cola at the drug store there. At least as of 2007. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/97 "2009-11-06T22:45:34Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What are “Quarter Waters”? google is your friend > **[Ghetto Snack Hall of Fame - quarter waters](http://harlemhubris.blogspot.com/2008/10/ghetto-snack-hall-of-fame-quarter.html)** > > If you have never seen this, then you are not from a hood environment. Plain and simple. These things were just water with food coloring and... ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/98 "2009-11-06T23:31:13Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > And some jokers would scribble (typically on bathroom walls), “For a good time call 358-1212,” which of course would direct them to said recording. See, I even remember our local number for that… I thought the number was [867-5309.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/867-5309/Jenny)😃 A few years ago I was supervising sime soldiers cleaning out a store room. We found a cabinet full of [amberlith, rubylith](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amberlith), [registration marks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing_registration)and sheets of format shading, not to mention a full set of rapidograph pens. (things used in layout and graphic design in the dark ages) These soldiers were asking what it was used for so I regaled them with tales of how I used to do freelance graphics before being in the army and how we actually had to do layouts with non-repro blue pens, hot wax rollers and how we used to have copyfit type and go to a typesetter. When I explained to them how my first real job during high school was operating a [photostat machine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photostat)they looked at me like I was freaking Peking Man. They couldn’t imagine the process because nowadays any bozo with a few brain cells and a laptop can design a product for print. I have a shitload of zip disks that have pictures that I scanned onto them. Now I need to find an actual zip drive to get my photos back! They sure went away fast, eh? This afternoon we had a conversation about TV shows we all liked in the past. The younger soldiers were unaware that Saturday morning was cartoon day for those of us long in the tooth. When I told one guy that I knew the morning cartoons were over when Soul Train came on he was like “What was Soul Train?”. I wonder if the still sell [Afro Sheen?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHo4UDCABUQ) (Man, my mother used to have one of those blow out kits!) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/99 "2009-11-07T00:40:49Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Used to be, you could drive into Boston (the “Combat Zone”-lower Washington street) and see the gals plying their trade. they would actually come up to your car window!(price negotiation) > Damn-this nostalgia is getting to me! > I thnik we need to get back to the 1950’s style sex trade.😃 Lower Sukhumvit Road is chock-a-block with streetwalkers at night over here, and in recent years there have been plenty during the daytime, too. A favorite pastime of the transvestite ones, to break up the boredom in the daytime, is to accost a farang (Western) male walking with a regular girl – maybe a wife or a girlfriend – and demand to know why he never came back. 😃 There’s a type of candy I recall, colored wafers that came in I think it was a wax-paper tube. I remembered them when I saw “quarter waters” above, because I thought the poster might have meant “quarter wafers,” but no. Does anyone else remember those? Flat discs about the circumference of quarters. They were not flavored in the sense of grape, strawberry etc, but each color did seem to have a distinct taste. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338/100 "2009-11-07T01:04:42Z")
I remember the National Anthem being played on PBS every night, though I don’t think it was snow afterwards…probably a logo or pattern or something. IIRC, the last program was usually Charlie Rose or “Are You Being Served?” Another thing I remember from the PBS of my childhood: That weird thing they’d do in the mornings and afternoons where they’d have footage filmed by some helicopter flying over a desert or a canyon with the time of day counting down in the corner. I always wondered what the hell that was all about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-long-gone/508338.md?page=6)