I realize I should be a little more precise about what I wrote here: Some city administrations are actively trying to restore or retain SRO units (basically, boarding houses) because they realize they are needed by the homeless population. However, the reason the number of units dropped in the first place is usually a combination of stricter regulations and profit motives.
Edited to add: Or, what Tim@T-Bonham.net said.
And vaudeville performers. I recall a scene from Yankee Doodle Dandy – the Four Cohans are staying at a boarding house with a sign that says “Special Rates for Those in the Theatrical Profession.”
Vaudeville was pretty much killed off by radio and film, but I’m not sure that counts as “automation” within the meaning of the OP. Perhaps it is an instance of “technological unemployment” more broadly defined.
That’s already happening, in Australia Rio Tinto have crew-less iron ore trains operating in the Pilbara
Newpaper boys/girls seem to have disappeared. You can’t get a paper delivered early every morning like you could 20 years ago. (in the UK)
That’s presumably due to lack of demand as not many people buy physical newspapers now they can get the news off t’net. I don’t know if that counts as automation…
Boys and girls yes, but there are guys who drive around and deliver papers early. My NY Times comes by 6 am.
There are automated ferries in Norway. The Captain’s only function is to push the button to say “go to the next port”. Although I’m sure they have other crew to make sure all the cars are positioned right, etc.
You just switched over to that? We’ve had that for about 20 years now.