# What jobs no longer exist because of computers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 6, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120 "2003-06-06T16:54:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/1 "2003-06-06T16:54:36Z")
I can think of dozens of examples of jobs that don’t require as many people doing them because computers aid with the job tasks. Banks, for example, can get along with fewer tellers. Gas stations can get along with fewer employees now that we have pay at the pump. Managers can type their own letters instead of sending them to the typing pool or secretaries. But none of these jobs have gone away - there’s just fewer people doing them. What jobs just don’t exist any more, having been totally replaced by computers? ---
**Author:** ![Ill\_Logik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Ill\_Logik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ill_Logik)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/2 "2003-06-06T17:08:29Z")
Typewriter repair man? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/3 "2003-06-06T17:08:59Z")
Keypunch operators (granted, their jobs were created by computers, but they are now pretty much obsolete due to the invention of PCs). ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/4 "2003-06-06T17:13:20Z")
Lead type foundry workers? ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/5 "2003-06-06T17:16:03Z")
Well, in the Manhattan Project, they had row after row of women “calculators” who did mathematical calculations by manipulating punched cards. I suspect similar techniques were used in the Enigma decoding process. I would guess that many engineering firms had departments whose only job was to run things through slide rules. Those jobs are completely gone. Type setting and linotyping is pretty much obsolete. I suspect there are very few draftsmen of the T-square and sharpened pencil variety left. ---
**Author:** ![Fish42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@Fish42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish42)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/6 "2003-06-06T17:19:20Z")
Slide rule manufacturers? ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/7 "2003-06-06T17:20:56Z")
Telephone company operators (okay … that was the rotary phone … but still a machine) ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/8 "2003-06-06T17:28:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fish42 \* > \*\*Slide rule manufacturers? \*\* Abacus manufacturers? ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mike\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_H)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/9 "2003-06-06T17:47:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toadspittle \* > \*\*Telephone company operators (okay … that was the rotary phone … but still a machine) \*\* No i’d say computers have greatly diminished the number of telephone operators that are needed. Even after the invention of the rotary phone, operators were on hand for directory assistance and placing long -distance phone calls. Operators at private firms were on hand to “connect your call” (I can still remember, not so many years ago, maybe 25 years, calling my Dad and having a live operator ask for an extension). Electronic switches, which are essentialy computers, have made direct long distance dialing possible. The internet has made the convenience of 411 almost moot , and PBX systems such as Meridian (also essentially a computer) made the lady who said “How may I direct your call?” out of a job. On a simillar note, many customer assistance operator’s job have been eliminated by computer: both from information available on the Internet as well as automated answering systems (e.g., “Press 1 for TechnoBlob help”). ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/10 "2003-06-06T17:48:57Z")
Slide rule and abacus mfgs, typewriter repair, operators still exist… but albeit in very small numbers. Great question, BTW. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/11 "2003-06-06T17:56:44Z")
Secretaries are not nearly as much in demand I think. In my office we all are expected to draft our own correspondence and I think that is something that would have been done by the secretary pool at one time. ---
**Author:** ![MaryEFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/12 "2003-06-06T17:59:33Z")
Filing clerks. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/13 "2003-06-06T18:01:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*Slide rule and abacus mfgs, typewriter repair, operators still exist… but albeit in very small numbers. > > Great question, BTW. \*\* About 15 years ago a friend of mine, when his son was getting to the pubescent nerd stage, asked if I had any instructions for using a slide rule. The boy had developed an interest in them and dug one up somewhere. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or insulted. Yeah, I had an old Pickett instruction manual I could give him. DD ---
**Author:** ![Pencil\_Pusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Pencil\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pencil_Pusher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/14 "2003-06-06T18:11:06Z")
Well, telephones used to need “switching” operators. I’m sure you’ve seen it in the movies – “Yes, Mr. Jones, I’ll connect you right away” and then plugging a wire from one place to another place on a big board. Switching stations have completely eliminated the need for those people. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/15 "2003-06-06T18:22:09Z")
Elevator operators. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/16 "2003-06-06T18:59:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > \*\*Elevator operators. \*\* The Oregon State Capitol still has one manually operated elevator, staffed by a volunteer. So that job is not yet wholly eliminated. [QUOTE] _Originally posted by MaryEFoo_ \*\* Filing clerks. \*\* I hope that was a joke. The miles of filing cabinets at our state capitol prove that extremely false. As do the paper cuts on my fingers. ☹ – Justin ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/17 "2003-06-06T19:05:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JSexton \* > The Oregon State Capitol still has one manually operated elevator, staffed by a volunteer. So that job is not yet wholly eliminated. If the OP had been rephrased slightly, it probably would make the question easier to answer. Instead of, “What jobs have computers eliminated?” how about “What jobs have computers eliminated the need for?” ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/18 "2003-06-06T19:10:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Slide rule and abacus mfgs, typewriter repair, operators still exist… but albeit in very small numbers. slide rules … that’s like saying that plate mail armor manufacturers still exist in small numbers today. They do, but only for movies and the SCA. In fact, flint knappers still exist in small numbers. If we go by this sort of distinction, then we’d be hard pressed to find any occupation that’s ever totally vanished. Heck, we still have astrology. [http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/2archives.html](http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/2archives.html) > [@](#): > > In these company archives, you can find very detailed info about the rules and models they made, the company and its history. Some rule makers were in business almost 100 years, and their histories and products are fascinating. Some major makers still survive today, **but without any help from slide rules,** as their businesses are now quite different. In the 1960’s, the industry was at its most sophisticated, and there were large slide rule manufacturers all over the world, each with their unique styles and features. **This industry and technology survives today mainly in the form of slide charts, and the hearts of collectors.** And that’s a serious nerd talking there. ---
**Author:** ![bunyip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@bunyip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunyip)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/19 "2003-06-06T20:06:48Z")
Mathematical table calculators. Actually “computers” started to replace peoples jobs in the 19th century, with the Scheutz difference engine.See [http://www.dotpoint.com/xnumber/pic\_scheutz.htm](http://www.dotpoint.com/xnumber/pic_scheutz.htm) Used to calculate astronomical tables by the Dudly observatory in 1858 see [http://www.dudleyobservatory.org/Artifacts/artifacts\_-\_scheutz.htm](http://www.dudleyobservatory.org/Artifacts/artifacts_-_scheutz.htm) And life expectancy tables in the UK. The General Register Office used one to calculate tables for the"English life table" in 1864. ---
**Author:** ![kris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@kris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kris)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120/20 "2003-06-06T21:50:42Z")
1998 saw the last lighthouse keeper in the UK replaced by a computer. So there is one job (in the UK at least) that is completely obsolete. Read more about it here… [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/222046.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/222046.stm) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-no-longer-exist-because-of-computers/180120.md?page=2)