Well, like so many of us, I’ve become dependent on my computer and phone (or mobile device, as they accurately say in some countries). But I lived the first half of my life without a computer, so I know exactly what my life would look like. I’m including cell phones in this post. They’re as much a part of my “computer life” as my laptop is.
Okay, without a phone, you didn’t leave home without change for a phone call. Or money for a cab, if you were on a date and were concerned he might not be the gentleman he appeared to be. For a long time, that call was just a dime. Then it became a quarter–then I’m not sure where it went. It got expensive.
Before there were cell phones, you may have had voice mail, or you may have relied on an answering machine. The latter was a great way to screen calls since it had the caller’s name on it, unless they blocked the number. Can you even block number on a cell phone? I’ve never really looked into it. The other nice thing about answering machines is you could hear your message and pick up the phone if it was someone you wanted to talk to.
But before voice mail or answering machines, you ran to the phone if it rang, because there was no way of knowing who it might be and It Might Be Important. I remember in high school one of my English teachers shocked our class by saying he didn’t always answer his phone when it rang. What if someone needed to reach you? we asked. I don’t remember his answer, or if he even gave one.
Of course there was no texting then, either, so you had to make a call to communicate with someone outside of your home.
My first job out of high school was at a bank. These days everything is done online, but back then, you got paid with a paper check that you had to deposit at a bank. Needless to say, pay days were busy. People would wait an hour in line, and we had fifteen tellers. There were no ATMs, either. The first ones were introduced while I was on that job, and they were game changers. But I don’t remember how you got the cash back, since there was no such thing as a debit card.
If you were sticking to a budget, you might write out checks to pay your bills once a month, then mail them the next day. You needed a lot more stamps back then. If you misplaced a bill, there was no email reminder to pay it and you might get behind in your payments.
Blogs? I guess the closest substitutes for what I’m doing here now would be journals or letters, and that meant hand writing everything. Which brings me to my next point. When I was in high school, I was told not to take typing, because if I knew how to type and my future boss knew this, I’d always be a secretary and could never move up. Through circumstances I won’t describe here, I did take a typing class, but came into the class late in the semester and never caught up. To this day I can’t type particularly well. Thank goodness for spell check.
So, like I said, I know what my life would look like. And I don’t like it.
Image Credits: Typewriter © olegkruglyak; Coins © LONDON2010; Rotary Phone © SRRiadi; Check © HaywireMedia All, stock.adobe.com
My World With Words 
I remember those days. There is no private life anymore since people can reach you at all hours. I took Instagram and Facebook off my phone because they were a deep abyss that I’d fall down. It has surprised me how many times I’ve picked up my phone to look at Instagram.
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I understand completely. It’s easy to get hooked on social media. I’ve still got Facebook on my phone, and I look at it way too much.
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i’m just glad that I got to experience both, Belinda. The simplicity of human contact without the distraction of cell phones was precious. And yet, I appreciate the convenience that cell phones have brought!
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I think about the safety issue. If my car breaks down, I can call for immediate help!
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Absolutely! Remember call boxes on freeways?
And of course GPS is the best. I remember having to figure out a Thomas Brother’s map book!
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Wow, what a walk down memory lane. It would be hard to go back!
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It would indeed! I hope we never have to.
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It’s kind of crazy to think that people used to memorize phone numbers. It’s fascinating how technology has not only changed how we do things, but also how we think about time, convenience, and even patience. Your story captures that shift beautifully. I think about how much mental energy went into every day before technology, such as remembering bills, phone numbers, and directions. Now it feels like we outsource so much of our memory to our devices.
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So sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to your comment! It ended up in my spam folder and I just saw it today. I think your last sentence sums up things so well: “we outsource so much of our memory to our devices.” Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to read my post and leave your thoughts.
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I haven’t thought about the pre-computer/cell/digital device days for a long time, Belinda. You’re right: it’s not just the world that’s changed, but my world, the way I spend my days.
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I wouldn’t want to go back. There are more outlets for creativity, I think, although that may mean the market is flooded!
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Your writing captures that era so perfectly—the stamps, the checks, the phone calls. It’s wild how quickly we’ve all adapted to technology.
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We have, haven’t we? I sometimes feel like I can’t catch up, although for all practical purposes, I have.
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I too hadn’t thought much about the pre-tech boom period in awhile, but this made me think back to when we got our first computer. We were amazed back then. It felt like the ultimate achievement. And yet, we’ve come so far since with so many other devices and platforms. I don’t miss those earlier times, but I am amazed we “survived” them compared to our world now.
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I remember hearing about the Internet and not believing it would be possible to make airline reservations online. Now I can’t imagine doing it any differently. It’s all changing so fast!
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My life during periods of internet reclusiveness is often relaxing, productive, and brings about face to face interactions.
I do appreciate the speed with which the web has delivered information but the dark side could never outweigh life without it.
Blessings,
~Kimberly Mann
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I find that setting aside the Internet from time to time is worthwhile, but then I’m glad I have it. Thanks for reading my post, and I also appreciate your comment!
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Love the post! Things were much simpler back then, but took longer to complete. We have better technology and more convenience. However, there are pros and cons with everything. I get a little discombobulated when information says we need to put our cell phones down. Yet, we need the app to be more mindful. And, we are reading this information on our cell phones and/or computers. I am sure that when my grandkids get older, me telling how I grew up would be like the dinosaur age to them. Computers are part of the first grade curriculum now. My first grader can do things on the computer I didn’t know were available to do. That said, I am grateful for then and now. Thanks for taking us down memory lane.
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Thank you! Yes, there are definitely pros and cons. I have a hard time keeping up with technology. I’m not surprised first graders are so computer savvy! I think going back would be difficult, but there are things I find difficult now.
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