The Evolution of Office Technology
Modern offices are filled with futuristic gadgets, from treadmill desks to laser mice. However, just 30 years ago, workplaces looked completely different. Many once-vital technologies have now been consigned to the annals of work-life history. A recent survey by Samsung has revealed which office gadgets are considered obsolete and which remain in use.
The tech giant surveyed 2,000 Brits about their most-used office gadgets and those that are now outdated. The results showed that the humble floppy disk is the most obsolete office staple, despite still being the ‘save’ icon on most computers. Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK & Ireland, said, “Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the modern office looks nothing like it did 25 years ago. Today’s professionals don’t work in one place or on one schedule, and their tech shouldn’t be confined to any restraints either.”
Top 10 Obsolete Office Items
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Floppy Disks
Floppy disks were once the preferred format for storing files and transferring them between computers. They were eventually made obsolete by USBs and flash drives. The survey found that 63 per cent of Brits now think the floppy disk is obsolete. -
Fax Machines
Fax machines, once a regular feature in offices and even homes, are now considered obsolete by 62 per cent of respondents. They were popular for big-money transactions with tight deadlines, such as house sales or football transfers, but digital messaging has made them less useful. -
Rolodexes
The Rolodex was invented in 1956 and featured a rotating card file system to store contacts. It was popular through the 1990s but became less widespread in the 2000s as digital storage became the norm.
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Correction Fluid
Correction fluid, often sold under the name Tippex, was originally created for typewriters in the 1950s. While it remains popular in schools, it is rarely seen in offices anymore. -
Landline Phones
Once a staple in homes and offices across the UK, landline phones are now considered obsolete by 24 per cent of Brits. Britain is currently phasing out traditional landlines, with many switching to digital systems. -
Business Card Holders
The once-vital business card is on its way to extinction, according to the survey. Less than 15 per cent of workers under 34 have ever used a business card, largely due to the rise of working from home and online meetings. -
Sticky Notes as Password Reminders
Writing passwords on sticky notes is considered a major security risk. It is no surprise that most people see this practice as obsolete. -
Filing Cabinets
While many of us still have filing cabinets at home, many Brits think the storage systems are obsolete in offices. However, some industries still rely on physical storage for compliance and sensitive information. -
Physical Diaries/Planners
With much of our lives now spent online, physical diaries and planners have become a thing of the past. -
Paper Hole Cutters
The humble hole punch rounds out the top 10 list. With most offices now operating online, there’s little need to collect sheets in physical binders or folders.
Other Beloved Retro Devices
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Fax Machine
The iconic fax machine was once a regular feature in offices and even homes up to the 2000s. It allowed users to send an exact copy of a page of text or images to the recipient using a telephone line. -
Portable CD Player
Although not seeing a revival quite like the trendy vinyl, the CD is still widely sold and bought. However, the portable CD player seems to have died out, becoming a rare sighting. -
VHS
VHS, short for video home system, was the dominant format for watching films and TV shows before DVDs, Blu-ray, and streaming. It eventually lost out to digital discs, which have since been largely superseded by video streaming platforms. -
Pager
Pagers, also known as buzzers or beepers, were pioneers in sending and receiving text and voice messages. They were common in classic films of the 1990s and 2000s.