Things My Kid Won't Understand, Rotary dial telephones Options

[harum-scarum]

So now that I'm expecting my first child (or velociraptor), I've been thinking about a lot of things especially my childhood and how my child's youth will differ from mine. I recently ran across a picture of one of those little black film canisters that we put our film in to be developed back before digital cameras were the norm. The caption said, "One of my students asked why I had such tiny tupperware containers on my desk."
I was thinking my kid won't know what those are either. They also won't know what a VHS tape or a cassette tape is or a number of things I grew up with that are no longer used.
What are some of the things your kid won't know or didn't know?



This post has been edited by harum-scarum: Feb 26 2012, 06:31 PM

[mmi16]

So now that I'm expecting my first child (or velociraptor), I've been thinking about a lot of things especially my childhood and how my child's youth will differ from mine. I recently ran across a picture of one of those little black film canisters that we put our film in to be developed back before digital cameras were the norm. The caption said, "One of my students asked why I had such tiny tupperware containers on my desk."
I was thinking my kid won't know what those are either. They also won't know what a VHS tape or a cassette tape is or a number of things I grew up with that are no longer used.
What are some of the things your kid won't know or didn't know?

What is even scaryier - the things that were commonplace in my youth that are totally unknown to your generation - dialless phones(pick up the phone and the operator answers and places the call) - party line phones - actual flash bulbs for flash photography - B&W TV with at most 3 snowy channels - no interstate highway system.

I hate to hazard a guess the things your child and my grandchildren will comment about when this question comes to them at similar points in their lives.

[Apologistnky]

Things my kid(s) won't (didn't) understand:

Outhouses, no home computer, pay phones and gas stations at nearly every corner, walking to/from school, toll roads, drawing water from a well, morning chores, changing TV channels without a remote, 8-track tapes, gasoline under $1 a gallon, mothers who didn't drive, home-delivered milk, work whistles, only 3 TV networks, typewriters, no microwaves, riding bicycles without helmets, riding in car without mandatory seat belt or child restraints, cutting & chopping winter firewood in summer...just to name a few!

[Maw]

Recording songs off the radio onto a tape. We were pirates long before rappers & gangsters got angry about it.

How about letter writing? I have the most wonderful letters from my husband from when our relationship started over 20 years ago. What is a girl to do nowadays - print the IM and save it???? There is nothing like a note from a person written with their own hand.

[stusson]

Home deliveries/services:

milk & dairy (glass bottles! )

bread

doctor visit

Avon

salesmen of vacuums, household products

(I realize some of this may still happen in parts of the country, but gone for most others)

Misc.:

TV test pattern (nothing on the air overnight!!)

My Dad would once in a while shoot some news video with a reel to reel camera, then in a frenzy, try to get the film on a local bus to take it to a TV station that could develop it and get it on the 11:00 pm news broadcast; similar with still photography to publish in the local newspaper! Of course, now our kids only know "live as it happens". (read - "That was so 27 seconds ago.")

[mmi16]

Cars without seat belts & shoulder straps
Babies riding in cars being carried in their parents arms
Cars without automatic transmissions, power steering & power brakes being available - even as a option.
Cars with the headlight dimmer switch on the floor.

AND SOMEHOW WE STILL SURVIVED

[mmi16]

Girls Gym clothing


Waiting for the B&W TV to warm up


25 Cent at gallon gas - dispensed by a attendent that checked the oil and cleaned the windshield


Detgerents had 'prizes' inside the box


Going 'out' to dinner


A 57 Chevy was THE car to have


Pick up ball games didn't require parents


Medicines didn't have 'child proof' caps


The immortal Howdy Doodie - leader in kids TV


and who could forget the Lone Ranger


who needed a convience store - the milk man delivered


Party line telephones


S&H Green Stamps with your purchases of Gas and Groceries


Mimeograph Machine - making copies before Xerox was invented