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Remember popping popcorn the old-fashioned way? How about handing your dad his lunchbox and thermos before he went out the door? Before the latest gadgets we used these things and were very content to do so! Things sure have changed and the fact we so rarely use these things anymore is proof of that. Have a look at the things we used before their modern equivalent knocked them out of the way.

1) Thermoses

Via/ Library of Congress

Before travel mugs, we used thermoses. They kept things hot for a lot longer than the mugs most people use today. And they never spilled!

2) Making Popcorn

Via/ Flickr

Before microwave popcorn we used a pan or a popcorn popper. Sometimes we even had Jiffy Pop! There’s nothing quite like homemade popcorn with real butter drizzled over the top!

3) Rabbit Ears

Via/ Flickr

Without rabbit ears we wouldn’t have had any reception! Before streaming and cable boxes, this was all we had to help get a show. And we watched the shows when they were broadcast!

4) Hot Water Bottles

Via/ Flickr

Before electric blankets and central air, we used hot water bottles to keep warm on winter nights. And who can forget being handed one when you weren’t feeling well?

One of the things that is quickly fading is the use of paper products. From address books to recipe cards to phone books. But, we remember when these were the only link to that information you had. And if you lost an important piece of paper, well then, you couldn’t call your friend or make that cake. Simple as that!

5) Address Book

Via/ Flickr

Before smart phones and email we kept physical address books. And we kept photos in our wallets, too!

6) Recipe Cards

Via/ Flickr

We used recipe cards before cooking sites showed up- I still keep mine in a recipe box on my counter top! And my grandmother’s handwritten recipes are some of my most prized possessions.

7) Stove Top Cooking

Via/ Library of Congress

Before microwaves we made everything in the oven or on the stove top. Even TV dinners had to be put in the oven for 25 minutes!

8) Choppers

Image taken at District LLC

Before food processors and blenders we had to chop everything by hand or use a series of tools for different foods (like nut grinders and ice choppers).

Even simple tasks took a little bit longer back then. But, we also didn’t have a product for every single occassion, so we had to make one thing do many things. And that was just fine by us!

9) Brooms

Via/ Shutterstock

Once upon a time everyone had a straw broom, not synthetic!

10) Pre-treat

Via/ Library of Congress

Before pre-treat sprays we used some Fels Naptha and a little elbow grease to get out spots.

11) Fire-King

Via/ Flickr

Before microwave safe dishes we had Fire-King, the original over-proof dishes. There’s nothing today that quite compares to the jadeite color!

12) Movie Times

Via/ Library of Congress

Before the internet we checked the newspaper for movie times or called the theater to find out which movies were playing at which times.

Those are some of the things we used way back when and a few of them we still use because they are just so dang useful! For more memories of things that have changed around the home click here.

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