The 1960s was an era of innovation, but many of the office supplies that once seemed cutting-edge now feel like relics from another world. These tools were the backbone of the workplace, helping employees stay organized and productive, but they’ve since been replaced by more modern, efficient alternatives. Let’s take a nostalgic look back at 14 outdated office supplies from the ’60s that are completely obsolete today.
1. Manual Typewriters
Before computers, manual typewriters were the heart of every office. These clunky machines required a strong touch to press each key, and mistakes meant pulling out a bottle of correction fluid or starting over entirely. The rhythmic clack-clack-ding was the soundtrack of the office, with typists churning out memos, letters, and reports.
While they were durable and got the job done, typewriters became obsolete with the advent of word processors and personal computers. Today, they’re cherished as vintage collectibles, a reminder of an era when office work was a physical and audible endeavor.
2. Mimeograph Machines
Before photocopiers, offices relied on mimeograph machines to make copies. Using a hand-cranked drum and ink-stained stencils, these devices produced duplicate pages that often smelled of fresh ink. The process was messy, and the resulting copies were prone to smudging.
While mimeographs were a marvel in their day, they couldn’t compete with the efficiency of modern copiers. By the 1980s, they were largely phased out, leaving only nostalgic memories of inky hands and faintly scented paper.
3. Carbon Paper
Carbon paper was the go-to tool for making duplicates before copy machines. Placed between sheets of paper, it transferred writing or typing from the top sheet onto the one below. This meant every office worker had to handle the delicate, ink-stained sheets with care.
The advent of photocopying and digital documents made carbon paper unnecessary. Today, it’s a rarity, remembered mainly as a messy but essential part of office life in the mid-20th century.
4. Rotary Desk Phones
Every desk in the ’60s had a rotary phone, with its circular dial and satisfying clicks as each number was entered. These phones were sturdy and reliable, but dialing a long number could be a slow process, and redialing was a chore if you made a mistake.
The rise of touch-tone phones and, later, mobile phones made rotary phones obsolete. Today, they’re more likely to be found in antique stores or as nostalgic decor than in working offices.
5. Dictation Machines
Before smartphones and voice-to-text technology, executives relied on dictation machines to record memos and letters. These devices used magnetic tape or wax cylinders to capture speech, which secretaries would later transcribe on typewriters.
While dictation machines were a status symbol of productivity in the ’60s, digital voice recorders and transcription software have made them irrelevant. They’re a reminder of an era when office communication was a more labor-intensive process.
6. Rolodexes
The Rolodex was the ultimate tool for managing contacts. This rotating file of index cards allowed office workers to keep phone numbers and addresses at their fingertips, flipping through the cards to find the information they needed.
The advent of digital address books and contact management software rendered Rolodexes obsolete. While they’re still iconic symbols of vintage office life, few people rely on them for actual use today.
7. Adding Machines
Adding machines were bulky calculators designed solely for basic arithmetic. Often requiring a roll of receipt paper, they printed out calculations with a satisfying series of mechanical clunks. They were essential for accountants, bookkeepers, and anyone who needed to crunch numbers.
Pocket calculators and spreadsheet software have since made these machines redundant. Today, adding machines are more likely to be conversation pieces than tools of the trade.
8. Desktop Inkwells
Though fountain pens were on their way out by the ’60s, many offices still had inkwells for employees who preferred this classic writing instrument. Inkwells were often built into desks or sold as standalone accessories, keeping ink conveniently at hand.
The widespread adoption of ballpoint pens made inkwells unnecessary. Now, they’re prized by collectors and historians as relics of a more elegant, albeit messier, era of writing.
9. Slide Rules
The slide rule was the calculator of its time, used by engineers, architects, and scientists to perform complex calculations. These long, rectangular tools required skill and practice to operate effectively, but they were an indispensable part of the professional toolkit.
The introduction of electronic calculators in the late ’60s quickly made slide rules obsolete. Today, they’re a curiosity of the pre-digital world, more likely to be displayed as historical artifacts than used in the workplace.
10. File Card Cabinets
Long before cloud storage, physical file card cabinets were essential for organizing information. These small, often metal cabinets housed index cards used to track inventory, manage library systems, or catalog important records.
Digital databases have replaced file card cabinets, making them unnecessary for most modern offices. Their sturdy construction, however, has earned them a second life as retro storage solutions in homes and vintage-inspired spaces.
11. Stenographer Pads
Stenographer pads, with their compact size and vertical orientation, were designed for taking shorthand notes during meetings or dictation. Paired with the skill of shorthand writing, these pads helped secretaries record conversations quickly and accurately.
The decline of shorthand and the rise of audio recording devices have made stenographer pads less common. While they’re still sold for general note-taking, they no longer hold the same iconic status in the workplace.
12. Manual Staplers
Heavy, metal manual staplers were a staple of ’60s offices. These sturdy devices required a firm press to bind papers together and often jammed at the worst possible moments, leaving office workers wrestling with bent staples.
While staplers still exist, modern versions are lighter, easier to use, and less prone to jamming. The hefty manual models of the past are now more likely to be found in antique shops than on office desks.
13. Telex Machines
Before email and fax, Telex machines were used to send typed messages over long distances. They were faster than traditional mail and relied on a network of teleprinters to deliver important communications.
Telex machines were eventually replaced by fax machines and, later, digital communication tools. They’re remembered as an important step in the evolution of instant messaging, but their time has long since passed.
14. Metal Pencil Sharpeners
Every office in the ’60s had a heavy, wall-mounted pencil sharpener. These hand-cranked devices were built to last, producing perfectly pointed pencils with satisfying mechanical precision.
The decline of pencil use in favor of pens and digital tools has made these sharpeners unnecessary. While they’re still a nostalgic favorite for some, their role in the office has largely been relegated to history.
These outdated office supplies remind us of a time when workplaces relied on physical tools and manual effort to get the job done. While they may no longer be practical, they hold a special place in our collective memory, capturing the spirit of a pre-digital era.
