It’s funny how some skills that were once essential have almost entirely faded into obscurity. Back in the day, these abilities were not just useful—they were crucial for getting by. But today? Not so much. Let’s take a nostalgic look at some of the life skills that Baby Boomers perfected, and why they’ve become a relic of the past.
1. Shorthand and Typing Fast
Shorthand was once essential for secretaries and anyone working in an office, allowing them to take fast notes during meetings. While some still use it for specialized jobs, it’s no longer a necessary skill, with dictation software and other technologies making the need for shorthand almost obsolete.
2. Using a Rotary Phone
For Baby Boomers, knowing how to use a rotary phone was a rite of passage. It was an important skill—taking a few extra minutes to dial, not to mention trying to figure out who was calling by the sound of the ring. Now, cell phones with touchscreens and speed dial have made the rotary phone a relic of the past.
3. Reading a Paper Map
Remember when you had to unfold a giant map, trace your route with your finger, and hope you didn’t get lost? Navigating was a true adventure in the 70s and 80s. These days, GPS and Google Maps have made maps almost completely unnecessary, not to mention the fact that you can get live traffic updates on your phone!
4. Canning and Preserving Food
Back in the day, canning and preserving food were essential skills. From homemade jams to pickled vegetables, it was a way to keep food fresh all year long. While you can still buy canned goods, modern refrigeration, freezing techniques, and grocery delivery services have made the need for home canning almost nonexistent.
5. Sewing and Mending Clothes
Before the age of fast fashion, Baby Boomers were masters of sewing. Fixing a hem, replacing a button, or even creating clothes from scratch were valuable skills. Today, we can get a new shirt for less than the cost of a spool of thread, so we tend to throw out clothes that are slightly damaged rather than fix them.
6. Building a Fire from Scratch
Starting a fire with matches and kindling was once an important skill, whether you were camping, heating your house, or simply trying to impress your friends. With modern heating systems and fire-starting gadgets, the need to master this skill has largely disappeared.
7. Developing Film
Before digital cameras, photography was an art—and developing your own film was a part of that process. The darkroom, the chemicals, and the anticipation of seeing your prints for the first time were all part of the magic. But now, with digital cameras and instant access to your photos, developing film is something most people have never experienced.
8. Changing a Tire
Being able to change a flat tire used to be a must-have skill, especially when you were out on a long road trip. Today, cars often come with tire repair kits, and many people just call roadside assistance or use modern air compressors. The art of changing a tire is more of a bygone skill now, unless you’re out in the wilderness with no cell service.
9. Reading the Dew Point
Understanding weather patterns like the dew point used to be essential for farmers and those who spent a lot of time outside. Today, we can get weather forecasts on our phones down to the minute. The need to “read” the weather from nature has dwindled significantly.
10. Writing in Cursive
Cursive handwriting was once taught diligently in schools, and knowing how to sign your name in beautiful script was a sign of education and sophistication. But in today’s world of digital signatures and typed correspondence, cursive has almost become an antiquated skill.
11. Making Homemade Ice Cream
Making ice cream from scratch used to be a summer family activity, with ice cream makers churning away on the porch. With store-bought ice cream so widely available, and the rise of instant ice cream makers, the skill of making ice cream by hand has nearly disappeared.
12. Typing on a Typewriter
Before the days of computers, typing on a manual typewriter was a job skill, a school requirement, and a life skill. The sound of the keys clacking away was something to be proud of. Now, most people can’t even find a typewriter, and typing has moved to touchscreens and computers, where mistakes are easily corrected with a click.
13. Making a Cup of Coffee with a Percolator
Back in the day, coffee percolators were the appliance everyone had in the kitchen. Making coffee was a process—a slow, methodical process—and it felt rewarding when you got that perfect cup. Now, with single-serve coffee makers and automatic drip machines, the percolator is just a piece of nostalgia.
14. Knitting and Crocheting
Knitting and crocheting were practical hobbies, used to make clothing, blankets, and other essentials. These days, most people purchase these items pre-made, and the art of knitting has become more of a craft for relaxation or novelty rather than necessity.
15. Handwriting a Letter
Back in the day, the personal letter was the way to communicate anything of importance. Crafting the perfect letter was an art form—carefully written by hand, sealed with a stamp, and sent off to its recipient. Today, emails and texts have made letter writing nearly obsolete. The time and effort it took to write and wait for a response just doesn’t fit in the fast-paced digital world.
It’s incredible to see how much has changed over the years. Skills that were once key to daily life have faded away as technology and convenience have shifted the way we live. But even if some of these life skills are no longer necessary, they still carry a bit of charm and nostalgia, reminding us of a time when self-reliance and ingenuity were celebrated.
