The 1970s office was a world of typewriters, rotary phones, and stacks of paper as far as the eye could see. Back then, technology moved at a slower pace, and the average workplace relied on tools that now seem almost prehistoric. If you worked in an office during that era, you probably remember the sound of a typewriter clicking away, the smell of mimeograph ink, and the frustration of tangled phone cords. These once-essential office supplies were everywhere in the ’70s, but today, they’ve been replaced by faster, more efficient digital solutions.
1. Typewriters
Before computers took over, typewriters were the heart of every office. Whether it was an electric model or an old-school manual version, typing documents required patience and precision. Every mistake meant either starting over or using correction tape, and the sound of clicking keys filled the air in every workplace. Typewriters details a nuanced history of this visually stunning device and the many evolutions it’s undergone.
Now, word processors and computers have made typewriters completely obsolete. No more jammed keys, ink ribbons, or Whiteout—just a smooth, effortless backspace button. While some people still appreciate typewriters for their nostalgia, they’re no longer a practical tool for office work.
2. Carbon Paper
Making copies of documents in the ’70s required slipping a sheet of carbon paper between two regular sheets of paper. Pressing down hard enough would transfer the ink to the second sheet, creating a duplicate. It was a messy process, and if you made a mistake, the whole copy had to be redone. Next Avenue still praises this simple but effective innovation for jus thow handy it still is, even if most office spaces disagree.
Today, printers and digital files have made carbon paper a thing of the past. The idea of manually duplicating documents seems almost laughable when we can send an email with a single click. But for decades, carbon paper was a necessary part of everyday office life.
3. Mimeograph Machines
Long before high-speed copiers, the mimeograph machine was the go-to for making multiple copies. It worked by pressing ink through a stencil, creating a distinct purple-inked page with a strong chemical smell. Schools and offices relied on these machines for newsletters, worksheets, and memos. Of course HowStuffWorks paid special attention to that distinctive smell.
Today, high-speed laser printers and digital files have completely replaced mimeograph machines. No more cranking out copies by hand or dealing with the smell of fresh mimeograph ink. While the scent of a newly printed page might bring back memories, modern office workers have no need for this outdated device.
4. Rolodexes
Every office desk in the ’70s had a Rolodex—a spinning file of business cards and contact information. If you needed to call a client, you flipped through the cards until you found the right number. It was an essential tool for keeping track of contacts before computers took over. Chicago Tribune suggests maybe this item is making a comeback, or at least should.
Now, smartphones and digital contact lists have made the Rolodex completely obsolete. With instant search functions and cloud storage, there’s no need for a bulky card file taking up desk space. While they once symbolized organization and efficiency, Rolodexes are now just office relics.
5. Dictation Machines
Executives in the ’70s often dictated letters and memos into a small recording device, which their secretaries later transcribed. These machines used cassette tapes or mini reels, allowing bosses to record their thoughts on the go. Secretaries had to rewind and replay sections carefully to ensure accuracy.
Voice-to-text software has made dictation machines a thing of the past. Now, executives can simply speak into their phones, and AI-driven programs transcribe everything instantly. The days of rewinding and fast-forwarding tapes just to catch a few words are long gone.
6. Rotary Phones
Before push-button phones and touchscreens, every office had rotary dial phones. Making a call meant sticking your finger into the dial and waiting for it to spin back—one number at a time. If you dialed the wrong number, you had to start the slow process all over again.
Now, cell phones and VoIP services have made rotary phones completely unnecessary. The idea of manually dialing every digit seems painfully slow compared to today’s instant communication. While vintage rotary phones are charming, they’d never survive in a modern office.
7. Ashtrays
Believe it or not, smoking at your desk was perfectly normal in the ’70s. Offices had ashtrays everywhere, and meetings often took place through a haze of cigarette smoke. Whether you smoked or not, you were breathing it in all day.
Today, smoking bans have eliminated ashtrays from the workplace. The idea of lighting up at your desk seems almost unthinkable now. It’s one of the biggest cultural shifts in office life over the past few decades.
8. Liquid Paper (Whiteout)
Mistakes in typed documents were a big deal in the ’70s, which is why Liquid Paper was a lifesaver. A tiny brush let you paint over errors so you could type over them again, though the correction was always a little obvious. If you made too many mistakes, your page started to look like a mess of white splotches.
Now, digital word processing has eliminated the need for Whiteout. A simple backspace key corrects mistakes instantly, without any drying time. While Liquid Paper is still sold for handwritten errors, it’s no longer an office essential.
9. File Cabinets Filled with Paper Records
Every office in the ’70s had rows of bulky metal filing cabinets packed with paperwork. Finding a single document meant digging through endless folders, and misplacing one could lead to hours of frustration. Paper records took up massive amounts of space and required constant organization.
Now, cloud storage and digital files have made physical filing cabinets nearly obsolete. Documents can be searched, shared, and stored instantly without taking up any real space. The only offices that still use paper filing systems are stuck in the past.
10. Letter Openers
Before email, offices ran on physical mail, which meant opening envelopes all day. Letter openers—either simple metal tools or fancier electric ones—were standard on every desk. If you worked in an office, chances were you spent part of your day slicing open envelopes.
Today, most business communication happens digitally, making letter openers far less necessary. While companies still receive mail, it’s nothing like the daily stacks of letters that once flooded offices. The days of meticulously opening mail one envelope at a time are mostly over.
11. Stenography Pads
Before laptops, fast note-taking meant shorthand, and stenography pads were a must for secretaries and reporters. These narrow notepads were designed for rapid writing, filled with cryptic shorthand symbols that only trained stenographers could understand. A good secretary could transcribe an entire meeting at lightning speed.
Now, laptops, tablets, and even voice recording apps have made shorthand writing a lost art. No one needs to write in cryptic symbols when digital devices can capture everything instantly. While stenography still exists in courtrooms, it has mostly disappeared from office life.
12. Punch Clocks
Before digital timekeeping, employees clocked in and out using punch clocks. Workers inserted a card, and the machine stamped the time on it, proving when they arrived and left. If you forgot to punch in, payroll calculations became a nightmare.
Now, electronic systems track hours automatically, with many workplaces using biometric or app-based clock-ins. The physical punch card system has mostly disappeared, along with the stress of remembering to stamp your card correctly. Modern offices have streamlined timekeeping in ways the ’70s workforce could only dream of.
13. Message Pads for Taking Phone Messages
Before voicemail, office workers relied on message pads to take down phone messages by hand. Secretaries would scribble notes and pass them along, often using pads printed with “While You Were Out.” If a call was missed, it was up to the person receiving the message to return it.
Today, voicemail, email, and instant messaging have made handwritten phone messages almost obsolete. There’s no need to rely on paper notes when everything can be sent digitally. While “While You Were Out” message slips still exist, they’re mostly relics of a bygone office era.
The 1970s office was a completely different world, filled with clunky machines, endless stacks of paper, and manual processes that seem painfully slow by today’s standards. While some of these supplies bring back fond memories, they’ve all been replaced by faster, smarter technology. The modern office runs on digital efficiency, leaving behind the days of typewriters, mimeographs, and punch clocks. But for those who worked in the ’70s, these once-essential tools were just part of everyday life.
