10 Once-Popular School Supplies That No Longer Exist
These school supplies were once classroom staples but have since faded into history.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Some school supplies were so common that students could not imagine a classroom without them. Over time, changing technology and new educational trends made these items obsolete. Many of these once-popular supplies are now just a memory, replaced by modern alternatives. Here are some school supplies that used to be everywhere but are no longer found in today’s classrooms.
1. Cassette Tape Recorders
Joe Haupt on Wikimedia Commons
Before digital recorders, students used cassette tape recorders to capture lectures or play educational tapes. These chunky devices were a classroom essential, especially for language lessons. As digital audio took over, cassette recorders became a relic of the past.
2. Chalk and Chalkboards
NEOSiAM 2024+ on Pexels
Once a classroom necessity, chalk and chalkboards were used for lessons, announcements, and even impromptu doodles. Whiteboards and digital screens eventually took over, leaving chalkboards in the past. Some schools still use them, but they are far less common than before.
3. Index Card Rolodexes
BOOM 💥 on Pexels
Teachers and students once relied on Rolodexes filled with index cards to store contacts and notes. These bulky organizers sat on desks before digital storage took over. Today, most people keep everything on their phones or computers.
4. Manual Pencil Sharpeners
Ron Lach on Pexels
Mounted on classroom walls, these hand-cranked sharpeners were a daily part of student life. Electric and mechanical pencil sharpeners eventually replaced them, making the old versions disappear. Today, many students use mechanical pencils instead.
5. Abacus
Syced on Wikimedia Commons
Once a must-have for math lessons, the abacus helped students learn basic calculations. Calculators and digital tools made this counting device unnecessary in most classrooms. Some schools still use it for early math education, but it is no longer common.
6. Teacher’s Rubber Stamps
Iswoar on Wikimedia Commons
Teachers used rubber stamps with ink pads to mark assignments with phrases like “Great Job!” or “Try Again.” Digital grading systems and stickers made them unnecessary. Many students today have never seen these classic stamps in action.
7. Overhead Projector Transparencies
Swadim on Wikimedia Commons
Teachers used clear plastic sheets and markers to display notes on overhead projectors. These were a hassle to clean and store, and interactive whiteboards eventually replaced them. Now, lessons are projected straight from computers.
8. Filmstrip Projectors
Rockclaw1030 on Wikimedia Commons
Before YouTube and online videos, classrooms relied on filmstrips to show educational content. Students watched as the teacher manually advanced each frame. Digital videos made this slow and clunky method obsolete.
9. Floppy Disks
Mister rf on Wikimedia Commons
Floppy disks were the go-to storage method for computer assignments. They had limited space and were fragile, but students used them to save work before USB drives and cloud storage took over. Now, they are a tech relic.
10. Trapper Keepers
Yortizsoto16 on Wikimedia Commons
These colorful binders with Velcro flaps were once the ultimate way to keep schoolwork organized. Schools gradually phased them out due to distractions and bulkiness. Digital notebooks and simpler folders have taken their place.