12 Old Technology That Made Loud, Unnecessary Noises
This listicle looks back at 12 old technologies that made far more noise than they really needed to.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
This fun list takes you through gadgets of the past that were anything but quiet. Each one had its own unique clatter, whir, or beep that made it unforgettable. These noisy relics still bring back strong memories for anyone who used them.
1. Film Projector’s Whir and Click
DiscoA340 on Wikimedia Commons
Film projectors filled rooms with the steady hum of the motor and the rhythmic click of reels spinning. The sound often became part of the movie experience itself, making theaters feel alive. While the noise was unnecessary for playing the film, it became a signature of classic cinema nights.
2. Rotary Phone Dialing Rattle
Neozoon on Wikimedia Commons
Every turn of the dial on a rotary phone produced a satisfying click that echoed through the room. It was slow, mechanical, and impossible to do quietly. The rattle was part of the charm, even if it made private calls a little too easy for everyone nearby to overhear.
3. Typewriter’s Clackety Clack
Sammlung der Medien und Wissenschaft on Wikimedia Commons
Typing on a mechanical typewriter felt like playing an instrument, with each keystroke producing a sharp clack. The bell at the end of each line added its own cheerful ring. It was noisy, but that sound told everyone you were busy creating something important.
4. Dot Matrix Printer’s Stampede
Corvair on Wikimedia Commons
Dot matrix printers attacked the page with rapid, repetitive taps that sounded like tiny hammers. They were slow but made up for it by being incredibly loud. Many people still remember waiting for that buzzing, clattering sheet to slowly emerge.
5. Boombox Bass Boom
Stephen Michael Barnett from Adelaide, Australia on Pexels
Boomboxes could fill a street with music, and their deep bass often rattled more than just the speakers. The louder the volume, the more you could feel the vibration in your chest. It was a sound that demanded attention wherever it went.
6. VCR Fast Forward Fuzz
Priwo at German Wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by Joni2 at de.wikipedia. on Wikimedia Commons
Fast forwarding a tape in a VCR created a strange mix of high-pitched whines and rushing static. The picture blurred and warped on the screen, making it clear the machine was working hard. It was a noisy process for something so simple.
7. CRT TV’s High Pitched Hum
Kathy Vreeland on Wikimedia Commons
Old tube televisions often gave off a faint hum that you could hear even when no sound was playing. The noise was constant and strangely hypnotic. People either ignored it completely or found it impossible to sit in silence near one.
8. Early PC Beepy BIOS
Ruben de Rijcke on Wikimedia Commons
When early personal computers started up, they often greeted users with a series of beeps and chirps. These sounds were meant to signal that everything was working, but they could be startling. For many, those beeps became the official start of a computing session.
9. Fax Machine’s Screech and Churn
File:Panasonic KX-F90.jpg: Pittigrilli derivative work: Georgfotoart on Wikimedia Commons
Sending a fax was like starting a small robot that whirred, screeched, and dragged paper through its rollers. The noise often lasted longer than the actual transfer of the document. Even though it was jarring, it became the background soundtrack of many offices.
10. Mechanical Alarm Clock Buzz
Santeri Viinamäki on Wikimedia Commons
The old metal alarm clocks did not politely wake you up. They rattled and buzzed so loudly that you had no choice but to get out of bed. Many people remember jumping awake in shock to silence them.
11. Peripheral Drive Seek Beeps
Mister rf on Wikimedia Commons
Older disk drives made a series of clicks and beeps as they searched for files. It was a reminder that finding your data was a physical process, not an instant one. The noise made computers feel alive, almost like they were thinking.
12. Polaroid Camera Whirr
Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons
Pressing the shutter on a Polaroid camera unleashed a quick mechanical whirr before it spat out the photo. The sound was as much a part of the memory as the picture itself. Many people still associate that noise with instant gratification.