12 Things That Were a Huge Deal in the ’90s but Are Gone Now

The 1990s were a decade full of unique gadgets, pop culture, and everyday habits that defined the time. Some of them felt like they would last forever, but today, many have either disappeared or been replaced by something faster, smaller, or more digital.

1. Dial-Up Internet

Cornellanense on Wikimedia Commons

Getting online meant hearing a loud screech and waiting minutes for a connection. You couldn’t use the phone and the internet simultaneously. Downloads took forever, and streaming didn’t exist. Wi-Fi made this slow process a thing of the past.

2. Video Rental Stores

Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons

Going to a video store to rent a movie was a weekend ritual. You had to hope the movie you wanted was still on the shelf. Late fees were common and annoying. Streaming services have now made physical rentals unnecessary.

3. CD Walkmans

Lcarsdata on Wikimedia Commons

Listening to music meant carrying a bulky CD player and flipping through a case of discs. Songs skipped if you moved too much. Batteries didn’t last long, and there was no shuffle unless you changed the CD. Phones and streaming apps replaced all of that.

4. Chain Emails

The Android Open Source Project on Wikimedia Commons

People sent long email chains warning of bad luck or offering blessings if you forwarded them to 10 friends. Some were jokes, others made fake threats. They cluttered inboxes and caused unnecessary worry. Social media and spam filters ended their run.

5. Collect Calling

Sharon Hahn Darlin on Wikimedia Commons

Before everyone had cell phones, you’d make a call by dialing a service and saying your name quickly to avoid fees. Families would listen for the name and hang up without accepting the charges. It was a strange kind of voicemail workaround. Unlimited calling plans ended that need.  

6. Paper Maps

P. C. Varte on Wikimedia Commons

Traveling meant unfolding a large map and trying to follow roads with tiny labels. There was no GPS, and getting lost was a common occurrence. Refolding the map was almost as hard as reading it. Phones now give turn-by-turn directions instantly.

7. Pagers

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Pagers were tiny devices that showed a number or a short message. People would get a beep, then find a phone to call back. Doctors, teens, and businesspeople all used them. Smartphones made them irrelevant quickly.

8. TV Guide Channel

TV Guide on Wikimedia Commons

Finding out what was on TV meant watching a slow-scrolling channel with program listings. You had to wait if you missed the one you wanted. It took time and patience. Digital menus on TVs and apps replaced it completely.

9. Chain Wallets

Sevela.p on Wikimedia Commons

Wearing a wallet with a long metal chain was a fashion trend and a way to avoid losing it. It was popular among skaters and punk fans. The look faded as fashion shifted and slimmer styles took over. Most people now just use phone wallets or cards.  

10. Phone Books

Tomasz Sienicki on Wikimedia Commons

People used thick books filled with names, numbers, and ads to find contact info. Businesses paid to be listed in the Yellow Pages. Looking something up took effort and time. Search engines made them obsolete.  

11. Beepers for Parents

Jorgebarrios on Pexels

Parents would beep kids to call home from a payphone or friend’s house. It was a low-cost way to check in. These short alerts were seen as practical and simple. Now, phones with messaging and GPS have replaced the need.

12. MTV Playing Music Videos

Viacom International Inc. on Wikimedia Commons

MTV was once the top place to watch new music videos and see emerging artists. It helped launch careers and shaped music trends. Over time, it shifted to reality shows and stopped focusing on music. YouTube and streaming now serve that role.

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