12 Things You Had to Memorize Before Smartphones Took Over

There were things we had to memorize before computers became so important to our lives. We used our memories to get by, from phone numbers to routes. This article takes us back in time to 12 things we had to memorize before smartphones made our lives so much easier.

Tricia Quitales
March 8, 2025
4 min read

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Smartphones have changed the way we live by giving us quick access to contact our friends, information, and tools for getting around. Still, there was a time when we had to remember a lot of things, like phone numbers and how to get to places. Technology has made our lives easier, but it also shows us how much we relied on our minds in the past.

1. Phone Numbers

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Before computers were invented, people used to memorize the phone numbers of their family, friends, and even businesses. It was essential to memorize those numbers, such as the phone numbers of our favorite takeout places. We had to learn them by heart because there were no devices to save that information.

2. Directions

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When we went somewhere new in the past, we had to use our memories and a map to help us find our way. It took practice and concentration to remember the names of streets, sites, and directions. Before GPS apps were launched, many people knew how to get around their towns without using a device.

3. Email Addresses

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We had to remember a lot of email addresses, especially if we used different ones for school, work, and personal things. Remembering someone’s email address as their phone number was just as important. At that time, we had to remember everything by heart, but now, autofill makes it easy.

4. Birthdays

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Keeping track of the birthdays of family and friends was a duty that needed close attention to detail. We had to remember each date on our own, without the help of social media or planner apps. People often kept track of their dates in their minds throughout the year.

5. Addresses

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Before smartphones, it was important to know the names of places we often went to and people we knew. To find homes or companies, we had to remember the names of streets, their numbers, and directions on how to get there. We had to write down addresses, but many would rather just remember them.

6. Passcodes and PINs

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Before password tools became popular, people had to memorize all of their bank card details, phone PINs, and passcodes. It was hard to keep track of all the possible combinations, but we did it. Some people used patterns or dates as their passwords, while others relied on their memories to keep private information safe.

7. Shopping Lists

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When we went to the store in the past, we had to remember our shopping plans because we didn’t want to carry a paper copy with us. Remembering the things on our list took attention and planning, and it helped us to have a mental routine for what to pick up. We used to rely on our minds, but now, digital shopping lists help us stay on top.

8. Lyrics to Songs

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All of us had to remember the words to our favorite songs without the help of websites or apps that play music. Whether it was an old favorite on the radio or a brand-new song we really liked, we learned every word. It was a fun task that helped me remember the music even better.

9. Class Schedules

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When we were students, it was normal to have to remember our class times. We couldn’t check them on apps or school websites, so it was important to remember where and when the classes were. A clear picture of our daily plans kept us from being late or lost.

10. Movie Showtimes

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Before smartphones, we had to remember when the movies would be shown by reading newspapers or phone ads for nearby theaters. When planning for the weekend, we often looked at when and where our favorite movies were showing. It was an everyday part of our lives that didn’t seem relevant anymore.

11. Local Businesses and Services

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We had to remember the names and phone numbers of all the places in town that sold things, from pizza parlors to repair shops. It meant remembering their information or always having a physical directory on hand. It took much mental organization, from getting food to finding services.

12. Directions to Friends’ Houses

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When we had to see our friends, we had to remember the exact routes to their homes, often without any help. To get somewhere, we often wrote directions on paper, like “Turn left at the big oak tree” or “Go two blocks past the gas station.” We learned how to get around the streets by heart before Google Maps came along.