13 Obsolete School Supplies That Deserve a Comeback
Many old-school supplies have quietly disappeared from classrooms, replaced by digital tools and sleeker versions. However, some of those items brought charm, creativity, and hands-on fun that modern gadgets can’t match. It might be time to dust off a few classics and bring them back.
- Tricia Quitales
- 3 min read
School supplies from past decades had a special kind of personality that today’s tech-based tools often lack. They were simple, useful, and sometimes even fun to use. While they may seem outdated now, many of them encouraged creativity and made learning feel more personal. These 13 forgotten school items could actually make school life better if given a second chance.
1. Trapper Keepers
Pixabay on Pexles
These colorful, Velcro-closing binders were more than just organizers; they were status symbols. Kids loved showing off the wild patterns and hidden folders inside. They made staying organized actually feel cool.
2. Pencil Boxes
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
Sturdy plastic or metal boxes kept pencils, erasers, and tiny treasures all in one place. They were easy to carry, came in bright colors, and often had stickers or doodles all over them. Today’s soft pouches just don’t have the same magic.
3. Overhead Projectors
Pixabay on Pexels
Watching your teacher write on a clear sheet while light beamed it onto the wall felt high-tech at the time. The slow pace made it easy to follow, and the click of the projector felt oddly satisfying. Now replaced by smartboards, the old glow is missed.
4. Scented Markers
Ylanite Koppens on Pexels
Each color had its own fruity smell, making even boring notes a little more exciting. Everyone had a favorite, and some kids sniffed the caps just for fun. They were creative, colorful, and memorable.
5. Chalkboards
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There was something powerful about hearing chalk hit the board and seeing words appear in dusty strokes. Teachers used them with flair, and students loved the chance to write or draw during class. Whiteboards might be cleaner, but chalkboards had style.
6. Manual Pencil Sharpeners
Pixabay on Pexels
Mounted to classroom walls, these crank-powered sharpeners were noisy but dependable. Watching the shavings curl out was oddly satisfying. Electric versions just don’t have the same satisfying crank-and-grind feel.
7. Eraser Toppers
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These bright little caps gave pencils personality and extended their life. Some were shaped like animals or stars, adding a bit of fun to homework time. They were tiny, cheerful, and strangely collectible.
8. Reinforcement Stickers
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When notebook holes tore, these little paper rings saved the day. Applying them felt like fixing a tiny disaster all by yourself. They taught kids how to protect and repair their own supplies.
9. Slide Rules
Encik Tekateki on Wikimedia
Before calculators took over, slide rules were the go-to tool for solving math problems. They looked complicated but gave kids a hands-on way to understand numbers. Bringing them back could boost real thinking in math.
10. Colored Transparencies
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Used with overhead projectors, these bright plastic sheets made lessons more engaging. Teachers layered them for cool effects or wrote directly on them with markers. Today’s screens lack that interactive magic.
11. Multiplication Charts
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
These colorful posters or desk-sized charts were learning aids and decorations at the same time. Kids used them daily and slowly memorized the facts just by seeing them over and over. They made math feel less scary and more visual.
12. Penmanship Workbooks
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Focused writing practice helped kids learn not just how to write but how to write neatly. These books had clear lines, letter shapes, and plenty of space to improve. Handwriting may be fading, but these workbooks helped build pride in penmanship.
13. Library Card Pockets
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
Found inside the front covers of school library books, they tracked every borrower with a date stamp. Checking out books felt official and personal. Today’s scanners are efficient, but they don’t have that same feeling of connection.