15 Tech Trends from the ’90s That Disappeared Without a Trace
The '90s were a playground for groundbreaking tech trends that promised the future, but many vanished almost overnight, leaving behind only nostalgic memories and a handful of collectors’ items.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
The ’90s were a revolutionary time for technology, where everything appeared possible, and fresh gadgets and formats emerged at an unbelievable rate. From the MiniDisc to the cumbersome CRT monitors, many of these former hot trends claimed to change our lives forever but were soon forgotten. As we welcomed faster, more streamlined options, these remnants of history became nothing more than relics, a forgotten novelty, providing a quaint glimpse into the technological aspirations of a lost age.
1. MiniDisc
Image from Medium
MiniDiscs promised a small, high-quality digital audio format that would supplant cassette tapes and CDs. They had features such as skip-free playback, re-recording, and small size, but ultimately fell victim to the popularity of MP3 players and CDs. Even with their technical superiority, the MiniDisc simply could not match the ease and increasing capacity of MP3 players in the early 2000s.
2. Beepers/Pagers
Image from Silicon UK
Prior to the dominance of cell phones, beepers or pagers were the must-have device for staying in touch, particularly for businesspeople and physicians. They would only show a phone number or a brief message, and the user would have to call back. However, with cell phones becoming cheaper and more functional, pagers soon went out of style by the early 2000s.
3. LaserDiscs
Image from Wikipedia
LaserDiscs were the first optical disc format known for their high-quality video and audio. Unfortunately, they were expensive and bulky and didn’t offer the convenience of VHS or DVD. As DVDs became the preferred format, LaserDiscs faded away, making them a collector’s item today.
4. CRT Computer Monitors
Image from TechTerms.com
The retro clunky CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors were the standard for computer screens back in the ’90s. Although they provided fantastic picture quality then, they were bulky and weighed a lot. Flat-panel LCDs and LEDs appeared on the scene, providing much thinner, space-efficient options, and CRTs were suddenly outdated.
5. Dial-Up Internet
Image from Wikipedia
The ring of a dial-up modem connecting was a common sound in most homes. It was slow, frequently unreliable, and took up the phone line, but it was the door to the internet for millions. With the advent of broadband, dial-up soon vanished as individuals craved faster and more reliable connections.
6. PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)
Image from Wikipedia
Before smartphones, PDAs such as the Palm Pilot were the pinnacle of portable organization, with capabilities such as calendars, contact management, and note-taking. They were convenient, but without the internet access and apps that smartphones would eventually bring. As smartphones developed, PDAs were gradually discontinued, giving way to the do-it-all devices we have today.
7. Betamax
Image from Wikipedia
Sony’s Betamax format, with higher video quality, was VHS’s ’90s rival. Although technically superior, Betamax lost the format war to VHS due to longer recording times and stronger marketing. Betamax went out of favor, and VHS dominated home video until the advent of DVDs.
8. Floppy Disks
Image from Texas Public Radio
Floppy disks were the norm for file storage and moving files between computers, but they were handicapped by their small storage capacity and susceptibility to damage. Floppy disks became obsolete overnight when CDs, DVDs, and USBs became more dependable and had larger storage capabilities. Although there was a sense of nostalgia for the floppy, it went out as newer, more effective digital storage media took its place.
9. Zip Drives
Image from Dictionary of Archives Terminology
The Iomega Zip Drive was the game-changer storage drive of the ’90s, providing more capacity than floppy disks and a convenient way to back up files. Eventually, however, it was surpassed by more user-friendly and higher-capacity models such as USB drives and external hard drives. Zip disks became an afterthought when flash storage became the standard in the 2000s.
10. Tamagotchis
Image from Wikipedia
These tiny, portable virtual pets were a huge fad in the late ’90s, with individuals fanatically caring for them. They entertained for a bit, but eventually, the novelty faded as individuals transitioned to more advanced devices. Although they remain in niche markets, their popularity declined as technology improved.
11. Digital Watches with Built-In Games
Image from Time+Tide Watches
During the ’90s, electronic watches with plain games such as Snake or Tetris were a phenomenal success. They were amusing and endearing at one time, but with the introduction of smartphones, the idea of gaming on a watch looked outdated. Now, even smartwatches are being made more into utility items, with hardly any focus on games.
12. TV with Built-in VHS Players
Image from Galleon.PH
In the ’90s, some TVs included a built-in VHS player, so it was easy to watch movies without using a separate player. However, once DVDs and Blu-ray players became the norm and digital streaming caught on, these combo TVs were no longer needed. With streaming and digital content today, the demand for VHS players has essentially disappeared.
13. WebTV
Image from Silicon UK
WebTV was a service that enabled internet access and TV viewing with one’s television set. Although in advance of its time by combining TV and internet viewing, it suffered from slower internet speeds and less capability than personal computers. As internet speeds picked up and smart TVs became dominant, WebTV rapidly became extinct.
14. 8mm Video Cameras
Image from Ebay PH
During the ’90s, 8mm video cameras were the norm for home movies, providing a convenient package for recording video. However,t the format was soon replaced by digital camcorders, which provided better video quality, simpler editing, and more storage. The 8mm format was discontinued as the digital era evolved.
15. CRT Televisions
Image from eBay.ph
Like CRT monitors, CRT TVs were the preferred display for television viewing during the ’90s. They were heavy, large, and low-resolution, which made them a bad choice for today’s high-definition capabilities. As flat-panel LED and OLED TVs became cheap and light, CRT TVs soon faded from living rooms.