16 Jobs That Were Once Common But Are Rare Now
Some jobs used to be a normal part of everyday life, but are now rarely seen. Some disappeared due to new technology, while others faded with changes in society. Each job is explained, offering a glimpse into how work used to be.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Work has changed a lot over the years, and many jobs that were once everywhere are now nearly gone. This list looks back at careers that helped shape daily life but have become rare or vanished altogether. These roles show how people once earned a living and how progress has shifted the way we work. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in the world of work.
1. Switchboard Operator
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Switchboard operators helped connect phone calls by plugging wires into a big board. They were a key part of early phone systems before automatic dialing. Today, machines do this work in seconds.
2. Milkman
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Milkmen delivered fresh bottles of milk right to your doorstep, often early in the morning. People would leave empty glass bottles outside for the next delivery. Refrigerators and supermarkets made this job nearly disappear.
3. Lamplighter
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Lamplighters walked the streets at dusk, lighting gas lamps by hand. They came back at dawn to turn them off. Electric streetlights replaced this peaceful but important job.
4. Typist or Typing Pool Worker
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Before computers, offices had teams of people who typed letters and documents all day. They used typewriters and followed handwritten notes. Word processors and email ended this career for most.
5. Elevator Operator
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Elevator operators stood inside lifts and pushed buttons or pulled levers for you. They made sure you got to the right floor safely. Now, we press the buttons on our own without a second thought.
6. Bowling Pin Setter
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Before machines took over, kids or teens would set bowling pins back up after every throw. It was noisy, fast, and sometimes dangerous work. Automatic pinsetters made this job vanish almost overnight.
7. Ice Cutter
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Ice cutters worked on frozen lakes in winter, cutting blocks of ice to store food in iceboxes. It was hard, cold work before electric refrigerators came along, and few today have even heard of it.
8. Projectionist (Film Reels)
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A movie projectionist handled film reels and made sure the movie played smoothly. They switched reels and kept the film in focus. With digital projectors, this once-skilled job is fading fast.
9. Railroad Fireman
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These workers helped power steam trains by shoveling coal into the engine. It was hot, dirty, and vital for keeping trains moving. Diesel and electric engines ended the need for firemen.
10. Typographer (Manual Typesetting)
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Typographers once arranged tiny letters by hand to print books and newspapers. This required patience, a steady hand, and a good eye. Digital printing has made this a rare art.
11. Door-to-Door Salesperson
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These salespeople went house to house selling everything from vacuum cleaners to encyclopedias. They gave live demos and talked to people face-to-face. Online shopping and phones have made this job almost disappear.
12. Coal Delivery Worker
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Coal workers delivered heavy sacks of coal to homes for heating. Many houses had coal-burning stoves or furnaces. As gas and electricity took over, this job faded away.
13. Telegraph Operator
Esther Bubley on Wikimedia
Telegraph operators sent messages by tapping codes over long wires. They were once the fastest way to send news or updates across distances, but phones and the internet made this job unnecessary.
14. Knocker-Upper
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In the days before alarm clocks, a knocker-upper would tap on windows with a long stick to wake people up. Some even used pea-shooters to knock on glass. Alarm clocks made this quirky job a thing of the past.
15. Lector in a Factory
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Lectors were hired to read newspapers or books aloud to factory workers during their shifts. They helped keep minds busy during long, repetitive work. Radios and music replaced this thoughtful role.
16. Human Computer
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Before machines, people—often women—were hired to do math by hand for science or engineering work. They calculated everything from flight paths to building designs. Modern computers have taken over this once-important job.