16 Old Jobs That Don’t Exist Anymore
Long before the digital age, people made a living in ways that might seem strange, obsolete, or even amusing by today’s standards. These forgotten professions were once vital to society, serving purposes that machines, modernization, or shifts in daily life have since replaced. They reflect a time when human labor was the primary source of productivity and specialized skills were often passed down through generations.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Throughout history, certain occupations were central to daily survival, convenience, and progress. As industries changed and technology advanced, many of these jobs slowly disappeared. Some faded due to automation, others became irrelevant as social needs shifted. These 16 old jobs remind us of how far the workforce has come and the unique roles people once played in building the world we know today.
1. Lamplighter
Jim Griffin on Wikimedia
Before electricity illuminated the streets, lamplighters manually lit gas lamps every evening. They used long poles with a flame to ignite each lamp and returned at dawn to extinguish them. The role required precision, timeliness, and knowledge of routes. Once electric streetlights became common, the job quickly disappeared.
2. Knocker-upper
Nurhan Ateş on Pexels
Before alarm clocks, people paid “knocker-uppers” to wake them up for work. These individuals tapped on bedroom windows with long sticks or peashooters. This practice was especially common in industrial cities during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The invention of affordable clocks rendered this early-morning service obsolete.
3. Switchboard Operator
Unknown author or not provided on WIkimedia
Switchboard operators manually connected telephone calls by inserting phone plugs into the right jacks. The job demanded excellent listening skills, patience, and quick coordination. It was a predominantly female occupation during its peak in the early 20th century. Automation in telecommunication has gradually phased out the need for human operators.
4. Ice Cutter
Daderot on Wikimedia
Before modern refrigeration, ice cutters harvested ice from frozen lakes during winter. Workers used saws and tools to extract large blocks, storing them in ice houses for use year-round. This job was labor-intensive and often dangerous due to freezing conditions. Refrigerators and freezers eventually replaced the need for natural ice harvesting.
5. Milkman
פרנק סחולטן on Wikimedia
Milkmen delivered fresh milk directly to people’s doors, often in glass bottles. They followed daily or weekly routes, sometimes taking empty bottles back for reuse. This job fostered strong community relationships and was once an essential service. Supermarkets, home refrigeration, and plastic packaging eventually led to its decline.
6. Elevator Operator
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Before self-service elevators became standard, elevator operators controlled the lift’s movement manually. They were responsible for opening doors, selecting floors, and assisting passengers. The job was considered a symbol of luxury and customer service in early high-rise buildings. With the advent of automated systems, this role became unnecessary.
7. Rat Catcher
Bain News Service, publisher on WIkimedia
Urban areas, especially in industrial-era cities, employed rat catchers to control vermin populations. These workers used traps, poison, and even trained animals to hunt rodents. The job carried significant health risks but was crucial to preventing disease outbreaks. Today, professional pest control services have replaced this once-common occupation.
8. Resurrectionist
Public domain on Wikimedia
Also known as body snatchers, resurrectionists exhumed corpses to sell to medical schools. In the 18th and 19th centuries, cadavers for anatomical study were in short supply. Despite its legal and moral implications, it was a surprisingly organized profession. Legislation eventually outlawed the practice and provided legitimate means for medical study.
9. Bowling Alley Pinsetter
Jeff Inglis on Wikimedia
Before automatic pinsetters, young boys — often called “pin boys” — were hired to manually reset bowling pins. They had to move quickly between games and avoid flying balls. The job was low-paid and sometimes hazardous. With the invention of automatic machinery in the 1950s, manual pinsetters became obsolete.
10. Typist Pool Worker
鄧南光 on Wikimedia
In many offices, groups of typists typed documents dictated or handwritten by executives. These pools consisted primarily of women who mastered typewriter skills and speed. It was a staple of mid-20th-century business environments. Word processors, personal computers, and digital dictation phased out the need for dedicated typing staff.
11. Human Alarm Clock
EqualStock IN on Pexels
A variation of the knocker-upper, human alarm clocks used bells, sticks, or simply loud voices to wake clients. This job was particularly popular in factory towns where punctuality was essential. They ensured workers woke up in time for their early shifts. Technology soon eliminated the need for human wake-up calls.
12. Lector
Zarateman on Wikimedia
Lectors were employed in cigar factories to read aloud to workers as they rolled cigars by hand. They read news, literature, or political material to keep laborers entertained and informed, helping boost morale and unity among workers. As radios and machines entered the workplace, the lector role faded away.
13. Log Driver
Unknown author on Wikimedia
Log drivers guided logs down rivers to sawmills by walking across floating timber and using poles to keep them moving. This job required balance, agility, and nerves of steel. It was iconic in North America’s lumber industry. Modern trucking and rail systems eventually replaced river-based log transportation.
14. Gong Farmer
Mijanur Rahman Niloy on Pexels
In Tudor England, gong farmers cleaned out cesspits and collected human waste during nighttime. The job was essential for public sanitation but was considered extremely unpleasant and socially low-ranking. Workers often had to endure terrible conditions and strong odors. Modern sewage systems made the role obsolete.
15. Telegraph Operator
Esther Bubley on Wikimedia
Telegraph operators sent and received messages using Morse code over telegraph lines. This required specialized training and quick signal interpretation. Telegraph operators played a critical role in communication for military, business, and personal use. The rise of telephones and digital communication eliminated the need for Morse-based messaging.
16. Lamp Trimmer
Department of the Interior. Patent Office on Wikimedia
Lamp trimmers ensured flames burned properly and efficiently on ships and in buildings lit by oil lamps. Their tasks included adjusting wicks, refilling oil, and cleaning glass chimneys. It was a skilled job requiring attention to detail, but the introduction of electric lighting permanently ended the profession.