Let’s face it, our parents can hold onto some gizmos that, to us, are completely obsolete. If you grew up in the late 90s or early 00s, you may recognize some of these gadgets that some parents still use.
While these gadgets may not be as sleek and ultra-smart as the devices we rely on today, they have an almost endearing quality and reliability that simply cannot be beaten. Let’s head down memory lane for a fun look at 9 outdated electronic gadgets your parents still have in their lives!
1. VHS Tapes and VCRs
Long before the age of binge-watching and on-demand streaming, family movie nights revolved around VHS tapes and their trusty VCR. These bulky black plastic cassettes had to be rewound manually or risk a penalty at the video rental store, and tapes were prone to getting “eaten” by the VCR.
Parents would line the living room shelves with rows of labeled tapes, Disney classics, home-recorded TV specials, and family home videos. Today, VHS players are mostly collectors’ items or forgotten tech curiosities stored in boxes marked “garage sale.”
2. Corded Landline Phone
Before smartphones, the corded landline phone was the household communication hub, often on the kitchen wall or living room table. It never needed charging, offering reliable, crystal-clear calls without dropped signals. During power outages, it still worked because it drew power from the phone line, making it invaluable.
The nostalgic dial tone, satisfying receiver clicks, and tactile buttons created a unique experience smartphones can’t match. The cord limited movement, encouraging focused conversations and family bonding. In today’s wireless world, the corded landline remains a dependable, comforting relic of simpler times.
3. Answering Machines
Even though voicemail is now built into every smartphone, many households still keep standalone answering machines humming away. These devices, often perched on a shelf or desk, blink with missed calls, usually from telemarketers or unknown numbers.
For some parents, answering machines offer a tangible sense of control: they can listen to messages in order, save important ones, and delete the rest without relying on phone menus or apps. There’s also a nostalgic charm in hearing the classic recorded greeting and the mechanical beep as messages play back. Despite modern technology, answering machines remain a trusted, familiar tool.
4. Digital Alarm Clocks with Radio
In a time when smartphones have replaced the functions of alarms and music, parents are still using their old-style digital alarm clocks with built-in radios. They act as something dependable that anyone can use, with an ‘alarm’ that wakes you up, plays music, or catches the news without the ‘incessant buzz’ of notifications.
With simple buttons, a bright LED display, and ease of use, these are perfect for parents. They provide comfort in routine and a nostalgic feel of a time before smartphones took over. Nevertheless, they are simple alarm clocks that are still a part of many households.
5. Console Stereo Systems
In the mid-20th century, music wasn’t portable, but it was grand. Console stereo systems were massive pieces of furniture, often carved from wood and designed to be a visual centerpiece in the living room. They combined radios, record players, and sometimes even storage for vinyl records in one elegant structure.
Families often gathered around these for music, news, or sporting events. Now, music lives in compact Bluetooth speakers or phones, and the console stereo is a forgotten monument to a time when listening to music was a shared, intentional ritual.
6. Fax Machines
Though fax machines seem like relics from another era, many parents still have one tucked away, especially if they run small businesses or prefer the old-school way of sending documents.
Before email and scanners became widespread, faxing was the fastest way to transmit signed papers or important files. Despite modern alternatives, fax machines offer a sense of security and simplicity. Just insert the document, press send, and it’s on its way. For some parents, the familiar whirring sounds and printed confirmations bring peace of mind, proving that sometimes, old tech just works best.
7. Polaroid Camera
Before digital cameras and smartphones, Polaroid cameras were the ultimate form of instant gratification. Popular in the 90s, with your Polaroid camera, you could click and develop into a physical print only minutes later.
A lot of parents still love their Polaroid for the retro vibe and tactile joy of an actual photo, the physical copy of a photo rather than simply scrolling through digital pictures. The slow reveal of a photo also adds to the magic. Polaroids allow you to feel a part of a memory and to pause a moment in time.
8. CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube Television)
While flat-screen TVs have taken over, there are still parents who are still rocking a CRT TV. These sets are boxy and bulky and are known to last a lifetime with a warm picture quality. Sure, they are not HD, but CRTs are the best for the retro feel from classic video games like the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis.
There is just no denying the nostalgia that CRT TV brings back for many parents, family nights, and all the good of life. For many people, CRT televisions will remain a joyful and dependable fixture in their lives.
9. MP3 Players
Standalone MP3 players, such as the iconic iPod, are still in use by some parents who prefer a dedicated music device for workouts, travel, or focused listening. Even though smartphones now stream music effortlessly, these small gadgets offer a distraction-free experience without notifications or calls interrupting the playlist.
Many people are also going to appreciate the battery life of an MP3 player over a smartphone, even in a digital music-inundated world. For some, an MP3 player brings back memories of digital music, the portability, and the tactile feel of the interface of life before it was all apps.
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