11 Jobs That No Longer Exist Due to Technology

Times changes things, yet the world keeps on moving and adapting to the fast-paced technological advancements humans are constantly creating. Before smartphones, computers, or even any electronics, people had to use what they had at the time, and these photos are a great reminder that the world used to be a totally different place.

Check out these photos of jobs that simply no longer exist because they were replaced by robots, machines, or computers in this modern day age:

11. Bowling Alley Pinsetters

Bowling alley pinsetters were usually young boys at bowling alleys hired to set up the pins for clients.

10. Human Alarm Clocks

Knocker-uppers were essentially human alarm clocks. They were hired to ensure that people would wake up on time for their own jobs by using sticks, clubs or pebbles to knock on clients’ windows and doors.

9. Ice Cutters

Before modern refrigeration techniques, ice cutters would saw up the ice on frozen lakes for people to use in their cellars and to help preserve their food.

8. Listener for Enemy Aircraft

Before radar was invented, soldiers had to use acoustic mirrors and listening devices like these to focus and detect the sound of engines from approaching aircraft. Yes, this was an actual thing.

7. Rat Catchers

Rat catchers were employed in Europe to control rat populations. They ran high risks of suffering bights and infections, but helped prevent these from spreading to the public. This might be the worst job on the list.

6. Lamplighters

Lamplighters used long poles to light, extinguish and refuel street lamps, that is until electric lamps were introduced.

5. Milkman

Before suitable refrigeration and preservation techniques were available, milk had to be delivered daily, or else it would spoil. This was the daily job of the milkman.

4. Log Drivers

Before the technology or infrastructure was available to transport logs by truck, log drivers would float and guide them down rivers from logging sites to processing areas.

3. Switchboard Operators

Switchboard operators were integral parts of a telephone network’s operation before modern technology rendered them obsolete. They would connect long-distance calls and do other things that are now done digitally.

2. Resurrectionist

Resurrectionists were hired in the 19th century to remove corpses from graves for universities to use as cadavers. Cadavers from legal means were rare and difficult to obtain, so universities had to resort to other means to procure cadavers for their students.

1. Factory Worker Entertainer

Lectors were often hired with money pooled from factory workers to read to large rooms full of manual laborers to keep them entertained.