As modern technology rapidly advances, jobs that once seemed like the stuff of science fiction are now becoming everyday realities. However, as new opportunities emerge, many roles that were once essential have faded into history. This list explores jobs that have vanished, illustrating how these once-common positions have been replaced by the demands of an evolving job market. Some of these roles might seem almost unbelievable today—it’s hard to imagine that people, not machines, once carried out these tasks. This transformation sparks curiosity: what jobs that we take for granted today will disappear in the next decade, only to be viewed as relics of a bygone era by future generations?
1. Lector
In the past, factories often employed individuals known as “lectores” to read stories aloud, providing entertainment and a break from the monotony of work. This practice first emerged in the 1860s within Cuban cigar factories. In the United States, the custom was common in the cigar factories of Ybor City in Tampa but was discontinued after the Ybor City cigar makers’ strike of 1931. Once chosen, the lectores would read a combination of news and literature that appealed to the workforce, providing both entertainment and information. This tradition helped break the monotony of factory work, making the environment more engaging and intellectually stimulating for the employees.
2. Town Crier (Bellman)
Before literacy became widespread, town criers served as the primary means of communication in many communities, delivering important announcements to those who could not read or write. These criers, often called bellmen, would publicly announce proclamations, local laws, market days, and advertisements. In ancient Rome, for instance, town criers would relay public information during market days, which took place every eight days, effectively creating a sort of weekend. In some places, their duties extended beyond just making announcements. In Goslar, Germany, a town crier would remind residents not to pollute the river the day before water was collected for brewing beer. While the role of town criers has largely become obsolete, their tradition lives on in some modern parades and ceremonies. Moreover, town crier competitions are held, where participants are judged on qualities such as clarity, volume, and overall presentation.
3. Lamplighter
Another profession that reached its height in the 19th century but can still be observed today is lamplighting. In urban areas during this period, lamplighters would make their rounds at dusk, using a long pole with a wick to light street lamps. At dawn, they would return to extinguish the lights with a small hook attached to the same pole. Their responsibilities also included carrying a ladder to replace candles, replenish oil, or renew gas mantles. In some communities, lamplighters took on a role similar to that of a town watchman, providing a sense of security, while in others, the job was considered more of a ceremonial position. Although lamplighting has largely faded in modern times, a few cities continue the practice, primarily as a tourist attraction, to preserve a sense of historical charm.
4. Pinsetter
Before the advent of automated pinsetting machines in bowling alleys, resetting the pins after each turn was the job of a pinsetter, often referred to as a “pin boy.” Former pin boy Paul Retseck once shared his experience with Scientific American, explaining that the role demanded speed and efficiency: “You really had to work fast, or the bowlers would yell at you, ‘Hey, get moving!’” The job required quick reflexes and agility to keep up with the pace of the game.
5. Milkman
Before there were places to keep anything cold for any real length of time, especially for nights on end, there was the milkman to bring you daily (or every other day) milk, before it spoiled. Well, that and to be the blame for hundreds of illegitimate children across the country. In the 1920s, most people had milk delivered directly to their doors. In 2005, just 0.4 percent of milk consumers got their milk that way, though since some grocery stores offer at-home delivery, we are reportedly seeing an uptick in milk delivery again.
6. Knocker-Upper
A knocker-up, also known as a knocker-upper, was a professional commonly found in the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, and other countries during the Industrial Revolution. This occupation emerged at a time when alarm clocks were not affordable or reliable. The primary role of a knocker-up was to wake people from sleep, ensuring they would arrive at work on time. Although the profession began to decline in the 1940s and 1950s, it continued to exist in certain industrial areas of England until the early 1970s. To perform their duties, knocker-ups typically used a baton or short, heavy stick to knock on their clients’ doors. For those living in higher-story apartments, a long, lightweight stick, often made of bamboo, was employed to tap on upper windows. A well-known photograph taken in 1931 by John Topham captures a knocker-up in East London using a pea-shooter for this purpose. In exchange for their services, knocker-ups would typically receive a few pence per week from their clients.
7. Ice Cutter
Until the early 20th century, ice was primarily harvested naturally by cutting into frozen lakes, making ice cutting a demanding and frigid occupation. While ancient civilizations such as those in Greece, Rome, Persia, and China stored ice collected during winter for use in warmer months, the ice cutting industry truly expanded in the early 19th century. Ice cutters would locate areas of thick ice on frozen bodies of water, cut large blocks from the surface, and then transport them to storage facilities for later distribution. However, as refrigeration and other cooling technologies improved, the demand for manual ice cutting steadily declined, eventually rendering the profession obsolete.
8. Rat Catcher
In Europe, controlling the rat population was essential to prevent the spread of diseases, most notably the Black Death, and to protect food supplies from contamination and damage. Traditional rat-catchers often captured rats by hand or employed “ratters,” which are animals trained or naturally adept at hunting rodents. They also utilized various types of traps to manage infestations. Modern approaches to rat control have evolved and now include a range of techniques, such as setting traps, using poisoned bait, introducing natural predators, and employing smoke machines.
9. Log Driver
The log drive was a key step in the broader lumber production process, especially in remote areas. In regions with snowy winters, this annual operation typically began in the fall when a small team transported tools upstream into forested areas. They would clear a space and build rudimentary structures to establish a logging camp. Once winter set in and the ground froze, a larger workforce would arrive at the camp to begin the logging operations. Workers would fell trees and cut the trunks into approximately 5-meter (16-foot) lengths, using oxen or horses to haul the logs over iced trails to the riverbank, where the logs were stacked onto “rollways.” With the arrival of spring, as the snow melted and water levels rose, the logs were rolled into the river to begin their journey downstream. To keep the logs moving smoothly along the river, skilled workers known as “log drivers” or “river pigs” were employed to guide and maneuver the logs.
10. Switchboard Operators
As the telephone grew in popularity and began to surpass the telegraph, telegraphists were gradually replaced by switchboard operators. These operators manually connected callers to the desired telephone lines. Originally, this role was filled by teenage boys, but their poor manners led to a shift in hiring practices. It was suggested that women might be better suited for the job, leading to a change in the industry.
Emma Nutt is widely recognized as the first female switchboard operator, beginning her work in 1878. She earned $10 a month for working 54-hour weeks. They were gradually phased out and replaced by automated systems, first those allowing direct dialing within a local area, then for long-distance and international direct dialing.
11. Resurrectionist
Universities required cadavers for educational purposes, but obtaining them legally was both challenging and costly. As a result, some individuals turned to body snatching as a solution. Known as resurrectionists, these body snatchers were often employed by anatomists in the United Kingdom during the 18th and 19th centuries to exhume recently buried bodies for medical research. From 1506 to 1752, only a limited number of cadavers were available each year for anatomical study, making the demand for illegal body procurement high. Resurrectionists faced significant risks, including the threat of physical violence if caught in the act. To deter these grave robbers, various measures were implemented. Increased security at graveyards became common, with night watchmen patrolling burial sites. The wealthy would sometimes secure their loved ones’ remains in fortified coffins, while others used physical barriers such as mortsafes or heavy stone slabs to make the removal of corpses more difficult.
12. Aircraft Listener
Before the invention of radar, military forces still needed a way to detect approaching enemy aircraft. This necessity led to the development of the role of aircraft listener. In Britain, large acoustic mirrors were employed to amplify sound and help pinpoint the direction of incoming planes. Some of these historical acoustic mirrors still stand today and have even been restored as part of preserving their legacy. Meanwhile, in Japan, the military utilized “war tubas,” large, horn-like devices that functioned similarly by focusing and amplifying the sound of aircraft engines to provide early warning of approaching threats.
13. Human Computers
Those who have seen Hidden Figures may already be familiar with the concept of “human computers”—individuals employed to perform mathematical calculations manually. One of the earliest notable examples of human computing dates back to 1757, when French mathematician Alexis-Claude Clairaut enlisted a team to help predict the appearance of Halley’s Comet. Although the advent of machine computing gradually reduced the reliance on human computers, it wasn’t until the 1970s that machines completely replaced them. Throughout both World Wars, human computers played an essential role in performing complex calculations, supporting everything from ballistics to cryptography.
14. Soda Jerk
Beginning in the 19th century, the role of the soda jerk became a staple of American culture. These individuals were responsible for preparing and serving popular beverages such as malts, milkshakes, and various types of sodas. In the early days, before cocaine was regulated as a controlled substance in 1914, it was common for soda fountains to offer drinks containing a mix of cocaine and caffeine. Despite the eventual removal of cocaine from the recipes, the desire for soda remained strong, and people continued to frequent their local soda fountains. By the 1930s and 1940s, the occupation had grown significantly, with approximately half a million people employed as soda jerks across the United States. However, the popularity of fast food restaurants, drive-ins, and other cultural shifts ultimately led to the decline of the soda jerk era.
15. Nigh Soil Workers
In areas without sewer systems, night soil men, also known as jakes-farmers, played a crucial role in maintaining sanitation. These workers would empty toilets, typically under the cover of darkness, since there was no way to conveniently flush waste away. The development of modern sewage systems in the United States began around the mid-1800s, gradually transforming waste management practices and reducing the need for these manual methods.
16. Telegraphist
A telegraphist was responsible for operating a telegraph to transmit messages between senders and recipients. During the First World War, the Royal Navy relied heavily on volunteers to serve as radio telegraphists. These individuals were vital to maritime communication in the early days of wireless telegraphy. Many young men were recruited to serve as professional radiotelegraph operators, a role that earned them high-paying officer status on board ships due to its importance and specialized nature.
17. Linotype Operator
Linotype machines revolutionized the printing industry by streamlining the process of producing newspapers and other printed materials. This innovation gave rise to a new profession: the linotype operator. The machine itself housed molds for each letter of the alphabet. As the operator typed, these letters were assembled into a line of text. The machine would then cast the line in hot metal, creating a solid strip resembling a stamp of that line. By arranging multiple lines together, an entire newspaper page could be composed efficiently. Precision was crucial for linotype operators, as any error in typing would result in the same mistake being replicated across every printed copy.
18. Slubber Doffers
In the United States, slubber doffers were children tasked with replacing bobbins in textile mills. Others took on roles such as sweeping the mill floors, and some even advanced to become spinners. Unfortunately, working in these mills was hazardous, and accidents that led to fatalities were not uncommon. Moreover, these young workers faced a higher risk of respiratory issues and other illnesses due to the harsh conditions. It wasn’t until the 1930s that child labor laws were enacted at the federal level to protect children from such dangerous and exploitative work environments.
19. Phreneologist
One of the more intriguing yet obsolete professions in the field of medicine was that of the phrenologist. These individuals examined skull shapes and the bumps on people’s heads, believing that such features could reveal a person’s abilities and character traits. Phrenology, however, was a pseudoscience, lacking any scientific basis. Unfortunately, it also became a tool for racists, who used it to claim that differences in skull shapes among races could prove the superiority and advanced intellect of Caucasians over others. These assertions were entirely unfounded and lacked any factual support. (Photo credit: RHP / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons). Notify me of new posts by email.
Δ Subscribe
