One of the most important and impactful decades in history was the ’90s . It was here that humanity gave birth to the personal computer, widespread home internet usage, and of course — boy bands.
As incredible of a time as it was, there are some aspects that just don’t compute nowadays . Have a look and check out these 15 things from the ’90s that people might consider weird today.
Using a paper map for directions.
I still have vivid images of being in the backseat of my grandparents’ car, my papa at the wheel, and my nana in the passenger chair trying to find the proper exit off the highway.
Researching school assignments in the library.
That’s right. Before the time of computers and the internet, you used to actually have to physically sign out books and read them ! And then, if you didn’t return the books on time — you were charged a late fee!
Taking pictures in to be developed.
Long before the digital age, photographs were taken using something called “film.” I can still remember the whirring sound that the camera made once you’d taken your last photo; boy does that take me back.
Ordering clothes and toys from a catalogue.
I remember once a year, right before Christmas, our school would send home this giant catalog for kids to give to their parents. Then, six to eight weeks later, you’d receive a special delivery from the postal worker!
Watching trailers for new movies in theaters.
Yes, movie trailers always existed in various capacities, but studios never used to unveil a new trailer on TV. If you wanted to get a taste for what was to come, you had to see it in theaters.
Payphones.
When I was a kid, my friends and I used to make prank-collect-calls using payphones all the time. As I write this, I’m now realizing that there are some kids who’ll have no concept of what a collect call is.
Skater chains.
I’m embarrassed to say this but I used to rock a skater chain from the time I was probably 7-years-old right up until high school. I had absolutely no use for a wallet at that age, but it didn’t stop me.
Wearing a watch solely to be able to tell time.
These days watches can be used for phone calls, to predict the weather, heck — you can even watch TV! Back when I was a kid, a watch was the only method for telling time, other than a wall clock.
Renting movies at Blockbuster.
I have respect for Blockbuster but Jumbo Video was where it was really at for me. They always had free popcorn and unlike Blockbuster, they showed the covers of the VHS tapes on the wall.
Rewinding movies.
Do you remember analog tape? How about how frustrating it was to pop a tape into the VCR only to realize that the last person had neglected to rewind it? That was the proverbial middle finger for the decade.
Having no idea who was calling on the other end of the phone.
It sounds like something out of a horror movie (and it was for many years) but there once was a time wherein order to find out who was calling, you had to pick up the phone and say “hello, who’s this?”
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Showing up to the theatre early in order to buy tickets/get good seats.
You most certainly couldn’t reserve seats online, as there was no such thing as an online box office! Basically, the only way to ensure you’d see the movie you wanted was to arrive hours before the doors even opened.
The global obsession with The Spice Girls and The Backstreet Boys.
If you want a surefire test to determine whether or not someone really did in fact grow up in the ’90s, just throw on something by the Spice Girls or BSB. No true ’90s kid can resist singing along, and trust me — they know all the words.
Disposable cameras.
You could pick up one of these cameras for a few dollars from any corner store or photoshop. It had a wheel fastened to the back that you had to physically turn in order to take the picture.
I feel like a dinosaur just talking about it.
Losing your mind over being able to play Pokemon in color!
Pokemon was unquestionably the biggest fad of the ’90s by far. When they released Pokemon Red and Blue, kids all around the world literally lost their minds. And once the subsequent Pokemon Yellow was released on Game Boy Color — it was game over.