We took a walk last week with my daughter and son-in-law in the Olympic Sculpture Park. As we entered the park, I spied this sculpture on the side of the freeway and asked Sara and Will if they knew what it was. They thought it was a tool of some kind for the kitchen, but didn't know the purpose of such a tool. It seemed like the brush on the end made it perfect for the kitchen. When I was able to stifle my giggles, I explained the typewriter eraser to them, a tool that the students of my day would never be without, but is unrecognizable by my own children.
Thanks to black chick on tour blogger who allowed me to use her gorgeous image. Check out more sculptures from the park by clicking on the link to her photo tour blog post of the park.
This experience made me think about other things that have gone out of fashion like the pneumatic tubes at our Anthony's department store in my hometown. I loved the sound they made as the cash and receipt traveled to the main office and then whooshed back to the customer and sales person standing at the counter. It made for a few moments of pleasant conversation while you waited for the transaction to be completed.
How about adding machines and inventory taken with pencil and paper (and carbon paper)? I worked at Montgomery Wards department store in high school and during college. I spent days and weeks with the ten key reconciling inventory pages.
I recently had to explain transistor radios to my students. It was such a treasured possession for a teenager in my day, but made little sense to students who carry I-pods in their pockets. It makes me wonder what will be obsolete by the time my students grow up, and what common objects will they have to identify and explain to their children.
You are so right! I think of that, too. I tried explaining the pneumatic tube for sales to my kids. The drive thru at the bank still has them. I had kids confused as to how I got their pictures on paper for them to glue to another sheet even! They are so used to viewing their pictures on a phone or camera screen that they didn't realize you could actually print them up to hold and pass around without passing around a device!
ReplyDeleteI loved those tubes, too, at Penney's in my town! What fun! I also remember the first calculator we had, expensive & amazing! I love that there is a sculpture garden with some of these 'treasures". We did need the erasers and now all we need is the delete button-changes for the good I think. Fun post, Ramona!
ReplyDeleteI had one of these! And, yes, there seem to be more and more of such moments when I realize that I am advancing in age.
ReplyDeleteI've had those same thoughts, what will change and be unrecognizable to the youth of today? I love sculpture parks! St. Louis has a great one too. Just think how the cell phone has changed from the original bag phone days!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post to read. I remember everything you mentioned...and loved the comment about the type writer eraser...as for the transistor radios...how can you explain them! My friend and I used to sing together...and when I moved out of state...we continued visiting (this was when I was in 8th grade through high school)...and we called ourselves The Tran-Sisters. Kids would not even get that at all today. Jackie http://familytrove.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWe all loved our little transistors...they only tuned in to AM stations back then. In Chicago it was on WLS or WCFL. I love talking about the old things. I also loved the tubes. Fun post...thanks. xo
ReplyDeleteWow I had no idea what this statue was either. Thanks for enlightening me.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I have chuckled about my son's recent 'discovery' of an old cassette tape player! He even found some blank tapes at our church building! It will be an interesting summer. The vinyl records continue to blast on the old stereo. Ah, the joys of having antique parents!
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