No Answer Needed
The landline is gone. So are the phone book, and the address book. Next to go is the answering machine, which people used to leave voice mails to each other if they couldn’t pick up. These still exist inside your phone, but even they are getting less and less use (other than from telemarketers and scammers, though I repeat myself) since most of the time it’s easier to leave text messages.
It’s sometimes fun to browse the old messages that might still remain on these devices, but they’re so outdated – and few people consider them worth keeping around – it’s unlikely you have access to one.
Two Front Doors: One for the Living, and One...
...FOR THE DEAD! Coffin doors are often found in old Victorian New England homes, and we're going to guess you know what they're for. Due to the placement of homes, the front parlor was usually the sunniest and warmest, meaning it was where homeowners entertained.
In the event of a funeral or wake, everyone would gather to say their last goodbyes. Some homes made it difficult to turn or maneuver the coffin, so an additional door was commonplace. This feature is said to be where we get the phrase “at death's door.”
Playing Double Dutch with the Doors
What was the purpose of a door that is halved through the middle? As the name suggests, Dutch doors were common in the Netherlands in the 17th century and were primarily used on farms to keep animals out and children in, while also allowing a fresh breeze to blow through. Dutch settlers brought the style to the US, which is why it's not uncommon to see Dutch doors on rural houses in New York and New Jersey.
They aren't super useful nowadays unless you're a farmer, but if you like the look it isn't too hard to make your own with some simple woodworking skills.
Walk On
Cassette tapes and CDs were huge steps forward in ways to listen to the music you liked whenever you wanted. Thanks to tape decks and CD players, you could hit play on your favorite tunes anywhere … as long as you could carry the equipment. Thanks to Walkmen and other brands of portable players, eager listeners were soon able to hit the streets with their tunes.
Yet these items were still bulky, prone to damage, and often uncomfortable to wear. New devices like iPods or phones have much more space, more comfortable earbuds or headphones, are smaller, and are even a little hardier against damage – though don't go testing your luck.
Mark the Days Until You Can Get Rid of This Item
Calendars used to be one of the most important items in the home – they reminded you of birthdays and anniversaries, appointments to make, and how many days remained until holidays. All of those functions are now done – in some cases automatically – by the calendar you have on your phone or computer, which means needing a paper calendar is rare.
Some people still like them as something to hang up and enjoy on the wall, and plenty of them still feature fun photos of whatever kind of topic you enjoy. On the other hand, plenty of people have thrown them out and not thought twice.