Time marches on relentlessly, and with every passing second, we age. As we age, familiar aspects of our lives gradually fade away. It’s enjoyable to look back on the past and reminisce about days gone by. The older we get, the more our youthful experiences seem like artifacts from another era. If these artifacts spark recognition, you’re certainly maturing.
Have you ever waited to have a picture developed?
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If the anticipation mixed with the frustration of waiting for film photos to develop sounds familiar, you’re showing your age. If you’ve ever hastened a Polaroid’s development by shaking it, then you’re definitely from an earlier time.
Have you ever cooked a meal in one of these?
Eventually, none of us will need to cook; we’ll simply order our meals from a device like a Star Trek food synthesizer. If you remember using something similar as you age, you might recall the days of traditional cooking.
Have you ever eaten a meal at a table like this?
If you’ve regularly dined at a table that has a retro look, you might be getting older. Alternatively, you could just be a hipster who loves thrifting.
Did you ever play with these?
The game of jacks is becoming a forgotten pastime, meaning future children will luckily never experience the pain of stepping on one. If you’re familiar with this pain, you’re likely not as young as you used to be.
Do you know what used to be put in these boxes?
These boxes were once home to obsolete technology known only to those with a long history of experience.
Can you feel the burn from this?
Growing older brings the pleasure of witnessing advancements in various sectors, like medicine. You might find yourself reflecting on the primitive tools you once used, with either amusement or dismay.
Do you know what these numbers do?
These days, adjusting the speed of your music is just a tap away with modern apps. In the past, your options were limited to the settings on your record player.
Have you ever made popcorn that looks like this?
If you’ve ever made popcorn in a pan so vigorously that it seemed alive, you might consider checking with your doctor about your salt intake—especially if you’re getting on in years.
Have you ever put your foot into one of these before?
Younger generations may be puzzled by this device, once common for measuring shoe sizes using one’s sweaty socks—a somewhat unsanitary process by today’s standards.
Do you know what’s under this doll?
If you recognize the item hidden beneath this doll, you’re likely of a certain age. Not knowing could lead to some surprises in older-styled bathrooms.
Have you ever eaten these?
Seeing this image and craving some classic processed snack cakes definitely shows your age. Perhaps you’d enjoy indulging in one while reminiscing about the past.
Do you recognize this ancient artifact?
If you’ve ever struggled to open a can with this device, you might be getting on in years. It’s so outdated that someone on Reddit’s child thought it was a relic from the Civil War.
Do you know what this item is used for?
Who needs a modern dryer when you could use this old-fashioned method to wring out your clothes? Though admittedly, dryers do the job much better.
Do you know what store this is from?
If you remember which stores these blue lights signify, you’re showing your age. If they look familiar but you can’t quite place them, you might be even older.
Have you ever performed surgery on a shoe?
If you ever polished your shoes with this device, it’s a strong indication that you’re becoming quite seasoned. The art of shoe maintenance isn’t as common as it once was.
Do you know what these are for?
If you can identify these objects, your years are showing. If they look like bizarre tools from the past, you’re still on the youthful side.
What were these used for?
If this image triggers a craving for cheese, age is catching up with you. If not, you might be younger, or perhaps you’re simply not a fan of cheese.
Have you ever performed with a pair of these?
If you were in band and used these during your youth, it suggests two things: you’re aging, and perhaps your musical talents were doubted by your teachers.
Did you have or know someone who had this blanket?
This particular style of blanket was ubiquitous in its time. If you’re familiar with it, you might be from the generation that favored these ‘afghan blankets,’ which are reportedly making a comeback.
Are you able to find something to listen to with this?
If this type of radio is baffling to you, you’re likely young. But if you’ve ever tuned into classic rock with these dials, you’ve got some years behind you—but you still rock!
What does this do?
If you recall the function of this once-standard device on a car’s driver side floor, you possess a wealth of experience. Still, it’s possible to remember these without ever really knowing what they were for.
Have you ever received one of these?
If you ever unwrapped a holiday stocking filled with chocolates and candies, age is catching up with you. It might be wise to check if your teeth can still handle all that sugar.
Have you ever known someone to use one of these?
Today’s youth may stare blankly at this object, unaware that it was once essential for storing contact information. Explain its purpose, and they might still be puzzled about its operation.
Have you ever made coffee with this set up?
Reflecting on past technologies can be amusing; this device was once a standard for brewing coffee. Now, compact machines craft lattes and espressos at the push of a button.
Do you know what this is?
Are today’s youth really without traditional vanity mirrors, relying instead on smartphone apps for their grooming needs?
Do you know what smell this produces?
Not so long ago, children commonly played with cap guns, which produced a loud bang and a cloud of foul-smelling smoke, much to the delight of many.
Have you ever used puddy in a newspaper?
People once used silly putty to mark their place in a newspaper, a quirky method preceding the practice of folding the corner, known as dog-earing.
Have you ever watched a movie on one of these?
Remember these? They connected to special glasses, allowing you to watch stories unfold as if you were in another world.
Have you ever used these in a classroom?
If you attended school when certain teachings were the norm, you might need a refresher, as there have been significant updates since then.
Have you ever spent an afternoon in one of these?
These fixtures, common in parks years ago, provided a modest amusement. They weren’t the highlight of the park, but they were a decent diversion for a short time.
Do you know what is going on with this television set?
If this image of a television confuses you, you’re likely young. For those who recognize it, memories of the hurdles faced just to watch TV might come flooding back.
Do you know what is happening here?
Recognize what’s happening here? If so, you’re gaining years. Fortunately, we no longer need to mend our cassette tapes like this.
Do you know what goes in here?
If you remember the Y2K scare, you know it was a big deal over two decades ago, though it turned out to be much ado about nothing.
What does this contraption do?
One day, this might be a museum piece, intriguing depending on the museum’s focus. It’s known as a “window roller-upper,” a relic from when manual windows were standard in cars.
If you ever had to unfold an album cover to read the lyrics…you might be kind of old
The nostalgia of buying a band’s tape and unfolding the insert to read the lyrics—which might now seem cringe-worthy—is a distinct memory for some.
What video game console is this game for?
If you recognize which gaming console used cartridges like this, you’ve been around for a while. If you’ve ever blown into a Nintendo cartridge to get it working again, you’re from an even earlier era.
Call me when I have unlimited minutes!
If you recall telling friends to call after 9:00 p.m. because your phone minutes were free then, you’re certainly no spring chicken. Hopefully, the savings then are benefiting you now.
Do you remember this game?
While young folks today chase after the latest PlayStation 5, if you find yourself perfectly content with simpler, older games, you belong to an earlier generation.
Have you ever seen one of these on a plane?
If you remember seeing a car phone on a plane, you’ve collected quite a few years. Understanding the term “car phone” adds even more years to your vintage.
Have you ever asked Jeeves anything?
If you’ve ever sought answers from Jeeves, you’re well into maturity. Jeeves was once a beacon against misinformation, long before the current era of rampant fake news.
Do you know what store used to be here?
This image captures the remains of a once-thriving business that has seen better days.
Has anybody said this to you?
If someone needed you to disconnect from the internet so they could use the phone, you’ve been around since the days of dial-up internet.
Have you ever burned your arm on one of these?
In the past, cars were equipped with cigarette lighters and ashtrays in every door, leading to many an accidental burn.
Have you ever planned your whole life with this?
If you planned your future with a game of MASH, you’re showing your age. If you still have those predictions, it might be fun to see how they turned out.
Early texting methods
If you remember when texting involved pressing a button multiple times for a single letter, you’ve witnessed significant changes in communication technology.
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