We see a black and white photograph of the 20th century and nostalgia invades us when we reflect on how things have changed, and proof of this are the missing trades. We tell you about five of them, which were essential for the proper functioning of society.
Typist, one of the missing trades
Have you ever used one of these hulks? The typewriter was invented in the 19th century and was used for most of the 20th century. The person who operated it was called a typist and was indispensable in offices around the world, where he had to write with ease and speed, without having to look at the keyboard. In fact, there was a measure of speed called Words Per Minute (WPM).
However, in the 1980s, computers replaced typewriters and thus typists.
Telegraphist
The telegraph was invented in the first half of the 19th century; it is considered the first form of electrical communication in the world and was the only one at a distance for almost a century. In our country, the first telegraph line was inaugurated in 1851, which revolutionized the social, economic and political life of the country. Due to the great demand for operators that the country required, in 1930 the National School of Telegraphists was created.
Currently, according to data from the Government of Mexico, there are still more than 1,700 Telecomm stores that provide telegraphy services throughout the national territory, but the disuse of this tool and consequently, of its operators is evident.
Telephonists are added to the missing trades
If you’ve seen a movie set in World War II, you’ll remember the operators swapping cables here and there. They were responsible for making the telephone network work, since they connected two people located in different places through a cable and two plugs. However, in the 1980s, the wired telephone system was replaced by computers, marking the end of an era in world telecommunications.
Dairy
More than half a century ago, traditional milkmen were very common in modern Mexico. They traveled on bicycles with a rear basket where they loaded glass bottles with a metal lid and delivered house to house. It was a profession not without danger.
Likewise, consumers exchanged empty containers to receive “fresh milk, direct from the producing farms.” However, it had to be boiled before drinking it to guarantee its good condition.
Lastly, this profession practically saw its end in the eighties, when the plastic bottle that facilitated the transportation of the product became popular and milkmen were replaced by supermarkets.
Apothecary
The profession of apothecary had its peak during the colonial period and until the end of the 19th century. Apothecaries, who made large profits, mixed ingredients such as white arsenic, animals and their parts; roots, spices such as pepper, seeds and resins.
In addition, the pharmacies were located in convents and hospitals. However, at the beginning of the last century, the health authorities replaced the name of pharmacies with pharmacies and the rest is history.
Can you think of any other missing profession?