Obviously the internet, otherwise we wouldn't be here, but what I'm talking about are things that have changed over the years and you wondered how you ever managed! For me it's this little list, and I'm sure I'll remember a few others. In no particular order
1. Automatic kettle - Our first kettle was at least electric but you'd have to actually watch, or listen out for it boiling then literally pull the plug out, our wall sockets didn't have switches on them in those days
2. TV remote control - Ok there was only 3 channels, so channel hopping wasn't really an issue but even so it still would have been handy!
3.Cordless telephone - Our telephone was fixed in the hallway, so a private conversation was not an option unless of course everybody else was out
4. Being able to fast forward and pause live tv - who would have thought? If somebody rang in the middle of corrie, you'd had it! There wasn't even an omnibus edition in those days and with the phone being in the hallway, you couldn't even talk and watch at the same time!
5. Digital photography - Although I've added this, there was something quite exciting about waiting to have your photographs developed. I did have a chunky great polaroid that took instant snaps but I think the replacement films cost more than the camera
6. Gonna have to put in the old tinternet and this is because of emails. I know there's still nothing like receiving a hand written letter from a friend or relative, but for other matters it's great not having to wait for "snail mail" - To be fair though the service was a lot better in those days. First post 7am, 2nd post 11am - These days there's only one and you're lucky if you get it before 2pm!
7. It's got its faults - but satnav. Gone are the days of sitting in the passenger seat with a huge AA book of the road and having screaming arguments with the driver 'cause you've read the map wrong or vice versa cause they misheard you!
1. Automatic kettle - Our first kettle was at least electric but you'd have to actually watch, or listen out for it boiling then literally pull the plug out, our wall sockets didn't have switches on them in those days
2. TV remote control - Ok there was only 3 channels, so channel hopping wasn't really an issue but even so it still would have been handy!
3.Cordless telephone - Our telephone was fixed in the hallway, so a private conversation was not an option unless of course everybody else was out
4. Being able to fast forward and pause live tv - who would have thought? If somebody rang in the middle of corrie, you'd had it! There wasn't even an omnibus edition in those days and with the phone being in the hallway, you couldn't even talk and watch at the same time!
5. Digital photography - Although I've added this, there was something quite exciting about waiting to have your photographs developed. I did have a chunky great polaroid that took instant snaps but I think the replacement films cost more than the camera
6. Gonna have to put in the old tinternet and this is because of emails. I know there's still nothing like receiving a hand written letter from a friend or relative, but for other matters it's great not having to wait for "snail mail" - To be fair though the service was a lot better in those days. First post 7am, 2nd post 11am - These days there's only one and you're lucky if you get it before 2pm!
7. It's got its faults - but satnav. Gone are the days of sitting in the passenger seat with a huge AA book of the road and having screaming arguments with the driver 'cause you've read the map wrong or vice versa cause they misheard you!