19 Once-Popular Things Nevadans Have Grown to Hate
Remember when some things were all the rage in Nevada, and now they just make you shake your head?
From foods that no longer tantalize the taste buds to cultural habits that have fallen out of favor, here’s a look at some of the things that Nevadans—and Americans as a whole—have grown to seriously dislike.
Pagers
Remember those little beeping devices that everyone carried around? Pagers were once a lifesaver for busy Pennsylvanians who needed to stay in touch. They were like your own personal “call me back” messengers before cell phones took over.
Nowadays, thinking of a pager leaves us in awe at how far technology has come. According to Statista, pager usage has nearly disappeared since mobile phones took center stage.
It feels like just yesterday that a beep from a pager was the highlight of one’s day. Now, with smartphones doing almost everything, those clunky pagers are more of a nostalgic relic than a practical tool.
It’s funny how something so useful can become almost a forgotten piece of history.
VHS Tapes
Ah, VHS tapes! They used to be the way to enjoy movie nights at home. Families would pile around the VCR, anxiously waiting for their favorite movie to rewind.
It was all fun and games until DVDs and streaming services came along and made those bulky tapes seem ancient. In the first quarter of 2005, sales of VHS tapes dropped by about 40% compared to the previous year due to DVDs becoming the new cool way to watch movies
Of course, DVDs are no longer popular either; DVD sales dropped approximately 86% between 2008 and 2019.
Even though we might chuckle at the thought of rewinding a VHS tape manually, those long, clunky sessions had their own charm. Now, with everything available instantly online, VHS tapes—and DVDs—remind us of a time when watching a movie was an event in itself.
Dial-Up Internet
Dial-up internet brings back a mix of memories and frustrations. Picture this: the screeching sound of a modem trying to connect and the snail’s pace loading of a single webpage.
It was like waiting for a friend who was always running late.
By 2007, more than 70% of Americans who used the internet at home had upgraded to broadband, leaving dial-up behind.
Those days of waiting, listening to that annoying noise, and trying to stay patient are now just stories we laugh about. Sure, it sounds nostalgic, but let’s be honest—nobody misses the constant interruptions and delays.
Selfie Sticks
In the not-so-distant past, selfie sticks were the cool gadget to have when you wanted the perfect selfie. They let you capture more than just your face and made it easier to fit friends into one picture.
But as time went on, they started to get a bad rep, especially in places like museums and concerts. In 2015, some museums, like the Smithsonian, even started banning selfie sticks.
The reason? Safety issues due to people throwing around such long plastic sticks. Many non-selfie stick users also started resenting people blocking their view.
It’s like selfie sticks went from being the trendy accessory to a symbol of annoying behavior, and it’s one of those trends that quickly became a bit too much.
Pet Rocks
Who could forget pet rocks? They were a quirky little fad from the 1970s that turned a simple rock into a novelty “pet.”
People loved the idea so much that millions were sold in 1975, all thanks to a clever marketing twist. It was a fun, tongue-in-cheek way to own a pet without any of the responsibilities.
But let’s be real—after a while, having a rock as a pet lost its magic. The joke wore off, and people Pennsylvanians on to other, more interactive trends. Today, pet rocks are just a funny reminder of how creative (and sometimes silly) marketing can be.
Mood Rings
Mood rings were like having a tiny, colorful mood detector on your finger. They changed color with your body temperature, and people believed they could reveal your true feelings.
It was like a mini science experiment and fashion accessory rolled into one. Within just four months of its release in the 1970s, mood ring sales soared to around $250 million. They then plummeted in the early 1980s.
While mood rings were super fun at first, the novelty faded when everyone realized they were more gimmick than a real window into your emotions.
Now, mood rings are looked back on as a quirky reminder of a time when we all wanted a bit of magic in our lives.
Disco Music
Disco music was the heartbeat of the dance floors in the 1970s. With its groovy beats and flashy outfits, it had everyone shaking what their mama gave them.
But then, the trend took a nosedive. In 1979, the popularity of disco plummeted as people started leaning towards rock and new wave styles.
It wasn’t just the music; events like “Disco Demolition” really hammered home how much people had grown tired of the genre’s over-the-top style.
Today, disco is often remembered with a mix of nostalgia and a bit of a groan—sort of like remembering a dance move you wish you could forget.
MySpace
Once upon a time, MySpace was the go-to social network. Pennsylvanians were busy customizing their profiles, sharing cool music, and showing off photos to friends.
It felt like the ultimate online hangout spot until Facebook and other sites swooped in and stole the spotlight. By 2008, Facebook already had more unique visitors than MySpace, and the tables never turned back.
These days, MySpace is like an old photo album filled with memories of the early internet. It reminds us of a wild, experimental time online that has since evolved into something more polished and refined.
Even though it was a big deal back in the day, most people now stick to newer platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
BlackBerry Phones
BlackBerry phones were once the gold standard for staying connected in the business world. They were known for their secure email systems and became a must-have for professionals.
At one time, BlackBerry even had about 20% of the smartphone market. But as newer phones with flashier features came out, their share dropped to under 2% by 2016.
It’s kind of like watching your favorite band go out of style—technology moves so fast! What was once seen as the pinnacle of mobile communication is now just a reminder of how quickly trends change.
Shag Carpeting
Shag carpeting once made every room look super cozy and fun with its long, fluffy fibers. Back in the 1970s, it was all the rage for living rooms and dens.
But as home design trends evolved, most Pennsylvanians started to view shag carpets as messy and hard to clean.
These days, simpler and sleeker floors win the day. Shag carpeting now feels like a blast from the past, reminding us of a time when bold and comfy was the name of the game.
It’s a fun memory, but definitely not something you’d want in your home today.
New Coke
New Coke is one of those stories that sounds almost too crazy to be true. In 1985, Coca-Cola tried to change its classic formula to give competitors a run for their money.
But fans of the original just weren’t having it—over 85% of Americans said they preferred the old Coke.
The backlash was so intense that Coca-Cola had to bring back the original formula pretty quickly. It’s a wild reminder that sometimes, changing something people love can really backfire.
New Coke is now a funny story that shows how powerful our love for tradition can be.
Mullets
Mullets are one of those hairstyles that people love to hate. They’re short in the front and long in the back, and they ruled the 1980s like no other style.
But as fashion moved on, most Pennsylvanians started to see mullets as just plain awkward.
Nowadays, the mullet is usually the subject of a good-natured joke. Even though some people have tried to bring it back, it’s mostly remembered as a quirky reminder of a time when bold—and sometimes bizarre—fashion choices ruled the day.
Needless to say, the mullet is a style that just never quite fit with modern trends.
Hypercolor T-Shirts
Hypercolor T-shirts were the ultimate fun wardrobe surprise back in the early 1990s. They would change color when you touched them, which sounded super cool at first.
Kids and teenagers loved the novelty, and it seemed like everyone had one. But as the excitement wore off, sales of these shirts dropped from tens of millions to a trickle by 1992, which is also when the company went bankrupt.
Now, hypercolor shirts are mostly a funny throwback to a time when fashion was all about gimmicks. They’re remembered as a fun experiment that just couldn’t stand the test of time.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer used to be the king of web browsers. In the early 2000s, it dominated with over 95% of the market share, making it the go-to choice for surfing the net.
But as browsers like Chrome and Firefox popped up, people started complaining about its slow speeds and security issues. By 2015, its share dropped to under 5%.
It’s a bit like that old friend who just can’t keep up with the times. What was once the top dog in browsing has now become a bit of a punchline in tech history.
These days, everyone’s looking for something faster, safer, and more modern, leaving Internet Explorer behind as a fond, if frustrating, memory.
Roller Disco
Roller disco used to be the place to be if you loved skating and funky beats. In the 1970s and 1980s, skating rinks lit up with neon lights, music, and tons of energy. It was a blast, and everyone seemed to have a great time.
However, interest in roller discos faded over time, with attendance dropping significantly. These days, even regular rolling skating rinks often struggle to survive.
Now, roller discos are more like a cool memory of the past rather than a happening event. While you might still catch a retro-themed party now and then, the days of full rinks and constant jams are mostly over.
It’s fun to look back and smile at the nostalgia, even though it’s not a daily scene anymore.
Fax Machines
Fax machines were once the heroes of office communication. They made it possible to send important documents quickly—at least, that’s what everyone believed at the time.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, many offices relied on fax machines. But thanks to the rise of email and digital tools, you’ll be hard-pressed to walk into an office and see one today.
It’s almost hard to believe that we once thought fax machines were the peak of technology. Now, they’re mostly seen as a reminder of the slower, clunkier days of business.
With emails and instant messaging doing the job so much faster, fax machines have become a quirky piece of office history.
Landline Phones
Landline phones were once a staple in every home. They were the reliable way to call family and friends before cell phones became our constant companion.
At one point, nearly every household had a landline phone, but with the rise of mobile technology, fewer than 30% of American homes have it.
Nowadays, most of us can’t imagine life without our smartphones. Landlines have taken a backseat, remembered fondly by older generations and sometimes mocked by younger ones.
Walkmans
Walkmans were the ultimate way to listen to music on the go. They let you carry your tunes everywhere, from the park to your daily commute. For a long time, they were a must-have for music lovers. B
ut as MP3 players and smartphones took over, the popularity of Walkmans faded away.
There’s something charming about the clunky, portable cassette player that once defined cool. Even though most of us now stream music directly from our phones, the nostalgia for the Walkman lives on.
It reminds us of simpler times when each mixtape was a carefully crafted personal soundtrack.
Portable CD Players
Portable CD players came on the scene right after the Walkman and brought a new level of clarity to music on the go. They were seen as a big upgrade because CDs offered better sound quality than tapes.
Pennsylvanians loved taking their favorite albums with them everywhere they went. But with the advent of MP3s and smartphones, these players quickly lost their charm.
It’s almost like a rite of passage to remember the days of popping in a CD and hearing that crisp sound. Now, the idea of lugging around a CD player seems old school.
The convenience of digital music means that portable CD players are now just a fond memory of a transitional era in music technology.
How much longer before we can say the same about listening to music on smartphones?
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