20 Old-School Photos of People Doing Stuff the Hard Way

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 12/17/2024 in wow

Before the age of computers, anything that involved research, data, numbers, or filing, had to be done the old fashioned way: Pen, paper, patience, and a bit of elbow grease.

So the next time you get annoyed that your internet is cutting out, just remember. Things used to take a lot longer.

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1. Using the Card Catalog
At the library in the 1970s.
2. The Sears Catalog
Assembled by hand. 1930s-1940s.
3. Humans vs. IBM 360
At NASA's Glenn Research Center in 1973.
4. Cards at the Library
Just like a computer.
5. Official FBI Fingerprint Database
During WWII.
6. 4.5 Megabytes of Data
In 62,500 punched cards, USA, 1955.
7. U.S. Census Tabulators
Calculating mortality rates, 1940.
8. Annie Easley
Computer Scientist and Mathematician at NASA Glenn Research Center, 1955.
9. Electric Elevator Desks
In Prague, 1937.
10. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Doing research vital to their investigation on Watergate, 1972-1973.
11. Looking Up Info
Quick and easy, 1970s.
12. NASA Scientists
Doing their calculations.
13. Spectroscopy Research
At the National Bureau of Standards in 1948.
14. NASA Scientists
With their board of calculations. 1960's.
15. Census Bureau Employees
Processing data using an early computer in 1939.
16. Hollerith Electric Tabulator
From the 1908 Census Bureau.
17. Spool of Magnetic Tape
Used for data storage on early model desktop computer, 1970s.
18. Barry Manilow
Working in the file room at CBS, 1965.
19. Rochester, New York: Life Line Counselors
Sitting around a 'lazy Susan' information and reference file at the phone center. May 6, 1979.
20. College Library
Card catalog area, 1971.

1. Using the Card Catalog
At the library in the 1970s.
2. The Sears Catalog
Assembled by hand. 1930s-1940s.
3. Humans vs. IBM 360
At NASA's Glenn Research Center in 1973.
4. Cards at the Library
Just like a computer.
5. Official FBI Fingerprint Database
During WWII.
6. 4.5 Megabytes of Data
In 62,500 punched cards, USA, 1955.
7. U.S. Census Tabulators
Calculating mortality rates, 1940.
8. Annie Easley
Computer Scientist and Mathematician at NASA Glenn Research Center, 1955.
9. Electric Elevator Desks
In Prague, 1937.
10. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Doing research vital to their investigation on Watergate, 1972-1973.
11. Looking Up Info
Quick and easy, 1970s.
12. NASA Scientists
Doing their calculations.
13. Spectroscopy Research
At the National Bureau of Standards in 1948.
14. NASA Scientists
With their board of calculations. 1960's.
15. Census Bureau Employees
Processing data using an early computer in 1939.
16. Hollerith Electric Tabulator
From the 1908 Census Bureau.
17. Spool of Magnetic Tape
Used for data storage on early model desktop computer, 1970s.
18. Barry Manilow
Working in the file room at CBS, 1965.
19. Rochester, New York: Life Line Counselors
Sitting around a 'lazy Susan' information and reference file at the phone center. May 6, 1979.
20. College Library
Card catalog area, 1971.