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Nothing lasts forever, including people's occupations. Manual labor is being replaced by machines, mental labor by computers, and in some professions the need simply disappears. For example, in cinemas, you don’t need to play the piano for a long time, street lamps light up by themselves and you no longer have to ask the “lady” to connect you to the desired subscriber when making a phone call.

website looked into relatively recent history and found out that over the past 100 years we have lost some very popular professions.

Alarm clock man

This profession has been common in the UK since industrial revolution and, according to the BBC, existed in some parts of the country until the 1970s. Alarm clock people, as the name suggests, woke people up for work by banging on their windows with a stick. You probably have a question: who woke up the "alarm clocks" themselves? It turns out that no one: these people slept during the day and were awake at night.

Taper in the cinema

The profession of pianist was in demand in the era of silent films, which required musical accompaniment. Tapers improvised, choosing on the go musical theme according to the events on the screen.

The very name of the profession comes from the English tap, which means “knocking”. Pianists really had to literally hit the keys to get the sound out of cheap pianos, because, as a rule, movie theaters did not spend money on high-quality musical instruments.

water carrier

Surprisingly, you and I live more luxuriously than the royals of the past, and here is one of the reasons: centralized system water supply. Before its appearance, people had to carry water themselves (or send servants for it) or use the services of water carriers. Of course, today there are delivery services. drinking water, but for all other needs we have running water.

Typist

This profession disappeared in the 1990s, when computers and printers took the place of typewriters. But even 30 years ago, typists (as a rule, women were engaged in this work) were in every institution. They typed dozens of sheets of handwritten text a day and had no room for error, otherwise they had to retype the entire sheet again.

Lamplighter

Fun fact: when the first street lamps appeared on the streets of London in 1417 by order of Mayor Henry Burton, for some reason many citizens were against this innovation. Nevertheless, lanterns spread throughout Europe, and for several centuries they had to be lit and extinguished by hand, filled with flammable liquid and cleaned in time.

All this was done by special people - lamplighters, whose profession was in demand until the middle of the 19th century, when gas lanterns replaced oil lanterns, which could be ignited automatically.

Cab

Today, the role of cab drivers on city streets is performed by taxi drivers on "iron horses" - cars. However, in many cities you can still take a ride in a team, as horse riding has turned from a vital necessity into a fun for tourists.

telephone operator

Before the invention of the PBX (automatic telephone exchange), subscribers were connected manually. This was mainly done by girls - “telephone ladies”. And this profession was considered prestigious: girls from good families were accepted as telephone operators, with a pleasant voice, good health, non-scandalous character and tall enough to reach the top of the switchboard.

To understand how complex this profession was, take a look at the manual international switch: it clearly does not look like a simple device. And the telephone operator had only 8 seconds to accept the call and select the desired socket for connecting subscribers.

Lecturer at the factory

Lecturers (or readers) were hired by the factories at the expense of the workers themselves. Their duty was to read books or newspapers in order to entertain people during monotonous work.

With the advent of radio, this profession has gone into oblivion, but there is a place on earth where it still exists and is considered an achievement of non-material culture. It's about about Cuba, where lecturers at cigar factories - lecturers de tabaqueria, - like 150 years ago, they read aloud to workers, and sometimes just talk to them in different topics support them with kind words and advice.

rag-picker

In the XIX-XX centuries. in Europe, Russian Empire and the United States, there were buyers of rags and trash, which served as the primary link in the recycling system. Rag-pickers bought canvas and woolen rags, paper, ropes (they were again made into paper or fabrics), bones, from which glue and fertilizers were produced, as well as washed bottles and corks from them.

The profession flourished: in Paris alone, by 1884, there were about 50,000 rag-pickers. But as industry developed and new technologies were introduced, most of the garbage was replaced by other components (for example, fertilizer began to be obtained not from bones, but from phosphates), manufacturers became more demanding on the quality of raw materials, and the need for rag-pickers gradually disappeared.

Iceman

The practice of harvesting and preserving ice for use in the hot season existed in many countries of the world, but in the 19th century a whole industry appeared for the sale of ice cut from the surface of reservoirs in winter.

In the photo above, you see girls who, during the First World War, mastered the profession of delivering ice to their homes. Judging by the way an ice block is placed directly on the road, at the beginning of the 20th century about hygiene food products weren't particularly worried.

Visual arts

Pre-revolutionary HR, or Forgotten professions on the canvases of Russian artists

The labor market does not stand still. Some professions corrects technical progress others go into oblivion. What occupations were in demand in past centuries? Ofenya, a water carrier, a batman ... We are examining paintings by Russian painters.

water carrier

Sergei Gribkov. Water carrier. 1873

If in a Russian village almost every yard had its own well dug, then in the city it was difficult to get water. In the central regions, water in rivers and ponds was most often undrinkable, so the townspeople had to bring clean water. Delivery was handled by a water carrier. To become one, one had to have a horse-drawn cart or two-wheeled wagon and a large barrel. In St. Petersburg, the color of the barrel spoke of the quality of the water in it: water from the canals was transported in green barrels, and drinking water - in white ones. Often the water carrier was accompanied by a dog: it notified the inhabitants of the arrival of the wagon with a loud bark. IN major cities this profession persisted until the beginning of the 20th century, until a centralized water supply system appeared.

In 1873, the work of a water carrier was captured in his painting by the artist Sergei Gribkov. At that time, this profession was considered prestigious and, importantly, very profitable: this can also be judged by the good clothes of the worker. Water carriers often took advantage of the fact that the townspeople had no choice, and charged them at exorbitant prices.

Batman

Pavel Fedotov. Officer and orderly. 1850–1851

Orderlies were called soldiers of the Russian army, who were in permanent service with an officer in the position of servants. According to historians, the name is derived from the French de jour, which means "orderly, on duty." The batman conveyed the orders of the officer to his subordinates, cleaned his uniform and boots, and, if necessary, acted as a bodyguard. Under Peter I, not only commoners, but also people from a noble family served in this post. The latter, as a rule, carried out the diplomatic and secret orders of the king. This "profession" was abolished in 1881, however, batmen unofficially existed during the Great Patriotic War. Their duties were performed by drivers.

Lamplighter

Leonid Solomatkin. Morning at the tavern. 1873

The profession of a lamplighter in a more simplified form existed in Ancient Greece And Ancient Rome: even then at night the streets were lit with oil lamps and torches. In Russia in the 19th century, retired military men were taken to the position of a lamplighter, who could work night and day. In an hour, they walked around at least 50 lanterns: they adjusted the wicks and poured hemp oil. There was no theft. To stop this, turpentine was added to the oil, and later it was completely replaced with kerosene. With the advent of electric lights, the work was somewhat facilitated, although they were still turned on and off manually. Only after the 30s of the XX century did the automatic ignition of lanterns appear, and this once prestigious profession has sunk into oblivion. In some cities, you can still meet a lamplighter, although this is more an attempt to preserve traditions than a necessity.

In the painting by Leonid Solomatkin “Morning at the Tavern”, you can see how the lamplighter, having climbed the ladder, goes about his business - extinguishing a candle. Each worker also had a long pole with which he lit and refueled the lanterns.

Saddler

Mikhail Klodt. Saddler. 1860s

Blinkers were called eyecups that closed the view of the horse on the sides. This is where the word "blinded" came from - this is the name of people who are unable to accept other points of view. The element of the harness gave the name to the whole profession. However, the master was engaged in the manufacture of all horse ammunition: saddles, bridles, stirrups. Each harness had to be unique. The first saddlers existed in Ancient Rus', and now only rare specialists decorate thoroughbred horses for racing.

A painting by Mikhail Klodt shows a saddler at work. The craft was laborious and required skillful skills. What did it cost to choose the right skin! And it was also necessary to flash the belts, put rivets. Everything was done by hand with the simplest tools. Each craftsman adhered to certain rules. For example, it was possible to bend the arcs only during the summer sap flow, and to dry them only in the shade.

Cooper

Traditionally, wooden barrels are used for pickling cucumbers and aging wine. In the old days, a cooper was engaged in their manufacture. Widespread in Rus', this profession came to naught in the 20th century. Previously, the number of professional coopers reached a thousand people in each province, but now there are only a few of them. Filling the barrels was extremely difficult. Suffice it to recall an episode from a book about Robinson Crusoe: on the island he tried to learn how to make barrels. I pored over for several weeks, knocking together planks, but still I couldn’t do anything worthwhile.

In the painting by Sergei Skachkov, you can see a cooper at work. With the help of an ax and improvised carpentry tools, he attaches wooden or iron hoops to the body. Planks should be knocked down so tightly to each other that they do not let water through.

We live in a world where the rate of change is accelerating exponentially. But with the change in technology, there are changes in the way of life, other knowledge and skills are required.
And it is natural that their own and professions are becoming obsolete. Some move into the category of hobbies and types of recreation, others simply disappear.

So coachmen, chimney sweeps, lapotniks - obsolete professions, representatives of which you almost never meet. Professions such as:

1. Photographers

Once upon a time photography was akin to art. The process from loading the film to developing it and printing pictures becomes a sacred act. I still remember the curtained dark room, witchcraft with a magnifier, a bath pasted over with drying photographs. Photographer was a prestigious profession, only professionals could take a picture for documents, correctly photograph a celebration, photographed children in kindergartens and schools and vacationers in resorts.

And there were not many cameras themselves. But now the time has come digital photography. Now it is enough to press the button and the moment will remain in the figure almost forever. Cameras of various classes have become available, and everyone can feel like a photographer, albeit not a professional one.

2. typists

Ladies typists were a special caste of office and bureaucratic workers. There were even whole typing bureaus, in which there was a rumble of dozens of typewriters with women sitting behind them. their fingers flashed with incredible speed, sheets of paper flew out of the typewriters ...

But the computer has arrived. Yes, you still have to type the text, but now the profession has changed its name, these are now computer typing operators.

3. Telemaster

The first TVs were tube, they were replaced by transistor ones. Then handling the TV was a real art. It was necessary to know your device very subtly in order to poke with the right force and in right place make it show a picture of acceptable quality.

And the body master generally had to be a genius, his task was to solder, change diodes, lamps and resistors. With the transition to microcircuits, plasma and liquid crystals, the need for all these actions has disappeared. Entire blocks are now replaced during repairs. And more often, the entire TV is simply replaced, as this turns out to be much more economical.

4. draftsmen

Of course, there are still draftsmen, but it is already much easier and faster to build a model of the desired node or system in one of the design programs. Such complexes allow you to get a much more detailed idea of ​​the object, simultaneously calculate the cost of materials and equipment, and display any projection.

So gradually the drawing board and drawing paper turn into elements of crossword puzzles, and few people remember what they look like.

On the other hand, the craving for green tourism and the awakened interest in nature stimulate the revival of wood building specialists, as well as blacksmiths, saddlers, etc. Well, there's still a lot left.

5. Crime Scene Cleanup Specialists

Various crimes and accidents happen from time to time. After some of them, corpses, blood and other unpleasant details remain. It is to such places that special cleaners go, whose task is to tear off everything superfluous from furniture, walls, floors and streams, to collect all the blood, hair, tissues, bones, etc.

The work is very risky and unpleasant, because workers try to protect themselves with the help of strong space suits, double gloves, masks and water-repellent shoes.

6. Concrete cutters

Concrete mixers during the day are engaged in mixing the ingredients to obtain concrete, which usually sets quite quickly. As a result, by the evening, huge reservoirs are 50-60% filled with solid cement.

The task of the cutters is to get into the concrete mixer and use a pneumatic hand hammer to clean the tank. They work with heavy tools, chipping huge chunks of concrete, making an incredible roar and covered with cement dust from head to toe.

7. Chick sexing specialist

In poultry production at poultry farms, the technology for growing and subsequent use of chickens of different sexes is very different. This is especially important on egg farms, because only chickens lay eggs, and many roosters are not required. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the sex of the chicken as soon as possible.

This is usually done in the first hours of a chick's life. At the same time, sex can be distinguished by color only in some breeds. More accurate is the Japanese method, according to which you need to examine the genitals in the cloaca. But first you need to release it from the litter by pressing on the stomach. So the workers need to be attentive and patient.

Technologies save us time and make our lives more comfortable, but at the same time, they radically change our habitual way of life, making the previously valued work of people unnecessary.

Once in demand coachmen, scribes, laundresses, chimney sweeps and weavers are unlikely to find work today. It is likely that the professions familiar to us are already in danger of extinction due to the rapid development of technology. So what professions should be afraid of?

website invites you to familiarize yourself with professions that, according to the Atlas of 100 new professions and 30 professions that automation will destroy, released by the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO in cooperation with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, are doomed to oblivion in the near future due to development information technologies and processes of automation and robotization of activities.
So, according to experts, until 2020 the need for the following specialists will be significantly reduced:

1. travel agents
The need for travel agents is already being reduced due to the services available to everyone for the selection of transfers, accommodation, and pastime planning. It is expected that travel agents will remain only in the elite segment.

2. Postmen
Due to the fact that the correspondence has almost completely moved into the virtual space, and the delivery of parcels to short time carried out logistics companies, it is predicted that the postman profession will become a thing of the past.

3. copywriters
The development of technologies is expected to allow programs connected to databases to generate texts on a given topic.

4. Lecturers
Now it seems to many a vestige of the last century that in lectures one has to write down from dictation what can be easily found on the Internet. Due to the growth of available sources of information, the development educational technologies and the general trend to save time, there is no need for lecturers to reproduce information. The authors of the study predict that lectures will be given only by those who either have unique knowledge and experience, or have high artistry and the ability to deal with the audience.

5. Librarians and archivists
The digitization of the repositories of many libraries and archives is already underway. Access to information will be possible at any time. The disappearance of librarians and archivists is predicted, and the transition of archive management activities to network solutions.

6. Call center operators
The authors of the study predict that the functions of operators will be transferred to communicator programs that generate answers to any question on a specific topic based on a database.

7. Estimators
It is expected that the tasks of these specialists will be completely transferred to intellectual programs. In turn, specialists serving these intellectual programs will be required.

8. Stenographers
Will be replaced by voice recognition systems.

9. Ticketers
Their functions will be fully transferred to automated scanners at the entrances to buildings, transport, and various institutions.

After 2020, the following specialists will suffer the same fate:

1. legal advisors
With development legal portals demand for legal advisors is forecast to fall.

2. Notaries
For notaries, the threat is the development of remote access services for paperwork and banking operations.
using an electronic signature. The authors of the study conclude that this profession can be preserved for some time only due to outdated legal norms.

3. Pharmacists
Following the shops household appliances, clothing and food, many pharmacies are moving to online work, as many buyers are able to choose their own medicines via the Internet, either on their own or on the recommendation of a doctor, which leads to a decrease in demand for pharmacist services.

4. Analysts
It is predicted that many analytical services will be replaced by intelligent systems and services.

5. Realtors
Internet real estate databases allow you to select properties by any parameters, reducing the need for intermediaries. It is expected that realtors, as well as travel agents, will remain only in the elite segment.

6. Secretaries
The main functions of secretaries will be performed by organizational intellectual programs, and the replacement of printed documents with electronic ones will also help reduce the need for such specialists.

7. Logistics/dispatchers
In connection with the complication of the transport infrastructure, the increase in cargo and passenger traffic, the increase in requirements for the quality and speed of delivery, they begin to introduce automated systems management and tracking of transportation with the possibility of satellite monitoring, and the role of a person is reduced to control and decision-making in case of emergency situations.
A decrease in the number of dispatchers and logisticians is predicted in the future, and an increase in the intensity and complexity of their work.

8. Bank tellers
It is expected that almost all banking operations will go online and will be as close to the user as possible.

9. Journalists
Despite the creative nature of this profession, the authors of the study predict that journalistic work can also be significantly automated. An example is provided by Bloomberg, which implemented a program in its workflow artificial intelligence, which writes stock news faster and more colorfully than human journalists. It is expected that artificial intelligence will be able to solve tasks related to the media by 95%, and the future of journalism is in original views and approaches.

10. Diagnostics
The authors of the Atlas believe that the functions of this specialist will be completely replaced by microdiagnostic devices that allow a person to take their physiological parameters under any conditions and at any time and instantly transmit data to a specific doctor via the Internet.

11. Drillers, miners, miners
Easily mined minerals are running out, mining in the future will be carried out in difficult or even inaccessible conditions for people. Robots will replace humans satellite systems management, people will work as their operators.

12. System administrators
Troubleshooting and other features system administrators switch to special computer programs.

13. Train drivers
A full transition to unmanned control systems is predicted, the connection of people will be required only in case of force majeure.

14. traffic police inspectors
According to the forecast of traffic police inspectors, intelligent traffic control systems will be replaced.

15. Seamstresses, shoemakers
A decrease in the need for these workers is predicted due to the development of cheap 3D printing, which will allow, over time, to quickly produce clothes and shoes with specified parameters at home.

16. Taxi drivers
Taxi drivers, according to the forecast, will be replaced by unmanned vehicles.

Add in the comment their options, which professions will disappear in the near future!