That it should happen in our lifetimes

[rolanni]

Steve and I were talking last evening about the jobs that had existed during our lifetimes which exist no more. Here's a partial list, in no particular order:

1. Lamplighter
2. Ice man
3. Pin boy
4. Ayrab
5. Tinker
6. Insurance man*
7. Milk man
8. Secretary**
9. Street sweeper
10. Beat cop

What occupations and jobs have vanished from the world around you?

_________________
* Back in the Day, the insurance man would come to the house weekly, and collect his quarter or half-dollar. Yes, was the legitimate insurance man.

**Actually, secretary seemed to almost die out as a job,the reasoning being that the boss could type his own dern letters if only he was given a computer. Then corporate thinking came back around to the realization that the status of having a live person to do all that silly paperwork for you was priceless, so the occupation has enjoyed a minor renaissance.

Comments

[keristor.livejournal.com]

In the UK we still have milk delivery people (not all men!) in some areas, and "beat cops" (if that means ones who walk around the streets on a beat). I think I only once saw a lamplighter and we didn't have ice men. Delivery people of most other types have pretty much disappeared, though some areas still have coal deliveries (but not on a horse-drawn truck!). Fishmongers and cheese shops are endangered, although there are still some.

Also interesting are jobs which have appeared in the last half century. Some are obvious, like "computer anything". Medical jobs like chiropractor, nutritionist, dietician, loads of types of therapists. Interior designers. Martial arts teachers (yes, many of the martial arts were around 50 years ago but they weren't generally paid jobs with advertisements). Children's TV presenters. Game show hosts.