Old Things Made New Trivia Quiz

The typewriter was one of the first machines that let people write quickly and neatly by pressing keys instead of using a pen. It helped people work faster in offices and made writing easier for many. The typewriter led to the invention of the computer keyboard, which uses the same idea of pressing keys to type.

As technology got smaller and more advanced, keyboards were added to laptops and then to phones. Today, smartphones use touchscreens instead of keys, but the way we type still comes from the old typewriter.

The invention of the pocketwatch allowed people to tell time on the go. They could keep track of their day when they were away from clocks at home, though the watches had to be wound to work correctly. Later, pocketwatches became wristwatches, which were easier to wear and use. Wristwatches evolved, becoming more advanced and doing more than just telling time, as alarms, lights, and other functions were added. Now, people often use a quick check of their smartphone to tell the time with a digital clock display, though smartwatches have also been developed.

Early GPS devices helped people find their way by using satellites to show their location on a screen. At first, they were mostly used by the military, but later they were made for cars and handheld devices. These early GPS units showed maps and gave directions, which made travel much easier. Over time, GPS technology got smaller and better, so it could fit into phones. Today, smartphones use GPS to help people get directions, find nearby places, track deliveries, and even play games like "Pokémon GO."

The calculator was an important tool that made it easier and faster for people to do math. Early calculators were big and used mostly by scientists and businesses, but they got smaller over time and became common in schools and homes. Later, calculators were added to computers, letting people solve math problems while working on other things.

As technology improved, calculators became a part of smartphones. Now, almost every smartphone has a built-in calculator, so people can do math anytime, anywhere, without needing a separate device.

The stock ticker was a machine that printed stock prices on a long strip of paper called ticker tape. It helped people in the early 1900s keep up with changes in the stock market, almost in real time. Before that, they had to wait for news by mail or word of mouth. Later on, stock tickers were replaced by electronic displays and computer systems that showed prices on local screens or televisions.

As technology improved, stock updates moved to the internet and became part of websites and apps. Today, smartphones can show live stock prices, charts, and news at the touch of a finger.

The plate camera was one of the first tools people used to take photographs. It used glass plates to capture images, and taking a picture took a lot of time and effort. Even though it was slow, the plate camera helped people capture precious memories. Cameras later began using film instead of glass, which made them smaller and easier to use.

Then digital cameras were invented, which stored photos on memory cards. Eventually, cameras were built directly into smartphones, allowing people to take high-quality pictures anywhere with just their phones.

The rotary telephone was one of the first phones people used to talk to each other over long distances. To make a call, you had to spin a dial for each number. In later years, push-button phones were made, which were faster and easier to use. After that, cordless phones let people walk around while talking.

Then came mobile phones, which didn't need to be plugged into a wall. Today, the smartphone continues to allow people to keep in contact by using their voices, though they can do much more than make calls.

The e-reader is a device made for reading digital books. It let people carry thousands of books in one small gadget and made reading easier anywhere. E-readers used special screens that didn't hurt your eyes and worked well in sunlight. As smartphones got better, they started to include e-reader apps too, though some people still prefer the special screens and functions that specialized e-readers offer.

Several companies invented their own forms of handheld electronic games. They had simple screens and only one game built in based on a specific theme. For example, one game might have only been a baseball game. Later, more advanced handheld consoles like the Game Boy let people play many games on one device by putting in and taking out cartridges.

As the gaming world became more advanced, these handheld games became more colorful and interactive. Today, smartphones let people play all kinds of games with better graphics, sound, and features enabled by the use of the internet.

The boombox was a popular music player that let people listen to tapes and radio out loud, wherever they went. It had big speakers and could run on batteries, so people could carry it around and share music with friends. Smaller music players like the Walkman and MP3 players were made later on, letting people listen silently with headphones.

As music went digital, people started using their phones to listen, and now smartphones can stream music directly as well as connect to wireless speakers.

The card catalog was a system used in libraries to help people find books. Each card had information like the book's title, author, and where to find it on the shelf. It made searching for books much easier before computers were used. Later, card catalogs were replaced by computer databases that could search faster and hold more information.

These systems eventually became part of the internet, so people could search library collections online. Nowadays, smartphones let people look up books, check if they're available, and even check out digital versions for immediate reading.

VHS tapes and VCRs were used to watch movies and record TV shows at home. Before that, people could only watch shows while they were being shown on TV. With a VCR, they could play movies anytime or record and save their favorite shows to watch later. DVDs and Blu-rays (made in the form of circular discs) were later invented, and they had better picture and sound.

Then came streaming services, which let people watch shows and movies over the internet without needing discs or tapes. Today, smartphones let people stream videos wherever they want.